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.

West Michigan Affiliate story

In 1997, a breast cancer survivor named Lori Fedewa met with a few friends to tell them about an event called the Race for the Cure®. It seemed like an overwhelming task to bring the Race to the Grand Rapids community, but she pursued the dream and slowly the idea caught on. Our first Race was held downtown Grand Rapids in September of 1998.

In 1999, the Grand Rapids Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was incorporated. A Board of Directors was established to oversee the activities of the Affliliate. In addition to the Race for the Cure®, the local Affiliate sponsors fundraising events throughout the year such as the BMW Ultimate Drive® and Passionately Pink for the Cure. In our 12 year existence, with the help of the generous West Michigan Community, we have raised over $2 million dollars for the cause of breast cancer.

The Komen Grand Rapids Affiliate opened our first office in January of 2003. The Affiliate had been run strictly by volunteers up to this point and so a part-time office assistant was hired. Today, our Affiliate staff of 5 workers, are available to answer phones and provide information on breast health and the resources that are available in our community. The Affiliate is also actively involved in supporting education programs throughout the community.

In 2011, the Affiliate name changed from Grand Rapids to West Michigan to better show the service-area that we encompass.