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 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.

The Charlotte Affiliate

The Charlotte Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded on a personal promise also.  Penelope Wilson's partner, Annie Wingo, died of breast cancer in 1992.  The following year when Penelope moved to Charlotte, she promised herself she would try and do something to help in the fight against breast cancer.  Upon discovering Komen for the Cure, she knew she had found a great resource.  Komen did it all.  They provided funding for research to find a cure for breast cancer, but also supported local education, screening and treatment programs to help with prevention and the message of early detection.  Penelope wrote an appeal for help and placed it in the local newspaper and the rest is history.  A wonderful group of women came together to hold the first annual Susan G. Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure® on October 4, 1997.  They expected 1,000 participants, but received over 2,300.  In 1999, after growing the Race for two years, the group decided to establish a local Komen Affiliate by incorporating with the National office.  With the incorporation, a fifteen-member Board of Directors was created to pursue breast cancer and breast health outreach on a year-round basis.  In 2001, a full-time executive director was hired for the first time.

Since its inception, the Komen Charlotte Affiliate has made great strides in improving breast health services and reaching out to the underserved members in our local community.  We have established an annual grant funding program to award local breast health organizations for innovative breast health projects in a nine-county service area.  We hold multiple fundraisers during the year, not just the annual Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure®.  Through these events, and other events hosted by organizations and individuals, the Affiliate has raised over $10 million in eleven years.