Along with several ovarian cancer survivors and NOCC representatives, Teal It Up Foundation Board Members Lisa McCauley and Rachel Karls-Gomes had the privilege to attend the bill signing ceremony.
Taking action to help keep more Arizonans healthy and support critical nonprofit organizations, the governor signed H.B. 2208 on August 9, 2022. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kelli Butler, establishes ovarian cancer awareness license plates that anyone can put on their vehicle. Of the annual $25 fee to have the plate, $17 will be donated to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
“Too many women die of undetected ovarian cancer. It’s important to remind women to get checked early to stop this deadly disease,” said Rep. Butler. “This legislation will save lives by providing funding to support women and increase early detection. Many thanks to Governor Ducey for his help in raising awareness for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment.”
It’s estimated that this year alone, over 19,000 cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed, and over 12,000 women will lose their lives because of this horrible disease. The five-year survival rate is over 93 percent when ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages, yet only 20 percent of all cases are found early. (*Learn more here)
With the support of the newly created license plate fund, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition is working to help support women managing this disease and promote early detection.
The signing of HB 2208 is just the beginning of the process. The special license plates will become available to all Arizonans within 10-12 months.