CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Lottery today introduced the 10^th edition of its breast cancer awareness instant lottery game, Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, at Loyola University Medical Center, a recent grant recipient of Ticket for the Cure funding. This is the first lottery game of its kind in the United States and remains the only lottery game benefitting breast cancer research.

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Since 2006, Ticket for the Cure has raised more than $9.8 million to support breast cancer research, awareness and education in Illinois. Net proceeds from the sale of the ticket are distributed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which provides grants that fund medical research centers and community organizations across Illinois. The ticket launched today is expected to raise an additional $1 million in funding.  

"If I could personally tell every adult in Illinois that we offer an instant ticket that only costs $2, a ticket that, if you lose, funds breast cancer research and programs in our state, and that if you're lucky could win you $20,000 instantly," said Illinois Lottery Director Michael Jones, "I think everyone would buy one and we would raise a million dollars easily."

In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that more than 11,000 women in Illinois will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. 

"Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer," said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "Funding from Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure will continue to help researchers develop new treatments and increase the odds of survival when breast cancer is detected in later stages."

Last year Loyola University researcher Clodia Osipo, PhD, was the recipient of a $200,000 IDPH grant funded by Ticket for the Cure. "The IDPH grant we received is focused on identifying cell-signaling components that predict breast cancer recurrence and, more importantly, provide new gene targets for better therapies," she said.

"The important work being funded by this ticket may lead to new treatments that will change the lives of our patients with breast cancer," said Larry M. Goldberg, President and CEO, Loyola University Health System.

This specialty game was renamed Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, under legislation sponsored in 2011 by State Senator Mattie Hunter and signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn. It is named for former Illinois Lottery Superintendent (2003-2007) Carolyn Adams, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 44.

Tickets are available at Lottery retail locations statewide. Each ticket costs $2 and has top prizes (4) of $20,000.

Click here for information about breast cancer and screenings in Illinois.

Contact: IDPH: Sabrina L. Miller 312-814-8194 (o), 312-519-1974 (m)Illinois Lottery: Chanele Newton 312-368-5814 (o), 312-618-6174 (m)

SOURCE Illinois Lottery

RELATED LINKShttp://www.illinoislottery.com