Sales help stamp out breast cancer

Around the beginning of October each year, Eugene Platt walks into the Central Park Road post office and buys more than $1,000 worth of stamps. And while it's true that he loves to write letters instead of e-mails, his annual purchase has a more meaningful purpose.

Sophia Rodriguez/The Post and Courier

Eugene Platt waits in line at the Central Park Road post office last week to buy his annual batch of breast cancer stamps in honor of his late wife. Post office managers put up a sign to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Ever since Platt's wife, Mary, died in 2003 of breast cancer, he has bought the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamps in bulk during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The stamp is semipostal because it's a 55-cent stamp, with the additional 14 cents going toward breast cancer research. The cause is now near and dear to Platt's heart.

"It perpetuates the memory of a beautiful person who died too soon at the age of 51," he said.

On Oct. 1, Platt, a James Island Public Service District commissioner and local poet, bought 2,364 stamps at a cost of about $1,300.

"There has never been an ongoing effort like his," said Harry Spratlin, a communications coordinator for the Postal Service. "I've never received information from anyone that any one person buys this many at one time, and I've asked around."

Mary Platt was diagnosed with the disease nearly five years before she died. Platt said that even though watching his wife battle cancer was difficult, he felt they formed an even stronger bond because of the experience. He says it's important people know that breast cancer does not just hit women in their 60s and 70s.

"I think that underscores the risk and danger of the cancer — dying at such a young age," he said.

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@postandcourier.com.