Time is running out to support Alzheimer’s disease research and care through the purchase of a special stamp via the U.S. Postal Service.
It was almost two years ago now that service released the stamp, which depicts an older woman in profile with a hand on her shoulder, to raise awareness and research funds.
The first-class “semipostal fundraising stamp” now costs $0.65, which is $0.10 more than the first-class postage rate of $0.55 for Forever stamps. The amount not used to cover postage and “reasonable costs incurred by the Postal Service” goes to the National Institutes of Health.
According to the Postal Service, $953,000 had been raised for Alzheimer’s through July 31, with 7.1 million stamps sold.
A spokeswoman for the postal service told me that 500 million of the stamps were printed, and no plans exist as of now to print more. They’re scheduled to be sold through this November.
Some members of Congress would like to extend the effort for six more years.
In the Senate, Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced S. 1728, which has more than 20 co-sponsors — Democrats and Republicans — for that purpose. In the House of Representatives, H.R. 3113 was introduced by Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and has a combined 88 co-sponsors from both political parties.
Despite the apparent widespread bipartisan support, however, neither piece of legislation has moved since being introduced in early June.
If you’d like to see sales of the stamp extended, contact your members of Congress to convey your wish.
If supporting Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research in this way is important to you, then buy up while you can.
