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 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 Texas Affiliate story

The history of the Komen Central Texas Affiliate is rich with many dedicated and passionate breast cancer survivors, volunteers and advocates who donate their time, energy and knowledge to the mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.  The Affiliate was established in 2000 with a small group of survivors and activists committed to spreading the life-saving message of early detection and to supporting breast cancer screening and diagnostic programs in Central Texas.  Today, we have many volunteers committed to saving lives, empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. 

It employs one staff member and is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors. The CTA is comprised of six counties to include Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, McLennan, and Milam Counties with a total population of 650,753.  The area lies within the Heart of Texas, centrally located between the urban areas of Dallas/Ft Worth and Austin, Texas.  The Affiliate has grown tremendously since its beginning more than 11 years ago. Through events like the Komen Central Texas Race for the Cure, the Affiliate has invested over $1.9 M in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects.  Seventy-five percent of net proceeds generated by the CTA stay in the Affiliate while the remaining income goes to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program to support research, educational, and scientific endeavors. In 2000, the CTA granted their first grant to one institution for $5000.00.  

Up to 75 percent of the net income from the Komen Central Texas Race for the Cure® and other fundraising activities remain in the community to fund breast cancer education and screening programs in our 6 county area. Komen for the Cure – Central Texas Affiliate sends a minimum of 25 percent of our net income to support The Komen for the Cure National Award and Research Grant Program.

The Central Texas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a non-profit corporation. We are a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.