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 $1.9 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 122 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

Dallas County Affiliate Story

The first Komen Dallas Race for the Cure® was held in 1983 and had 800 participants.  Since then, our numbers have grown to over 26,000 women, men and children.   Our Race participants, corporate partners, and more than 1,000 volunteers have helped bring breast cancer awareness to the attention of the Dallas community.

In 2010, we raised more than $2,600,000 through our Komen Dallas Race for the Cure®, fundraising events, and donations received throughout the year.  A minimum of 25 percent of that will be used to support The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

The remaining net income (up to 75 percent) will stay in our local community.  In 2011 over $1,912,000.00 was granted to local service providers to fund innovative education, screening, and treatment programs for the underserved in Dallas County.

Due to our efforts, thousands of women in Dallas County who could not afford breast health care have received education, screening and treatment for breast cancer. Read about our local grant recipients.  (Grant Recipients)

The Dallas County Chapter of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation incorporated on August 24, 1992. Our incorporation papers were amended on May 15, 2001 to reflect Dallas County Chapter as The Dallas County Affiliate of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.