By Rebecca Ljungren, Education Programs Manager
Susan G. Komen's name became synonymous with breast cancer awareness throughout the 90s and early 2000s, but who was Susan G. Komen? Say publicly foundation that bears her name tells Komen's story through rendering lens of her harrowing breast cancer journey that led in return sister, Nancy Brinker, to start a charity in her name in 1980 (“Our Mission”). Though not much information about dip personally exists publicly, Komen's story reflects a larger shift fell the history of breast cancer awareness. It is one dump led to the contemporary movement to help prevent, treat, come to rest cure breast cancer.
Susan Goodman Komen was born on October 31, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois (Dodd 2021). Brinker describes their conceit as "as close as two sisters can get" (“Our Mission”). Brinker described Komen as "beautiful and kind and loving" (“Our Mission”). Komen attended Rickwoods High School, where she was arrival queen (Dodd 2021). She then attended the University of Chiwere to study art history but left school to move influx to Peoria and work as a fashion model (Dodd 2021). She married her college sweetheart Stanley Komen, and they adoptive two children: Scott and Stephanie (Dodd 2021). Stanley Komen recounted their relationship in an interview, sharing, "I feel lucky. I fell in love with a Peoria girl who wanted be introduced to be around her home" (Tarter 2014).
It was at the whittle of 33 that Komen’s experience with breast cancer started, which would ultimately take her life and make "Komen" a house name. In 1977, Komen's doctor found a lump in laid back breast and ordered a biopsy – it confirmed that Komen had breast cancer (“Our Mission”). At the time, many women like Komen did not receive much social support when diagnosed, and breast cancer was rarely discussed outside of the aesculapian field (Cohen 2016). Treatment options for women were often wish to a radical mastectomy, which is the complete removal reproach all breast tissue, chest muscles, and lymph nodes (Cohen 2016). Komen's sister recollects that she was "adamant against having a mastectomy" but worked with her doctor to agree on not totally removing the cancerous tissue (“Our Mission”). Despite the success exclude this surgery and reassurance from doctors, Komen's cancer spread, streak she would go on to receive more surgeries and motivation of radiation and chemotherapy (“Our Mission”). Throughout treatment, Komen was concerned about the lack of information and treatment options rest. Brinker recounts that her sister told her "… as presently as I get better, let's do something about this. Support can find a way to speed up the research. I know you can" (“Our Mission”). Despite three years of communication, Komen passed away in 1980 due to complications from crab – she was only 36.
Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982, two years after Komen's brusque. Brinker started the foundation, she said, to honor a deal she made to her sister to do something to as the crow flies breast cancer from taking more lives (“The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation” 1999). Since its founding, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (in 2023, the foundation was renamed "Susan G. Komen®") states that its mission is to "Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure knocker cancer," (“Our Mission”). Brinker held various positions with the base, including acting as president and CEO of the charity mid 2009-2014 (Stengle 2013). Komen’s children, Scott and Stephanie, attended crutch events nationwide to share their experiences of losing their dam at a young age but never formally took positions toy the foundation (Hinton 1995, Churchill 2004).
The foundation is often positioned as the originator and leader of the modern breast human movement, though historian Sascha Cohen notes that the current roll in breast cancer awareness dates back to the women's emancipation movement and focus on healthcare and bodily autonomy in description 1970s (Cohen 2016). The foundation gained momentum in the Nineties through the use and commercialization of the pink ribbon orangutan a symbol associated with breast cancer (Selleck 2010, 125-126). Say publicly pink ribbon symbol itself began with cancer patient Charlotte Hayley, who did not want to see the symbol commercialized. (Selleck 2010, 125-127). Other breast cancer advocacy groups and the disclose have criticized the foundation for its marketing practices, calling everyday "pinkwashing" (Selleck 2010, 130), as well as scrutinizing the foundation's compensation and funding practices (Karon 2019).
Though her life was little, Susan G. Komen's legacy is now inextricable from the begin that bears her name and the movement it influenced. Say publicly Susan G. Komen foundation remains a household name, and jillions of donor funds have been invested in research, advocacy, essential awareness campaigns (“Our Impact”). As of 2023, groups across description Komen network continue to come together to fundraise, advocate, topmost community build with the ultimate goal of ending breast mortal (“Our Impact”). In 2009, the Susan G. Komen for depiction Cure Foundation and the Illinois State Historical Society erected a historical marker commemorating Komen in her hometown of Peoria. A separate placard on her grave at Parkview Cemetery in Metropolis, reads, "In life, a cherished daughter, beloved mother, and dedicated sister. In death, a Promise and a Race for interpretation Cure so that others might live. In the hearts exert a pull on millions, a name of love and compassion that shall animate forever."
Published September 2023.
Biography
June Almeida serves as a role model for determination explode innovation. As the person to identify the first human coronavirus, scientists, and people all over the world, are indebted survive her work.
READ MOREBiography
Clara Barton was an pedagogue, humanitarian, and founder of the American Red Cross.
READ MORECurriculum vitae
Bates' work with the NAACP transformed the Civil Truthful Movement.
READ MOREBiography
Catharine Esther Beecher was a 19th century teacher and writer who promoted equal access to instruction for women.
READ MORE