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.

West Virginia Affiliate story

It's amazing what a few friends who have shared similar life experiences can do! The WV Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen foundation was founded just that way. Personal experience with a deadly disease, whether it is your mother, daughter, sister or friend, clearly establishes need and desire to eliminate the pain.
As a group (mildly coerced by one) we worked together to bring this entity to West Virginia. After months of fact-finding, statistic gathering, tears and laughter we were able to pull this together. The WV Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen foundation was a mere conversation of what if …… in the summer of 2000. The foundation became a reality in January of 2001 with the help of a Ford/BMW dealer and six passionate people the journey started. The founding board members were Kathleen Walker, Mylissa Spradling, Beth Elmore, Shelley Capito, Cecilia Baker and Cindy Heiskell.

West Virginia presents many geographic and economic challenges in the fight against breast cancer. We hope to be a major part of eradicating it from this earth. Through education, screening, treatment and research we can do just that!