The breast cancer stamp has two more years to beat Elvis for the title of most popular stamp in postal history -- its creator's goal. So far, 509 million of the stamps have been sold. That's only 8 million less than the Elvis Presley stamp, which was discontinued in 1997. The first-class stamp sells for 45 cents. After production expenses, proceeds go to the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Defense, which dole out research grants.
The stamp is the brainchild of Sacramento surgeon Ernie Bodai. It has raised $36.3 million for breast cancer research since 1998. ``I'm ecstatic,'' Bodai said Tuesday. ``We have two more years of this wonderful fundraising mechanism.'' In the U.S. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The last two years the white lights and multi-colored lights that normally illuminate the Graceland Mansion facade and front grounds were all swithched to pink bulbs to help awareness.
Elvis Losing A Record For A Good Cause?
February 05, 2004 | Other
Jim Semple wrote on
February 10, 2004
Let's put things into prospective, let's hope the Breast Cancer Stamp smashes Elvis's record, it's far, far more important. Good luck.
Kenneth wrote on
February 10, 2004
somehow i don't consider this to be a fair "contest",if that's the proper word for what's happening here. a very famous entertainer up against a very famous disease[a disease which has visited my wife twice]. re release the ELVIS stamp again,and he will defeat the dreaded cancer,just as my wife has. this is such a tragic topic.i have more to say,but i don't know how to do it.
gribz wrote on
February 05, 2004
That is one record Elvis would have gladly given up! breast cancer is an important cause. But the king is still the leader!!!
jeremytcb wrote on
February 06, 2004
I applaud the goal of the stamp, but the record means nothing now. If you can just extend the stamp's run as long as you want, then of course it will eventually win out. But, it will not be fair to say that it is the all-time winner because the criteria is not fair.