According to Wikipedia, breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). According to the United Nations , more than 500,000 people worldwide die from breast cancer every year, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide.
Breast cancer is about 100 times as frequent among women as among men, but survival rates are equal in both sexes.
The Allies
As the cases of breast cancer worldwide is rapidly increasing, various organizations were founded to help stop the disease. And among these affiliations Susan G. Komen for the Cure is one of the most known organization worldwide. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is an organization supporting breast cancer research. Since its inception in 1982, Komen has raised over $1 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world. Komen has more than 75,000 volunteers nationwide—122 affiliates in the United States (47 of 50 states) and 3 in other countries. Susan G. Komen for the Cure received Charity Navigator's (an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities) highest rating, four stars.
Who is Susan G. Komen?
Susan Goodman Komen was a woman from Peoria Illinois, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33 and died three years later, in 1980. Komen's younger sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, feeling that Susan's outcome might have been better if patients knew more about cancer and its treatment, and remembering a promise to her sister that she would find a way to speed up breast cancer research, founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Komen's memory in 1982.
In 2007, the 25th anniversary of the organization, it changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, created a new logo, and adopted the explicit mission "to end breast cancer forever".
The Warriors
To support the continued research and awareness programs on breast cancer the organization conducts various fund raising events such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Race for the Cure is a series of 5K runs and fitness walks that raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and memorializes those who have died from the disease.
Each race is a five kilometer run/walk (5k) for people of all ages and fitness levels. All courses are certified by USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running, race walking and cross-country events.
Funds raised by the events help to support community outreach programs in 18,000 communities. The money supports local community breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects as well as the Komen Award and Research Grant Program.
Since its origination by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure nonprofit in 1983, the annual event has grown from one local race in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants to nearly 120 races, extending beyond the U.S. to include locales in Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico.
The 2008 Pledge Program raised over $2.4 million in pledges with total net race revenues reaching over $3.8 million! Of course the fund raiser wouldn’t be a success if not for the support of those who committed to help find the cure to stop the disease. Maxim Model Jody Palmer was among the many warriors that participated in the 2008 Race for the Cure and was included in the organization’s Pink Pledge Pals for her contribution. What an incredible accomplishment, especially considering that just a few years ago, the pledge total was only $175,000 for the 2002 Race. We applaud you as these critical funds will support the promise of the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
Jody Palmer