I felt sadness that Carol Felixson is ashamed (or as she called it "ambivalent") to express her patriotism ("Red, white and blue in post-Sept. 11 America," Feb. 12). I came to this country from El Salvador. I have enjoyed the freedom and the opportunities available here. I became a citizen as soon as I could and do not have any qualms about displaying my gratitude and pride to be a citizen of the best country in the world. That feeling does not diminish others. I guess Ms. Felixson, whom I guess never experienced the horror of not having freedom, has imposed her own enslavement. Sad!

To the Editor:

I want to make a special appeal to those readers who have not yet filed a state income tax return. Specifically, I would like to draw their attention to line 56 on the 2001 California Income Tax Return Form 540. Line 56 provides an opportunity to make a donation from your tax refund --or add to your tax bill a contribution --to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. Administered by the University of California, this program spearheads research efforts into the causes, prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.

In 2002, it is estimated that more than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in California alone, and more than 4,200 women in the state will die of the disease. More than half of these deaths will occur in women younger than 65, in the prime of their lives.

When the program was created in 1993, the Legislature designated that it could receive revenue from a two-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes. In 1997, the Legislature added contributions from the state income tax return donation check-off program. We have raised approximately $15 million each year from these two sources.

I am checking line 56 and encourage you to do the same. Make a donation --no matter how large or small --to the California Breast Cancer Research Fund. You will thank yourself for joining in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer.