Sometimes, a tragic event becomes
the inspiration for hope and such is the case with the Susan G. Komen for the
Cure, also known as Komen. Established in
memory of Susan Goodman Komen who died from breast cancer in 1980, the
non-profit organization works "to end breast cancer forever".
Komen is the most famous breast
cancer advocate in the world because of its high-profile campaigners, successful
campaigns, and recognizable logo (i.e., the pink ribbon resembling a runner in
motion). The logo not only establishes the brand but it also symbolizes the
organization's largest fundraising event for breast cancer research and
education, the Race for the Cure marathon.
The organization advocates for
breast awareness among women, even among men, as the primary method for breast
cancer management from risk reduction to treatment and prevention. In this
line, Komen supports a wide range of programs from personal breast
self-examinations and mammography to government spending on research for breast
cancer.
While no cure for breast cancer
has been discovered, the legacy of hope continues and it may well be one of the
most important things for patients and their families.