After treating thousands of patients with breast cancer Dr. Ernie Bodai, Kaiser-Permanente Breast Center, became frustrated at the pace of funding for research. In a remarkable one-man lobbying effort he was able to convince Congress and the U.S. Postal Service to issue the Breast Cancer Research Stamp – the first ever stamp in U.S. history that sells at more than face value (45 cents) with the surplus amount donated directly to breast cancer research. Over 900 million stamps have been sold raising over $60 million for crucial research. He is currently introducing the first ever “global stamp” raising awareness and funding to conquer the disease worldwide. To date twelve countries have begun work on this important project. Together we will find a cure in the near future – that is his hope. Breast Cancer Research Stamp The Breast Cancer Research semi-postal was issued on July 29, 1998, at a first day ceremony held in the White House. It was the first semi-postal in U.S. history. To date, the stamp has raised nearly $55 million for breast cancer research. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense. Designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, the stamp features the phrases, "Fund the Fight" and "Find a Cure" and an illustration of a mythical "goddess of the hunt" by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.