Susan Goodman Komen died at the age of 36. Founded in her memory in 1982, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was born from a sister's love and a solemn promise to do something to stop breast cancer from taking more lives.

The foundation's namesake, Susan Goodman Komen, died of breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 36. Susan Komen's younger sister, Nancy Brinker, believed that Susan's outcome might have been better if patients knew more about cancer and its treatment, and founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982.

Komen have gone directly towards research, community-based health programs, education and advocacy programs to support its mission of saving lives and ending breast cancer.

Nancy G. BrinkerSusan G. Komen for the Cure / Founder Nancy G. Brinker is regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement. Her journey began with a simple promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything possible to end the shame, pain, fear and hopelessness caused by this disease.

Komen halted funding for screening exams for Planned Parenthood, a move many saw as a politicization of the cause. Though the decision was reversed, it caused the resignation of several staff members and damaged public perception.

Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Pinkwashing is a form of cause marketing that uses a pink ribbon logos. The companies display the pink ribbon logo on products that are known to cause different types of cancer. The Pink ribbon logo symbolizes support for breast cancer-related charities or foundations.

Komen only scored a “C+” rating. Other charities that should be donated to, based on the ranking of Charity Navigator, are the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.

Charity Navigator gives Susan G. Komen for the Cure a 3-star rating (out of four) and lists the percent of its expenses spent on programs and services at 81.6%. Charity Watch gives the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation a C+ rating with program percentage of 62%-77% and the cost to raise $100 of $12-$27.

Komen halted funding for screening exams for Planned Parenthood, a move many saw as a politicization of the cause. Though the decision was reversed, it caused the resignation of several staff members and damaged public perception.

OUR PURPOSE Komen 3 Day® help Susan G. Komen build a world free of breast cancer through research, community, care and action. The money raised by the Susan G. Komen 3-Day has been used to save lives and make huge strides in breast cancer research.

1983 Nancy Brinker, Founding Chairman of the Komen Foundation, organized the first Race for the Cure in Dallas, Texas in 1983. The Race for the Cure is now the largest series of 5K runs in the United States.