Susan G. Komen for the Cure Announces Historic Global Breast Cancer Advocate Summit, Calls for Delegate Applications

Mrs. Laura Bush Joins Global Leader in Marking World Cancer Day with Call to Action

DALLAS - January 31, 2007 - To mark World Cancer Day, February 4, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is announcing the first-ever Global Breast Cancer Advocate Summit to be held September 29-30 in Budapest, Hungary. The historic summit is designed to pair 25 U.S. breast cancer advocates with advocates from more than 25 countries to elevate the dialogue on breast cancer's global impact. Mrs. Laura Bush will serve as an honorary co-chair of the event, which will be held in conjunction with the Breast Health Global Initiative Consensus Conference on October 1-4.

An estimated 25 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 10 million could die in the next 25 years without the cures. "Ignite the Promise: Global Breast Cancer Advocate Summit" provides a platform for Komen for the Cure and the everyday advocates who work tirelessly to address breast health and breast cancer needs in their respective countries to discuss solutions to global problems, disseminate breast cancer advocacy best practices from around the world and develop and publish advocacy guidelines to stimulate meaningful changes.

Summit is critical extension of global advocacy efforts
"Since I started the global breast cancer movement 25 years ago, we have worked to change the way breast cancer is talked about and treated," said Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "While we have made great strides, the breast cancer crisis facing our world is enormous. This event is a critical extension of our global advocacy efforts and learnings as we work to understand how breast cancer impacts women in different cultures and to ensure that all women, regardless of race, nationality or socioeconomic status, have equal opportunity to beat a breast cancer diagnosis. Mrs. Bush lending her voice to this milestone in the breast cancer movement is vital in helping us recruit other first ladies who will work to make breast cancer a priority health issue where they serve."

Alarming global cancer statistics underscore the urgency of Komen's mission to end breast cancer forever, and to attack breast cancer on domestic as well as international fronts. Cancer already claims twice as many lives as AIDS worldwide. At least seven million people die of cancer each year and close to 11 million new cases are diagnosed. That's more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria put together.

Mrs. Laura Bush to serve as Komen Global Summit Honorary Co-Chair
Komen Global Summit Honorary Co-Chair Mrs. Laura Bush, a longtime Komen volunteer and breast cancer advocate, recognizes that breast cancer affects millions of families around the world and is a priority in America's global healthcare diplomacy efforts. "Eradicating breast cancer is a challenge for every country, and too many women around the world are still too embarrassed or too uninformed to seek the treatment they need in time to save their lives," said Mrs. Bush. "I urge women everywhere to talk to your sisters, your mothers, your daughters, your friends about the importance of early detection."

Apply to be a delegate to the Global Summit
Komen is soliciting applications beginning Sunday, February 4 from breast cancer advocates to serve as one of 50 delegates to the Global Summit. Qualified applicants must be working to reduce the burden of breast cancer in their community, whether through volunteerism or professionally. Delegates will be chosen by a committee comprised of Komen volunteers, staff and grantees, and other advocates. Twenty-five delegates will be selected from Komen's Domestic Affiliate Network, and the remaining 25 will be selected from outside the United States. (We are no longer accepting applications for 2007)

Komen for the Cure
Komen for the Cure is committed to supporting breast cancer research internationally and recognizes that no single approach to breast health will prove effective around the world. Komen works with local communities and organizations to develop innovative programs that best meet the needs of a particular group or culture. Over the past 25 years, Komen has invested nearly $1 billion in cancer research and community programs, including funding breast cancer research grants to 43 institutions in 13 countries outside of the United States. Komen currently has international Affiliates in Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico.

Breast Health Global Initiative
The Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) strives to develop, implement and study evidence-based, economically feasible, and culturally appropriate "Guidelines for International Breast Health and Cancer Control" for underdeveloped nations to improve breast health outcomes. Komen for the Cure and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are co-founders of the BHGI. For more information about the BHGI, visit www.fhcrc.org/science/phs/bhgi/