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 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 122 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

The Northeast-Central Louisiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud to be part of the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists - the only grassroots organization fighting to cure breast cancer at every stage, from the causes to the cures and the pain and anxiety of every moment in between.

Chartered in May 1996, the Northeast-Central Louisiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is committed to:

• Raising awareness of breast health issues.

• Educating our community on breast cancer statistics and Susan G. Komen for the Cure's breast health recommendations.

• Raising funds to fund local education, screening and treatment grants, as well s research grants at the national level.

75 percent of net proceeds raised by our Affiliate remains in the Northeast-Central Louisiana community to fund community projects related to breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment. The remainder of the net proceeds (a minimum of 25 percent) will support Komen's National Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research.

Due to the support of local sponsors, volunteers, and 9.539 race participants combined in the NELA and Alexandria Races, Komen Northeast-Central Louisiana awarded more than $257,000 in grants in 2010 for local breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs to Delhi Hospital, the Louisiana Cancer Foundation, Morehouse General Hospital, Richardson Medical Center, St Frances Cabrini Hospital, SFMC Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center and LA Tech.

Local grants are restricted to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs to educate the community about the importance of breast health and early detection, to assist the medically underserved in our community and to support those battling this disease.

Local volunteers have acted on behalf of the Northeast-Central Louisiana Affiliate through outreach programs designed to increase awareness and knowledge of breast health and Komen activities. Increasing awareness of breast health practices through distribution of educational materials and speakers is vital to achieving our Promise. Whether the audience is 5 or 500, Komen Northeast-Central Louisiana seeks to get the word out.

Komen Northeast-Central Loiusiana is primarily volunteer based with an office in the Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center at St. Francis North Hospital in Monroe, LA employing two full time staff members. If you would like to volunteer with Komen Northeast-Central Louisiana please call us at 318-966-8130.