The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

We are dedicated to curing breast cancer at every stage – from the causes to the cures, to the pain and anxiety of every moment in between.

Empowering people:  In over 25 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has become the largest grass roots organization in the world, with over 75,000 volunteers working in 125 affiliates to raise over 1.3 billion dollars toward the goals of the Komen promise.  The Race for the Cure® is the largest fund raiser for the organization.  It was the first race for a cause ever, beginning in Dallas in 1982 with 800 women participants and now seeing millions of men and women running and walking for a cure.

Ensuring quality care for all:  Up to 75% of net profits remains in the local affiliate’s service area to fund grants for screening, treatment and education with focus on the underinsured and underserved.

Energizing science to find the cures: At leat 25% of net profits goes directly to the highly regarded Komen Research and Awards programs.  None of these funds are used for administrative costs.  Grants are awarded via a blind evaluation process to scientists around the world to fund innovative research toward better treatment and finding cures for the many types of breast cancer.  Awards are given to those with proven success.

Much progress has been made in 25 years, from the time when a diagnosis of ‘the big C’ meant at worst at death sentence or at best a woman would lose chest and arm muscle, to treatment with lumpectomy and short courses of radiation and/or chemotherapy.   With early detection, the survival rate is now over 95%.  Still, we have a long way to go to assure that breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.  With the dedication of our volunteers and support of our sponsors and local communities, we continue to work diligently towards the Komen vision:  A world without breast cancer.