| KOMEN HISTORY  Susan G. Komen for the Cure® 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 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in 1982.
More than 25 years later, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is a global leader in the breast cancer movement and is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of more than 100,000 survivors and activists in 125 cities and communities. With nearly $1 billion invested to date, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the world's single largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to curing breast cancer at every stage – from the causes, to the cures, to the pain and anxiety of every moment in between. Working with grassroots activism and events such as the Komen Race for the Cure®, the world's largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer, the Komen organization has promised to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. In order to ensure their funds are making the greatest impact, Komen Affiliates work with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments. These community profiles are then used to establish local grant application and review processes consistent with the Komen's high standards and promise. Last year, Komen Affiliates granted more than $30 million to support community-based education, screening and treatment programs. PITTSBURGH AFFILIATE - HISTORY The first Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure®, held in 1993, was organized by National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) volunteers Laurie Moser, Eileen Lane and Pat Siger. The Pittsburgh Race was locally organized by NCJW from 1993 to 2005. It has become an annual Mother's Day tradition for thousands of residents from the tri-state area. The National Council of Jewish Women continued to organize the race as one of many programs they sponsor until 2005 when Pittsburgh became an Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
What began with a goal of attracting 1,000 participants in its first year has grown into an event to celebrate and remember special women in the lives of more than 36,000 individuals, and it is now in its 16th year. As we continue to meet the changing needs of the community we serve, our PROMISE remains same: to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Each year, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pittsburgh Affiliate is the recipient of hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. These contributors invest their money and their faith in us, trusting that we will allocate their generous gifts as grants to the organizations and programs that best serve our community.
In addition to the millions of dollars in funding for the Mammogram Voucher Program and education and outreach programs throughout the 30 counties we serve, race funds have been used to purchase portable mammography equipment, fund fellowships in women’s imaging, and fund scholarships for technicians administering mammograms. Additionally, the Affiliate funds programs to reach out to underserved populations.
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