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 $1.9 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 120 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

Tulsa Affiliate story

On the local level, the Komen Tulsa Affiliate works to reduce breast cancer in Tulsa County by funding education, screening and treatment programs with an emphasis on the medically underserved. In 2010, with the help of the community in such events as the Komen Tulsa Race for the Cure, our Affiliate raised over $1.1 million. We continue to grow and act as a caring resource for local women and their families.

The Tulsa Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure began in 1997 with the first Race for the Cure. That year we granted $71,655 to local organizations to provide services to the uninsured and underinsured women in Tulsa County and $25,551 to fund scientific research. In 2010, over $880,000 was raised from the Race and other fundraising events and $445,000 was granted to community outreach programs and $135,000 to scientific research. Since 1997 we have granted over $5.1 million to fund scientific research, education and screening programs in our community.

See the list of current recipients of Komen Tulsa Grants.