The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
For more than 20 years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of U.S. and international Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure ®, the Komen Foundation is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world.
In the nine years it has hosted the Komen Race for the Cure, the Tulsa Affiliate has awarded more than $1.9 million in local and national grants. Last year, more than 6,500 participants raised $546,000 in pledges and contributed countless volunteer hours. In January 2006, grants totaling $340,000 were awarded to a variety of qualified Tulsa-area organizations, including Y-ME of Northeastern Oklahoma, Inc.; Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa; and Project Woman, Inc. This enables Komen Tulsa to make a huge impact on breast cancer education, screening, research and treatment for the underserved in Tulsa and the surrounding communities. Up to 75% of the net proceeds remain in Tulsa and 25% of the net helps to fund breast cancer research and projects grants through the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program. Komen Tulsa awarded approximately $100,000 toward national research in 2006.
Susan G. Komen’s Story
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was founded on a promise made between two sisters — Susan Goodman Komen and Nancy Goodman Brinker. Suzy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978, a time when little was known about the disease and it was rarely discussed in public. Before she died at the age of 36, Suzy asked her sister to do everything possible to bring an end to breast cancer. Nancy kept her promise by establishing the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982 in Suzy’s memory.
Volunteers
The Komen Foundation is about people — people who are committed to making a difference to put an end to breast cancer. More than 75,000 people make a difference in their communities by volunteering with Komen Affiliates.
