The National Story
 Suzy Komen’s life could not be saved, but the crusade she inspired
might one day save yours.
In 1980, Susan G. Komen made a dying request to her younger sister, Nancy
Brinker—alert
women across the nation that breast cancer can strike any one at any time.
Mammograms and breast self-examinations are important for all women.
Susan died at age 36 after a three-year battle with breast
cancer.
Following Susan's spirit to help other women combat the disease,
Nancy established the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
When the Komen Foundation started in 1982, polite women did
not talk about breast cancer. It is hard to fight a disease
people won’t even mention in it in public. One of Komen's
earliest efforts was getting the subject out in the open, so
the Foundation could confront breast cancer head on.
Komen's success at raising public awareness of the disease
paved the way for education programs and treatment innovations.
Today, we discuss breast cancer the same way we fight it: with
commitment, energy and passion. The Komen Foundation is a national
leader in the fight against breast cancer. It represents thousands
of volunteers across the nation and in three international
countries.
Most people know the Komen Foundation as the "Race for
the Cure® people." The Race is the largest series
of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. Since its organization
in Dallas in 1983, the Komen Race Series has grown to include
over 109 cities nationwide and three internationally. More
than one million participants have raised over $136 million
for local and national breast cancer research and programs.
With so much effort behind each dollar raised, the Komen Foundation
is particular about where those dollars go. That’s why
it seeks out promising research that might never happen without
Komen's support.
Each year, hundreds of researchers seek grants for breast
cancer studies. Unfortunately, not all important projects get
the funding they deserve. Part of our mission at the Komen
Foundation is to keep promising research from being shelved.
The money we raise through our programs and events keeps the
fight against breast cancer moving full speed ahead.
Additional information about Komen as a national and local
organization can be obtained at:
1-800-IM-AWARE
the national website: www.komen.org
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