Contact: Jeff Barbosa
(916) 319-2020

SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly voted 62-0 Friday to approve a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on their income tax returns to the California Cancer Center Fund.  The bill will go to the Governor for his consideration.

Assembly Bill 2518 would allow the voluntary contributions to generate new research to combat cancer, increase cancer prevention strategies, and help survivors live longer, better lives.  

“This bill will provide Californians with a convenient and easy way to contribute to this cancer fund to improve educational outreach and prevention strategies,” Torrico said.

Under AB 2518, the University of California would award grants to study the causes and treatment for cancer, and build awareness, including among populations who are disproportionately at risk. 

The fastest growing age group in the state over the next 12 years is expected to be Californians over the age of 65.  In the years between 2000 and 2020, the age group is expected to increase by 2.7 million people. 

More than one million Californians have cancer and an additional 142,000 will be diagnosed with cancer this year.  During the year, 53,000 people will succumb to the disease. 

To stay on the income tax return’s voluntary contribution section for a maximum of five years, the fund must receive a minimum of $250,000 in contributions per year.

AB 2518 is supported by the Northern California Cancer Center, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Stanford Cancer Center, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, the City of Fremont, Fremont Bank, and several other organizations.