History

The Story of Susan G. Komen

 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 Utah Affiliate's Story

The Utah Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® was established in 1996 when several women, whose lives had been touched by breast cancer, independently contacted the headquarters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® about establishing a Race for the Cure in Utah.  Headquarters put these women in touch with eachother and the result was the first Komen Utah Race for the Cure®.  That first race attracted over 1,700 participants and participation has been growing every year since.  In 2011, the fifteenth year of the Race, the number of particpants increased to over 16,000 making it the largest run/walk in the state of Utah!