History

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 instead of worrying about her own situation. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and commitment to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.

Though Susan lost her battle with the disease, her legacy lives on through the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the organization Nancy started in her honor. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since its inception in 1982. Komen’s promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
Across the country, that promise is upheld by a network of 121 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

The Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is your local link to the world's largest non-profit organization fighting to end breast cancer. The Komen Western New York Affiliate covers the 8 counties in Western New York and has raised over 2.5 million dollars. 75% of all money raised stays in Western New York through community outreach programs to improve access to breast health care, education, and support for breast cancer survivors. The remaining 25% goes to Breast Cancer Research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Research Grant Awards. In Western New York, UB & Roswell Park Cancer Institute have been recipients of Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Research Grant Awards over the past several years.