History

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and commitment to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.

Though Susan lost her battle with the disease, her legacy lives on through the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the organization Nancy started in her honor. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since its inception in 1982. Komen’s 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.

Across the country, that promise is upheld by a network of 122 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

About The Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

The Northeast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, or Komen Northeast Ohio, is part of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Our Mission is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. 

In March 2010, Komen Northeast Ohio was honored as the “Affiliate of the Year” by the national organization in recognition of the effective stewardship of donor funds and impact in the community.  Komen Northeast Ohio serves 22 counties in Northeast Ohio by funding breast cancer education, screening and survivor support programs. Seventy-five percent of the funds received remain here in Northeast and the remaining 25 percent helps fund national research to discover the causes of breast cancer and ultimately its cures.

Since 1994, Komen Northeast Ohio has raised $17 million to provide funding and support to Northeast Ohio agencies working to end breast cancer. As excellent financial stewards, general administrative and overhead expenses, excluding fundraising expense, are held to less than 10%.  In 2010-11, Komen Northeast Ohio distributed nearly $1.5 million to 24 agencies in the local community and will invest over $275,000 in its own educational programs.  

Each year the Komen Race for the Cure raises significant funds and awareness for breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. 2010 marked the 17th Annual Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure.  

Our Promise

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