Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is now known as the "Susan G. Komen for the Cure". It is also often referred to simply as Komen. It is considered to be the largest, most widely known and the best funded breast cancer organization in the United States.

The organization has invested about $2 billion in research of breast cancer, health services, support, education and advocacy programs. The reach of the organization runs far beyond Unites States and covers more than 50 countries worldwide. The health organization is also listed on the Charity Navigator and has obtained the highest 4 star rating that is possible. Based on the report from Harris Interactive 2010 EquiTrend annual brand equity poll, Komen was the most trusted of all nonprofit organizations in the United States.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and Komen aims at reducing this burden of breast cancer at a global level. Some of the fundraising activities that the organization is involved in include cause marketing and specific events that are held each year. Among them are Susan G. Komen race for the Cure, Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure and Susan G. Komen Bowl for the Cure. There is also a mobile donating campaign that the organization manages to make it easier for individual donors to give.

The organization has played a critical role in the major advances made in the area of breast cancer since its inception. The impact has been felt in the manner in which the world talks about breast cancer also a change in the manner in which it is treated. It has made early detection possible by organizing awareness drives among women and has led to more hope for survival.

Purpose

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was created with a singular objective of finding a solution for breast cancer in order to end breast cancer around the world. The organization continues to fight against the disease every minute to finish what they started many years ago. Their end objective is to see a world without breast cancer.

While the research work that the scientists undertake continues, the foundation attempts to do other things in order to make life easier for those who are affected. Providing all the information that is available with regards to management, treatment options and cure are part of the work that the foundation does. In addition to that, the organization has also been effective in ensuring early detection by increasing the proportion of women who receive mammography above the age of 40.

The organization has become one of today's largest network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives and empower breast cancer patients so that their lives can become richer and fuller. The organization believes that they are extremely close to end this fight against breast cancer and they need to continue their efforts to be able to reach there.

The organization also believes in being transparent about the manner in which the funds are used. It publishes the annual report online and acknowledges the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. The bureau is an advocate for the Standards of Charitable Solicitations.

The organization uses various methods in its pursuit for funds. The organization does not just raise funds and then deploy them in some research that is never revisited again. The organization believes in creating activists of all the people that it involves in their fight. They ensure that the funds are deployed efficiently and that there are concrete results that emanate from the efforts that everyone has put in.

History

Susan Goodman Komen was born in 1943 and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She lived with the condition for 3 years after which she passed away. Susan's sister Nancy Goodman Brinker felt that the situation could have been avoided if people knew more about the manner in which breast cancer should be treated and cured. She made a promise to her sister that she would do all that was in her power to end breast cancer and to help find a cure for the condition. It was Nancy Goodman Brinker who founded the Susan G. Komen foundation that works towards removing breast cancer from the world.

The organization has never stopped in its fight against breast cancer. The organization has been a part of all the milestones that have been achieved in this area. More than 75 percent of women over 40 receive regular mammograms, the most effective way in which breast cancer can be detected early. The numbers were far lower before 1982 when it was just close to 30 percent.

Only 74 percent of the women diagnosed with breast cancer could expect to live for 5 years during 1982. This survival rate has now gone up to 98 percent. With the efforts of the organization and advocacy, the federal government devotes more than $900 million to breast cancer each year. There is research being carried out in this area to find more effective treatment options, prevention methods and various other cures for the condition.

The largest numbers of cancer survivors in America are breast cancer survivors, a number that is close to 2.5 million in America. The foundation is run by professional people who continue to fight against breast cancer in every way that they can. This involves fund raising, hiring talent for breast cancer research, creating awareness about the disease and ensuring that early detection can help matters.

Explore Related Categories