We walk for the people who can't.
For those too weakened by
treatment to join.
For those who are suffering.
For those we have lost.
Our Mission
About Susan G. Komen
In 1980, Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became the Susan G. Komen® organization and the beginning of a global movement. What began with $200 and a shoebox full of potential donor names has grown into the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for the fight against breast cancer. To date, we’ve invested nearly $3.6 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 60 countries.
How we're helping
Susan G. Komen is the ONLY organization that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts including research, community health, outreach and public policy initiatives in order to make the biggest impact against this disease.
Drive
Research
INVESTED NEARLY
$1.1b
IN BREAST CANCER RESEARCH SINCE 1982
Research is one of our best weapons against breast cancer. It’s fueled our knowledge of breast cancer and helped us understand that breast cancer is not just a single disease but many diseases, unique to each individual. Your fundraising dollars have helped us invest in:
- 2800 research grants in 47 states, the District of Columbia and 24 countries
- Nearly 550 clinical trials
- More than 200 research advocates
- Launching ShareForCures, a breast cancer research registry that will help us discover the cures for breast cancer, faster
Komen is the world’s leading breast cancer organization, investing more in research than any other nonprofit and second only to the U.S. government.
Learn more about Komen funded research at https://www.komen.org/about-komen/our-impact/breast-cancer/research/
Provide
Care
MORE THAN
220K
RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
Your fundraising dollars help Komen provide direct support to people with concerns about breast cancer through the Komen Patient Care Center, including:
- 1x1 support from a patient navigator who can provide information about breast health and breast cancer, access to high-quality care, and education about clinical trials and more.
- The Komen Financial Assistance Program, which helps those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals.
And more! Learn more about the Komen Patient Care Center at www.komen.org/PatientCareCenter.
If you or a loved one needs help or more information, contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or helpline@komen.org. Se habla Español.
Unify
Community
UNITED WITH
30M
ACROSS OUR BREAST CANCER COMMNITY
Breast cancer by-the-numbers:
- More than 300,000 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
- Over 42,000 people in the U.S. are expected to die from breast cancer this year.
- Black women in the U.S. are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
Komen is committed to achieving health equity and eliminating breast cancer inequities by breaking down the barriers that create poor breast health outcomes through a variety of proven interventions.
Learn more about Komen’s health equity work at komen.org/standforher
Take
Action
MOBILIZED
108K
TO ADVOCATE FOR PATIENTS' RIGHTS
Your fundraising supports critical work to take action through public policy to end breast cancer.
- Komen serves as the voice for the breast cancer community by advocating for policies that accelerate research; ensure timely access to high-quality care; and alleviate systemic and financial burdens for all populations.
- At the federal and state levels, Komen’s Center for Public Policy works to secure more than $1 billion in government funding for breast cancer research and critical breast cancer safety net programs annually.
Only through informed government action can we make the broad, systemic and lasting change we need to help us achieve our vision of a world without breast cancer. By mobilizing our communities to take action, we can ensure the voice and needs of breast cancer patients and their loved ones are heard by policymakers and government regulators.
Learn more about Komen’s Center for Public Policy at https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/advocacy/center-for-public-policy-lp
Our stories fuel our passion. Together, we will fight back against breast cancer.
Every participant at the Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk has a story to tell about why they are part of our event. On event day, our group is made up of people impacted by breast cancer, including survivors and those currently in treatment. We walk next to those living with metastatic breast cancer and share laughter and tears with caregivers and co-survivors. Most importantly, we rally around those who have lost loved ones and listen as they share the stories of those we have lost, but who are never forgotten.
We are honored to share some of those stories here and we invite you to share the story of why you walk and fundraise with us to help find the cures to one day create a world without breast cancer.
Meet Julie, Breast Cancer Survivor and Walk Participant
“Several years after my first breast cancer diagnosis and genetic testing, I learned I had an inherited gene mutation that would likely lead to a second diagnosis. That came in 2021, and I’m happy to be cancer free. Supporting the MORE THAN PINK Walk is more than just celebrating my survivorship; it’s about raising funds that will help researchers improve their knowledge of genetics and breast cancer so that my granddaughter, Samantha, never has to be blindsided by breast cancer.”
I walk for Samantha.
“I went to my first MORE THAN PINK Walk while in treatment for breast cancer. I felt an instant feeling of community come over me. I’ve heard from women who have lost their jobs or couldn’t pay their rent, and it means a lot to know that money we’ve raised is helping someone go through treatment.”
Meet John, Top Fundraiser and Komen Advocate
“My daughter, Melissa, spent her career counseling women going through radiation and treatment. Our world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer after being told four different times her concerns were unwarranted. Melissa passed away from metastatic breast cancer at age 36. By supporting Komen and fundraising for the MORE THAN PINK Walk, I can honor Melissa’s memory and advocate for people who feel their voices are going unheard.”
I walk for Melissa.
After my breast cancer diagnosis, I knew I wanted to do something to give back. Participating in the Walk has allowed me to not only raise awareness and crucial funds to support Komen, but to support those who were going through treatment and didn’t have family near to offer support.
Meet Alison, Breast Cancer Survivor and Walk Participant
I participated in the MORE THAN PINK Walk the week I completed treatment for breast cancer, which was a serendipitous way to celebrate myself and the end of my cancer journey. But it’s now grown into so much more for me. It’s an opportunity for me to give back to an organization that does so much for people facing breast cancer and connect with other young women and moms, like me, who may need support.
I walk for hope.
My mother fought breast cancer twice, and we lost my Aunt Jane to breast cancer. Through the years I've had several family members and countless friends diagnosed. It hurts to count how many have been impacted, and it hurts worse to count how many I've lost to breast cancer. I walk to find the cures so that in the future, no one has to lose a loved one to breast cancer.
Meet Karin, Breast Cancer Survivor and Top Fundraiser
By participating in the MORE THAN PINK Walk, I’ve joined a community of incredibly supportive people and done things I would not have done before breast cancer. It’s allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, meet survivors and those living with MBC and connect with volunteer opportunities. It’s a welcoming space for people impacted by breast cancer.
I walk for a world without breast cancer.
