Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen is a United States breast cancer organization that funds research, supports patient services, and advocates for improved access to breast health care.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Susan G. Komen is a United States nonprofit organization focused on reducing breast cancer mortality and improving outcomes for people affected by the disease. It was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker in memory of her sister, Susan Goodman Komen, who died from breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 36. Brinker has said that her sister’s experience might have been different had better information about cancer, treatment, and available support been accessible at the time. The organization was initially named the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and later became widely known as Komen. Komen’s work spans four closely related areas: biomedical research, community-based patient support, public-policy advocacy, and breast health education. Its research program has supported basic, clinical, and translational studies, including work on metastatic and aggressive breast cancers, cancer biology, biomarkers, and precision medicine. The organization reports that research it has funded or supported has contributed to the development of numerous breast cancer medicines, including all 19 drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for breast cancer treatment between 2012 and 2023. It has also awarded the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction since 1992. Patient-facing activities include navigation and referral services, screening support, education, and programs intended to help underserved patients reach diagnosis and treatment. Komen also works with policymakers through the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy, supporting faster research, insurance coverage for diagnostic and treatment services, and efforts to address racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. The organization has maintained international research and education connections, including affiliates in Italy and Puerto Rico, and distributes breast health materials in multiple languages. Fundraising has historically been built around branded events and partnerships. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a series of 5K races and fitness walks, began in Dallas in 1983 and became one of the best-known breast cancer fundraising events in the world. Komen’s pink-ribbon identity became especially prominent after the organization distributed pink ribbons to participants in its 1991 New York Race for the Cure and adopted the pink ribbon as a central part of its brand in 2007. Other fundraising formats have included the 3-Day for the Cure walk, marathons, and Bowl for the Cure. The organization has also faced criticism. Disputes have concerned corporate partnerships described by critics as pinkwashing, the terms and caps of some cause-marketing promotions, enforcement of trademarks containing the phrase “for the cure,” research involving embryonic stem-cell questions, executive compensation, and its brief 2012 decision to stop funding breast-health services connected with Planned Parenthood. Komen reversed the Planned Parenthood decision within days, but the episode led to resignations, reputational damage, and leadership changes. In 2020, Komen consolidated its independently governed local-chapter structure into a single organization headquartered in Dallas. It continues to operate as an active breast cancer nonprofit under the Komen name.
History
Susan G. Komen was created in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor her sister, Susan Goodman Komen, who died from breast cancer in 1980. The original organization, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, entered a United States breast cancer landscape in which public awareness, screening access, patient navigation, and research funding were less coordinated than they are today. Its founding rationale joined personal remembrance with a practical objective: improving knowledge and care so that other patients would have better chances of survival. Komen’s early growth was closely connected to public fundraising and community events. The first Race for the Cure took place in Dallas in 1983 with approximately 800 participants. The event model combined a timed race and fitness walk with survivor recognition, educational messaging, and donations collected by participants. A New York event in 1991 helped establish the pink ribbon as a widely recognized breast cancer awareness symbol when Komen distributed ribbons to participants. By the early 2000s, the Race for the Cure had expanded to many United States locations and attracted more than a million participants. International expansion followed, including the first race outside the United States in Costa Rica in 1998. The organization’s public profile also grew through partnerships and national awareness initiatives. In 1998, the United States Postal Service issued the country’s first Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp in conjunction with Komen. Komen later broadened its fundraising portfolio through the 3-Day for the Cure, marathon events, Bowl for the Cure, corporate promotions, and merchandise. In 2007, marking its 25th anniversary, the foundation adopted the name Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a pink-ribbon logo, formalizing an identity that connected its memorial origin with a mass public campaign. Research became a central part of the organization’s institutional identity. Komen has funded basic, clinical, and translational research and has awarded the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction annually since 1992. It reports having invested nearly $1.1 billion across more than 2,800 research grants. Its research agenda has increasingly emphasized metastatic disease, aggressive tumors, and precision medicine, while its community programs have focused on education, screening, diagnosis, treatment access, and navigation. The organization has also supported international researchers and educational capacity-building. Leadership and governance changed repeatedly after 2009. Nancy Brinker became chief executive in December 2009. Judith A. Salerno succeeded her as CEO in 2013, and Salerno left the role in 2016. Paula Schneider, a business executive and breast cancer survivor, became CEO in 2017 and led the organization through a period of restructuring and recovery. In 2020, Komen consolidated 60 independently governed chapters into one unified organization based in Dallas. Komen’s prominence brought sustained scrutiny. Critics questioned some partnerships with consumer brands, arguing that pink-themed marketing could create awareness without proportionate health benefit or could associate the cause with products considered unhealthy. Trademark enforcement also drew criticism after Komen challenged charities and events using “for the cure” or similar language. In 2012, the organization’s decision to end funding connected to Planned Parenthood became its most damaging controversy. The decision was linked to a congressional investigation and a new policy concerning organizations under investigation. Komen reversed it four days later, but senior staff departures and the subsequent departure of Brinker from the CEO position contributed to a prolonged reputational crisis. Questions about executive pay, research policy, and the allocation of donations added to the debate. Komen remains an active breast cancer organization. Its present model combines research investment with patient services, advocacy, education, fundraising, and selected international activity. The organization’s stated priorities include reducing mortality, expanding access to care, accelerating scientific progress, and addressing unequal outcomes, particularly among Black women and other underserved populations.
- 2020
Chapter consolidation
[1]Komen consolidated its independently governed local affiliates into a unified Dallas-based organization.
- 2019
Public Policy Center launched
[1]Komen launched the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy to organize advocacy around research and access to care.
- 2007
Name and logo rebrand
[1]The foundation became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and adopted a pink-ribbon logo.
- 1998
Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp issued
[1]The United States Postal Service issued its first Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp in conjunction with Komen.
- 1998
First international Race for the Cure
[1]The first Race for the Cure outside the United States took place in Costa Rica.
- 1992
Brinker Award established
[1]Komen began awarding the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction for notable contributions to breast cancer research.
- 1991
Pink ribbon distributed at New York race
[1]Komen gave pink ribbons to participants at its New York Race for the Cure, helping establish the ribbon as a national breast cancer symbol.
- 1983
First Race for the Cure
[1]The first Race for the Cure was held in Dallas, Texas, with about 800 participants.
- 1982
Organization founded
[1]Nancy Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of her sister, Susan Goodman Komen.
Products and positioning
A research-driven, patient-centered breast cancer nonprofit combining scientific funding, community services, advocacy, education, and large-scale public fundraising.
Fundraising event · 1983
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
A series of 5K races and fitness walks combining fundraising, breast cancer awareness, survivor recognition, and community outreach. The event began in Dallas in 1983 and later expanded across the United States and internationally.
Fundraising event
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
A long-distance fundraising walk covering approximately 60 miles over three days. Participants raise donations while promoting breast cancer awareness and supporting Komen programs.
Research funding
Komen research grants
Grants supporting basic, clinical, and translational breast cancer research, including studies of metastatic disease, aggressive cancers, biomarkers, and precision medicine.
Research award · 1992
Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction
An annual scientific recognition program honoring important contributions to breast cancer research and named for founder Nancy Brinker.
Health service
Breast health patient services
Community-based education, patient navigation, screening support, referrals, and assistance intended to help underserved people move from breast health information to diagnosis and treatment.
Controversies
2012
Planned Parenthood funding controversy
Komen announced that it would stop funding breast exams and mammogram referrals connected with Planned Parenthood, citing a policy involving organizations under investigation. The decision was widely criticized, prompted major public reaction and staff departures, and was reversed four days later after Komen amended the policy.
2012
Executive compensation scrutiny
Public attention followed reporting on Nancy Brinker’s compensation in the organization’s IRS filings. Komen said the increase reflected a prior salary change and subsequently appointed Judith A. Salerno as CEO.
2011
Embryonic stem-cell research questions
Anti-abortion groups questioned whether Komen grants indirectly supported embryonic stem-cell research. Komen stated that it did not directly fund embryonic stem-cell derivation or projects specifically focused on that work.
2010
Pinkwashing criticism
Critics argued that some corporate partnerships used breast cancer imagery to market products whose health implications were questionable or whose donations were limited by conditions or caps. Komen defended partnerships as ways to reach underserved communities and generate funds.
2010
Trademark enforcement criticism
Komen faced criticism for challenging charities and events that used “for the cure,” pink branding, or similar language. The organization said enforcement protected donors from confusion and preserved the value of its trademarks.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Live Pink / Shop for the Cure
United States · Online
Komen created an online shopping platform through which purchases of selected products could benefit breast cancer research and patient services.
Outcome. The platform was later referred to as Shop for the Cure.
- 2010Buckets for the Cure
United States
A cause-marketing partnership with KFC connected selected purchases with breast cancer fundraising and awareness. Critics questioned the health implications of associating the campaign with fast food; Komen emphasized outreach and consumer choice.
Outcome. Generated awareness but became an example in criticism of pinkwashing.
- 1998Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp
United States
Komen collaborated with the United States Postal Service on the first Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp, linking postage purchases with breast cancer research fundraising.
Outcome. Created a national awareness and fundraising mechanism.
- 1983Race for the Cure
United States · International
Komen’s signature race and walk fundraising platform uses local events, participant donations, survivor visibility, and breast cancer education to support community programs and the organization’s wider mission.
Outcome. Expanded from a Dallas event into a large international event series.
Brand decisions
2020
Unify the chapter networkStrategyBackground
Komen operated through approximately 60 independently governed local chapters, creating a fragmented organizational structure.
Action taken
It consolidated the chapters into a single organization headquartered in Dallas.
Aftermath
The change simplified governance and created a more centralized operating model.
2019
Create a public-policy advocacy centerStrategyBackground
Komen sought a more organized role in policy debates affecting breast cancer research, diagnosis, treatment access, and insurance coverage.
Action taken
It launched the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy.
Aftermath
Advocacy became a formal pillar alongside research, patient services, and education.
2012
End and restore Planned Parenthood fundingStrategyBackground
Komen cited a newly created rule concerning organizations under governmental investigation, in the context of a congressional inquiry involving Planned Parenthood.
Action taken
Komen initially stopped funding breast-health services associated with Planned Parenthood, then amended the rule and reversed the decision four days later.
Aftermath
The controversy led to public criticism, staff resignations, leadership disruption, and lasting reputational consequences.
2007
Rebrand around the pink ribbonStrategyBackground
The organization reached its 25th anniversary and sought a more unified public identity for its fundraising and awareness work.
Action taken
It changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and adopted a pink-ribbon logo.
Aftermath
The pink ribbon became a defining part of the Komen brand and its Race for the Cure events.
Recent events
- 2025
Paula Schneider steps down as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
After seven years leading the organization, Paula Schneider left the chief executive role in August 2025.
- 2020
Komen consolidates local affiliates[1]
Other
The organization combined its independently governed local-chapter structure into a unified entity headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
- 2007
Komen adopts the pink ribbon as a central brand symbol[1]
Other · Campaign
The organization changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and incorporated the pink ribbon into its identity during its 25th anniversary period.
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