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.

Central and Western Oklahoma Affiliate

From its inception in 1994, the Central Oklahoma Affiliate fought breast cancer in Central Oklahoma, fundrasing and granting in Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pottawatomie counties.  In the fall of 2010, we were approved to expand our service area adding Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Ellis, Woods, Woodward, Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Harmon, Greer, Kiowa, Jackson, Tillman, Comanche, Cotton, Caddo, Blaine, Major, Alfalfa, Grant, Garfield, Kay, Noble, Seminole, Stephens, Garvin, Pontotoc, Murray, Jefferson, Carter, Johnston, Love and Marshall counties.  With the added counties, the affiliate became the Central and Western Oklahoma Affiliate.  Since 1994, the Central and Western Oklahoma Affiliate has granted over $8.5 million.  With the support of our signature fundraiser, the Race for the Cure®, we will award over $950,000 toward the fight against breast cancer by funding grassroots educational programs as well as national research.  Up to seventy-five percent of the net proceeds raised by the Affiliate are dedicated to fighting breast cancer in the Central Oklahoma Affiliate Service Area.  Grants are awarded each year to local hospitals and community organizations that provide innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved women.  A minimum of twenty-five percent of the net proceeds raised by the Affiliate fund the national breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program.  Partnerships with corporate sponsors and community organizations allows us to continue holding the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, as well as other fundraisers, including the Men of Oklahoma Calendar, Stomp for the Cure, Passionately Pink for the Cure® Luncheon, and Swing for the Cure®.