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 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.

Boise Affiliate story

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Boise Affiliate is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, operating with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers, a full-time Executive Director and two part-time staff members.

In 11 years, we have granted over $3.4 million dollars that stays in our local service area and is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, education, screening, support and treatment in Idaho.

The first Komen Boise Race for the Cure®, was held in 1999. With over 6,500 participants, it was the largest ever participation level for a Komen first year race. Over 16,000 people participated in the 2010 Komen Boise Race for the Cure® - the largest in our race history.

Up to seventy-five percent of our proceeds are awarded each year through a grant process to local organizations. Each grantee conducts a program that offers breast cancer education, screening or treatment to residents of our 19 Idaho county service area.

The remaining 25 percent of our proceeds is directed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® National Research Grant Program to fund research on a national and international level.