Since the Breast Cancer Awareness special group recognition (SGR) license plate was first made available in 2002, more than $5.5 million has been distributed by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) through competitively awarded grants to organizations throughout Indiana for innovative projects for breast cancer screening, diagnostic and support services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations in Indiana. In addition, $80,000 has been awarded in scholarships to incoming and current college students who have lost a parent or who have a parent currently battling the disease.

These dollars have even supported patients locally at Good Samaritan’s Breast Care Center. Recently, the breast care center was granted more than $11,000. This money will be used to pay for screening mammograms and diagnostic breast imaging and biopsies for uninsured and underinsured patients. Patients unable to pay for their mammogram can call Good Samaritan’s Breast Care Center to see if they qualify for financial assistance at 812-885-3627.

The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and support services throughout Indiana. Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana breast cancer awareness special group recognition license plate by visiting any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch, online at IN.gov/BMV, or on a BMV Connect kiosk for an annual $40 fee, $25 of which is a direct tax-deductible donation (to the extent of the law). The plate may be purchased for display on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, trucks with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds, and recreational vehicles.

The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness SGR license plate was the brain-child of the late Nancy Jaynes, a Plymouth (IN) High School family and consumer sciences teacher. Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer in March of 2008. Her vision that the license plate be a traveling billboard and reminder about the importance of early detection of breast cancer is alive and making a difference to thousands of Hoosiers.

For more information on the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust and the programs it funds, please visit www.BreastCancerPlate.org or call 866-724-2228.