Governor Quinn Unveils 2012 Carolyn Adams ‘Ticket for the Cure' Lottery Ticket

CHICAGO - May 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled the new Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure lottery scratch-off ticket at the Y-Me "Race at Your Pace" breast cancer walk in Chicago's Grant Park. The ticket has raised more than $8.5 million since it was first launched in 2006, and all net proceeds fund vital community outreach, education and research in the fight against breast cancer.

"Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "This Mother's Day and every day, we must do everything possible to raise awareness and fight this terrible disease. I urge all Illinois residents to buy this new ticket and support the breast cancer organizations that are providing critical outreach and education statewide."

Launched in January 2006, the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure was the nation's first lottery ticket dedicated to helping fund breast cancer research and community outreach through early detection, education and patient services statewide. Carolyn Adams was a former Illinois Lottery director who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 44.

"Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer, and access to treatment once detected is critical," said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, Illinois Department of Public Health acting director, who attended the unveiling. "Funding from the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure lottery ticket will continue to help researchers and community organizations work on education and outreach, and increase survival rates through new treatments."

Through the Illinois Department of Public Health Office of Women's Health, more than $5.1 million in Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure grants have been awarded to 148 community organizations throughout Illinois, and more than $2.5 million in grants have been granted to 12 institutions for research.

"The Illinois Lottery is pleased to provide specialty games like the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, so Illinoisans can make critical contributions to support breast cancer and other vital health and veteran assistance programs," said Illinois Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones. "Purchasing Ticket for the Cure is a gratifying way to demonstrate support for breast cancer organizations and honors the memory of Carolyn Adams, who is responsible for making Ticket for the Cure a Lottery mainstay."

Governor Quinn was joined by Carolyn Adams' mother, Harriet Van Pelt, Carolyn's son, Tre, State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who sponsored legislation establishing the ticket, and numerous breast cancer organizations.

Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure tickets are currently available at Illinois Lottery retail locations statewide. Each ticket costs $3 and has a top prize of $40,000. For more information about the ticket, visit www.illinoislottery.com, and for information about breast cancer and screenings in Illinois visit www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/breastcare.htm and cancerscreening.illinois.gov.