On Dec. 12, 2007, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act extended through Dec. 31, 2011, provisions requiring the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp which contributes funding to breast cancer research.

In addition, it required the NIH and the U.S. Department of Defense to annually report to Congress and the Government Accountability Office on the use of any such funding, including a description of any significant advances or accomplishments. (P.L. 110-150).

The ‘Breast Cancer Research’ (BCR) stamp was created by the U.S. Congress with passage of “The Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act of 1997. First issued on July 29, 1998, the BCR Stamp was the country’s first fundraising stamp.