Our History
SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE® HISTORY
One woman’s desire to see a better life for women battling breast cancer sparked a global breast cancer movement. In 1980, Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became the Susan G. Komen® organization and the beginning of a global movement.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer ever created. Established in 1982, the Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown from one Race with 800 people in Dallas to a global series of more than 140 races with over 1 million people participating globally each year.
The series of 5K runs and fitness walks raises significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.
Since its inception, Komen has funded more than $956 million in research and more than $2.1 billion in medical care. Komen focuses on supporting those with the fewest resources: uninsured, underinsured and low-income women and men unable to access care. Komen serves millions in more than 60 countries worldwide.
For more information on Susan G. Komen, www.komen.org. Call 1-877-GO KOMEN. Connect on social media:
KOMEN BAHAMAS RACE FOR THE CURE HISTORY
In The Bahamas, former US Ambassador to The Bahamas, Ned Siegel along with his wife, Stephanie, helped Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend (SIRW) get the race series. During Ambassador Siegel’s tenure, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.
While being treated, she was alarmed at the number of Bahamian women – particularly young women – who were plagued with breast cancer, so she decided to do something about it. She founded the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation (BBCIF) – one of our past beneficiaries. The organization was dedicated to genetic testing so that researchers could find out why our women were being plagued with the disease.
Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend maintained its relationship with the Siegels and it was through their efforts with the BBCIF and our Race Weekend event that Sunshine Insurance secured the Komen series.
The series debuted in January 2011. Today, it remains an important event on many people’s calendars – locally and internationally.
Susan G. Komen Bahamas provides funding to four local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Society of Grand Bahama, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation and the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.
For more information on Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure, www.komenbahamas.org. Call 1-242-502-6500.
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