Breast cancer will strike more than 1.3 million women annually over the next 20 years, killing 11 million of them, with most new cases coming in countries least prepared to deal with them. Cancer knowledge and medical resources vary significantly from country to country. Women in some countries still face stigma and shame when they are diagnosed. Others may never be diagnosed because medical help – even a simple breast exam--may be days away.
Our founder and CEO, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, promised that she would do what she could to end breast cancer forever – and everywhere. This is why Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been active outside the United States for years, providing funding, establishing partnerships and sharing what we’ve learned about breast cancer advocacy.
Today, Komen for the Cure has partnered or funded programs in more than 50 countries as part of our nearly $1.5 billion investment in breast cancer research, education and community programs since 1982.
- Along the way, we’ve been privileged to help bring people together, united in a noble cause: to end suffering from a devastating disease. Invest in education and community health local programs to ensure quality care for all and to help underserved women overcome the social, economic, cultural and language barriers to quality breast care and treatment.
- Invest in innovative breast cancer research, with the goal of answering the most urgent questions in the fight against this disease - what causes breast cancer, how can it be cured, and, ultimately, how can it be prevented?
- Mobilize more than 10 million neighbors and friends - through events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series - to energize and empower a new generation of women and their families in the fight against breast cancer.
- Save lives - our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends - through increased early detection and new treatments that spare future generations the pain of this disease.
International Commitment
To date, Komen and its International Affiliates have:
- Provided more than $27 million in funding for international breast cancer research and more than $17 million for international community education and outreach programs
- Established important partnerships with global organizations like Breakthrough Breast Cancer in the U.K., and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in Canada.
- Established ongoing and successful relationships with major international sponsors and non-governmental organizations to build awareness around the world.
- Established International Affiliates in Italy, Germany and Puerto Rico.
- Sponsored Komen Race for the Cure events in Germany (Frankfurt), Italy (Rome, Bari, Naples and Bologna), and Puerto Rico (San Juan).
- Expanded the Race for the Cure series in partnership with NGOs in seven other countries (Tanzania, Georgia, Greece, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzagovina, Egypt and – in 2010 – Brazil and Israel).
