Susan G. Komen For The Cure - People Who Care
The iconic pink ribbon symbolizes hope, strength, unity and commitment for all those involved in the fight against breast cancer. With October designated "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," it's fitting that we feature a charity dedicated to imagining a world without breast cancer... Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
It started simply enough: Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, who was stricken with the deadly disease, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" and thus launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, "Komen for the Cure" is the world's largest grassroots-network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, they have invested more than $1 billion to fulfill their promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Founder Nancy G. Brinker states, "We create activists - one person, one community, one state, one nation at a time - to try and solve the number one health concern of women. I am so proud of the work done by the Komen Affiliates who reach into their communities to keep the subject of breast cancer high in the public consciousness. With the help of Komen Affiliates, corporate partners, individual donors, Komen staff and activists, we've saved millions of lives, making the two million breast cancer survivors the largest group of cancer survivors today..."
Several fundraisers have established Susan G. Komen for the Cure as the most recognized charity in bringing survivors and breast cancer advocacy to the millions of people affected by the disease. One of their major philanthropic events is the "Breast Cancer 3-Day," a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a difference in the fight against the disease. Participants walk 60 miles in three days and help raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research and patient support programs. Each night of the event, walkers retire to an incredible caravan of mobile sleeping tents and warm showers, where they can eat, relax and renew their spirit with their fellow walkers. The Breast Cancer 3-Day, is more than just a fundraiser -- it is an emotional and powerful experience, one that offers the tools that engage millions of people who give a face and voice to the global breast cancer movement.
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is only one of many events that take place throughout the year. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has innovative fundraisers and educational tools such as Passionately Pink for the Cure, Art for the Cure and Komen on the Go.
To date, the nonprofit has invested $1 billion in research, education and health services promise they will invest an additional $2 billion over the next decade, to continue breast cancer research and support programs.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure website has a myriad of valuable resources that offer information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatments, support and complementary therapies that aid in the healing and survival of the disease, along with their Co-Survivor Program and Breast Care Helpline, to ease the anxiety of what can be a very scary time, and makes simple support more accessible and specific to individual diagnoses.
Many famous faces act as ambassadors for this great organization, including dear friend, René Syler, whose mother and father were both diagnosed and survived the disease. Other famous Komen Ambassadors include Cynthia Nixon and Gabrielle Union. Gloria Gaynor, James Woods, Andie MacDowell, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Five for Fighting, along with many others, participate in Susan G. Komen for the Cure's efforts nationwide.
Powerful women the world over have united in this fight against breast cancer and each of these women has a story to tell. For example, meet Eve Selis and Mattie Mills, two of San Diego's favorite local celebrities, Susan G. Komen for The Cure advocates, and authors of "Forty Schmorty". With a friendship lasting almost twenty years they have taken the shared wisdom of their lives - the triumphs and the disappointments, the hard knocks as well as the joys - and distilled them all into a fun and inspiring book that argues against the concept of "over the hill". We are proud to call these amazing women friends and love them dearly for their wit; insight, unwavering determination, enormous talent and their playful take on life ...in that it keeps happening!
"If 20 is sexy and fresh and talented, we're TWICE as 20! We're wiser, tougher, smarter, twice as skilled and twice as sexy. 40 over the hill? Not by a long shot. You better make it 80, 'cause we're the youngest of the Baby Boomers and we've got some serious bang left."
Eve & Mattie
Enjoy their story, shop for it at www.fortyschmorty.com and stay in the fight by shopping for a cure now...
