Skip navigation
Susan G. Komen}’s portrait

Susan G. Komen

  • 33 years old
  • Female
  • Born Jan 01, 1947
  • Died Jan 01, 1980
  • United States
This page is a tribute to Susan G. Komen, a woman whose legacy continues to inspire 75,000 volunteers to raise millions towards cancer research through their "Race for the Cure" and "Breast Cancer 3-Day" events.
More »

About

Donate

If you would like to make a donation on behalf of Susan G. Komen, visit  the donation page for SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE.

Who was Susan G. Komen?

In 1978 at age 33, Susan developed breast cancer.  Believing her doctors could "cure" her, by the time she made it to the Mayo Clinic, another lump was found and her cancer had metastasized. She started radiation therapy at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,  when she was already a Stage IV patient.  For fifteen months, doctors were able to slow the spread.

But then the disease started again. Her sister Nan said, "One particular Sunday afternoon on the way back to the airport, Suzy spoke to me again about doing something to help the sick women in the hospital. This practically tore my heart out because here she was, hardly able to manage a whisper, and she was worrying about other people. I couldn't bear it.

I never saw my sister alive again. After nine operations, three courses of chemotherapy and radiation, she had lost her three-year war. By the time I flew back to her side it was too late. She was gone."

Her sister Nancy G. Brinker took up the cause and started the Susan G. Komen for the Cure nonprofit fund. She proved that one person can really make a difference.

See All memories »

Memories

thinking of you...

~~*RENEE*~~ Oct 23, 2007

what a brave women you were...

Thanks Komen Foundation

Dan Gould Sep 18, 2007

You are a great organization. The SF chapter is fantastic and puts on a great Race for the Cure...

A Sister's Wish

Dana Oshiro Sep 18, 2007

It's hard to believe that the Susan G. Komen Foundation only began in 1982 and that Susan G. Komen herself only passed away in 1980. Nancy Brinker (Susan's younger sister) has made Komen a household name and there isn't a breast cancer or health activist I've met in my ten years in the nonprofit industry that doesn't know how great this organization is.

It is amazing to watch so many survivors and supporters across the country mobilize and spread the breast cancer awareness message far and wide. Thank you to all of the women who continue to keep the Komen legacy alive.

Share your own memory now

To leave a memory, fill in the fields below

 *
 *
Icon

Choose an icon from the set

More »

Q&A (1)

New! Answer a question and read other's responses

  • What was Susan G. Komen's first job? Did he/she like it?

Let them know how much you cared

OR

Show

Widget

Find out for whom People are Tweeting their Respects
See All Visitors »

Visitors

Visited just now

Jerry and JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Florida United States

Visited Nov 27, 2010

Tribute Creator

Dana Oshiro

    United States