Historical Marker Recognizes Local Woman’s Impact on World
PEORIA, IL – October 1, 2009 – State and local officials joined family members and leaders of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Peoria Memorial Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® today to dedicate a marker from the Illinois Historical Society honoring Peoria native Susan G. Komen, whose death from breast cancer 30 years ago inspired a worldwide movement.
Susan G. Komen lost her three-year battle with breast cancer in 1980. Before she died, she made her sister, Nancy G. Brinker, promise to do everything she could to end breast cancer forever. From that promise, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has grown to be a global force for women and men with breast cancer, funding more than $1.3 billion in major research breakthroughs and programs in communities that educate, empower and provide social support and financial help.
“What began as a promise between two girls from Peoria has become the promise of millions,” said Phillip Lockwood, Peoria Memorial Affiliate President. “We are honored to be walking in their footsteps, and couldn’t be more thrilled to help dedicate this marker, which will serve as a poignant example of the significant difference one person can make.”
The organization honored its namesake, Susan G. Komen, this morning at a special ceremony at Parkview Cemetery dedicating an Illinois Historical Society historical marker celebrating her life.
“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,” said Linda Washkuhn, friend of Suzy Komen and founder of the Peoria Memorial Race for the Cure.
“On behalf of the entire Susan G. Komen family, we are humbled and thankful for this honor,” said Eric Brinker, Nancy’s son who currently serves on the Peoria Memorial Affiliate board.
While honoring its past, the Komen Peoria Memorial Affiliate also set its sights firmly on the future, as it celebrated the re-opening of its Affiliate offices, which were severely damaged in a fire last fall, and announced the chairs of 25th running of the Komen Peoria Race for the Cure® – the second longest-running event in the Komen Race for the Cure series.
Bradley University President Joanne Glasser was named Honorary Chair of the 2010 Race, which will be held on May 8. The Race Co-Chairs are: Eric Brinker, president of Metro Centre, and Jordan Maricle, a clinical research associate at Illinois CancerCare.
Thanks in large part to the annual Race, Komen Peoria Memorial Affiliate is able to support breast cancer screening, education and awareness in Fulton, Hancock, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. Since its inception, the organization has awarded over $6.9 million to local organizations.
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