Highlights from the Mission Conference
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Ninth Annual Mission Conference, Many Faces, One Voice, was held June 11-13 in Washington, D.C. Bringing together survivors, leading experts and patient advocates in the field of breast cancer, the Komen Mission Conference exemplifies the Komen Foundation's goal to go where others do not, be what others cannot and seek answers in non-traditional places.
Among this year's conference highlights, Mrs. Laura Bush, the first lady of the United States, addressed the nearly 900 attendees, including a special delegation from the Middle East. During her remarks, Mrs. Bush shared memories as an early Komen Foundation volunteer and thanked Founder Nancy G. Brinker for raising public consciousness of breast cancer.
The Mission Conference also provided a fitting backdrop for an important Komen Foundation announcement--the largest annual investment in breast cancer research in the organization's history. 247 research grants totaling more than $54.8 million were awarded in 2006 as part of the Komen Foundation's Award and Research Grant Program.
Recognizing profound personal and organizational contributions to the fight against breast cancer is an important element during the conference and, on June 13, two individuals and an institution were honored. In addition to two Komen Professor of Survivorship awardees being recognized, Howard University received the first annual Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. Komen Fellowship in Health Disparities.
Of course, the Komen Mission Conference offers participants the opportunity to attend a variety of expert panel presentations focusing on how cutting-edge research and programs are utilized to benefit breast cancer patients and co-survivors. Throughout the conference, a number of general and break-out sessions encouraged an educational exchange between survivors, advocates, researchers and other health care professionals.
