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 for the Cure’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 first Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure was held in 1996.  The Susan G. Komen Central Florida Affiliate was established in 1999 to carry out Komen for the Cure's mission statement: to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment in the Central Florida community.

The Central Florida Affiliate serves nine counties: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia. The Affiliate serves as an "umbrella" for all of the special fund-raising events within this area such as:

* Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure©
* Celebration of Life Luncheon©
* Rock Pink Concert Series©

Up to 75% of the net proceeds raised by this Affiliate stays within the Central Florida community to fund outreach programs and initiatives that address the specific unmet breast health needs within the nine county service area. These projects are selected based on a needs assessment performed by the Affiliate.

The Affiliate consists of a volunteer Board of Directors, an Executive Director and various Committees that support the Foundation's mission statement. Committees are comprised of volunteers who are the lifeblood of this organization.

To date, the Affiliate has raised over $4 million through various fundraising events, including our annual Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure©.