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*The Power of a Promise
—Twentieth Annivarsary of the Komen Foundation *Former U.S. First Lady Betty Ford Congratulates the Komen Foundation on its 20th Anniversary The National StorySuzy 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:
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