Virginia To Raise Funds for Catastrophic Illness Fund This Weekend

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) on April 2 signed a proclamation declaring April 7 a "day to raise awareness and money" for the state's Uninsured Medical Catastrophe Fund, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. The fund, established in 1999 by the General Assembly, pays for medical treatments for uninsured victims with serious illnesses, such as cancer. Virginia residents have two ways to donate to the fund -- they can either donate a portion of their state tax returns or contribute to the fund directly. Organizers have given the fund-raising day the theme "Turning Darkness Into Light" because it falls on the day when daylight-saving time takes effect (Orth, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/3).