WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

We’ve all been touched by breast cancer – directly or through family, friends or colleagues who have been diagnosed with the disease.

  • Breast cancer accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed among women in the U.S.

  • One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

  • The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and getting older.

  • There are nearly 3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

Susan G. Komen® is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease.

Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $800 million in research and provided more than $1.6 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life.

Komen funding has supported these game-changing advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, among others:

  • The discovery of the first cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • The development of treatment and prevention therapies for hormone-dependent breast cancer
  • Identification of HER2-positive breast cancer and development of HER2-positive targeted therapies

Susan G. Komen St. Louis is dedicated to meeting the breast health needs of the women, men and families most at risk and most in need in our 17-county Missouri/Illinois service area. Komen St. Louis distributes 75% of its net income to fund local community-based breast health services for the region's underserved and uninsured residents. The remaining 25% funds breast cancer research.

Since 1999, Komen St. Louis has awarded more than $28 million in grants to local organizations that deliver life-saving breast health services to those who may not otherwise have access due to low income, lack of insurance or other barriers.

Komen St. Louis has contributed nearly $9 million to Susan G. Komen® for global breast cancer research since 1999. At the same time, more than $20 million has come back to St. Louis area research facilities to fund vital breast cancer research.

More than 100 percent of the money raised here has remained in and returned to the St. Louis area.

Please visit www.komenstlouis.org
or call 314-569-3900 for a complete history
of grant recipients.