Komen continued to harness the momentum of breast cancer awareness into the 1990s, as the popularity of the ubiquitous pink ribbon also rose and more companies began creating breast cancer awareness tie-ins. Brinker herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984. First lady Betty Ford, wife of President Gerald Ford, prompted an increase in mammograms back in 1974 after she announced she had breast cancer. The pageantry of the races, with survivors and supporters decked out in pink, carrying signs and cheering each other on along the way, became an iconic part of the breast cancer awareness movement.īrinker’s charity efforts were also buoyed by a rising tide of breast cancer awareness in the 1980s. This level of marketing savvy was one of the reasons the foundation got so popular so quickly. The idea ballooned from there, becoming a multi-city event within years. In 1983, Brinker had the idea to capitalize on the jogging fad and hold a 5K race in Dallas as a fundraising event. Allen Eyestone/Daily News/USA Today Network Komen's sister, founded the charity in her memory. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. Brinker, who was married to restaurant magnate Norman Brinker until 2000, would go on to become the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control. It was Nancy Brinker who founded the organization in Komen’s honor. Despite undergoing various treatment strategies, Komen died three years later. When Komen was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, she and her family went through all of the terror and uncertainty one does when faced with a life-threatening disease. According to her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, she was well-liked a homecoming queen and caring older sister. Komen was born Susan Goodman, and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. In fact, it was only after Komen’s death that her name became so incredibly famous. She did not publicize her illness, which took her life in 1980 at the age of 36. The foundation’s Race for the Cure is known as the one of the largest breast cancer awareness events created, and is as synonymous with the cause as the iconic pink ribbon. Since its founding in 1982, the nonprofit has invested more than $1 billion in cancer research, and more than $2 billion in patient outreach, according to financial documents. Komen is one of the largest, most recognized breast cancer organizations in the world.
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