Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Susan G. Komen for the Cure been around?
Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by Nancy Brinker in 1980. It has grown to be the largest grass roots breast cancer organization of its kind in the world. Komen is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, and remains the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer across the globe.
The San Diego Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has served low-income, uninsured women for 17 years. More than $1.2 million is currently at work in San Diego to provide free services and education to uninsured women primarily in the Latina, African American, Young Women and Filipina communities where breast cancer is the most aggressive and most deadly.
What's the difference between Komen National and Komen San Diego?
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® operates on two levels: the national organization is solely responsible for granting and managing research grants. Next to the U.S. government, Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world; the 120 Affiliates of Susan G. Komen (such as here in San Diego) are responsible for studying the local community and disparities in accessing breast health services; raising money and granting it to local organizations to close the gaps to health care.
In San Diego, of every dollar we raise, 75 cents stays in the local community to fund everything from free mammograms and surgery to meal delivery, child care and temporary financial aid. The remaining 25 cents goes into a pool to help fund research grants at the National level. In April 2013 we granted $1.4 million to community grants and research.
How does Komen San Diego decide where to grant funds in the County?
All community grants issued by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliates are closely monitored to provide vital breast health education, screening and treatment services for underserved women. Komen Affiliates conduct community needs assessments to identify gaps in breast health and breast cancer services. All Komen Affiliate grant applications are solicited through an open request for proposals and are reviewed by a Grants Committee comprised of local physicians, community health professionals, and breast health advocates. Any nonprofit organization may apply for a Komen grant. The Grants Committee makes recommendations to the Affiliate’s Board of Directors. Grant recipients must provide detailed reports to the Affiliate at least bi-annually. It is a fair, very competitive and transparent process.
What is the difference between the Race for the Cure and The 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk?
The San Diego Race for the Cure set for Sunday, November 4, 2012 is part of an international series with more than 140 events, locally managed by Komen Affiliates and Komen non-profit partners. For every dollar raised by the San Diego Race for the Cure, 75% stays here in our County to fund everything from free mammograms and surgery to meal delivery, child care and temporary financial aid. The remaining 25% goes into a pool of money from all 120 affiliates to fund international research. Next to the U.S. government, Susan G. Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world.
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a national series with 14 events, centrally managed by the national Komen organization. The local affiliate does not produce this event. 75 percent of net funds raised are allocated by Komen Headquarters for breast cancer research while 25 percent of net funds support the Affiliate Network. San Diego is one of the host cities of The 3 Day (taking place November 16, 17 and 18, 2012).
Do you grant monies to Planned Parenthood?
The San Diego Affiliate does not provide funds to Planned Parenthood; the organization has never applied for funding here in our County. But the truth is that in some communities, Planned Parenthood may be the only source of free or low-cost women’s health screening services (e.g., pap smears, mammograms, clinical breast exams, etc.). A small number of Komen Affiliates provide restricted grants to local Planned Parenthood clinics that offer vital breast health services for underserved women. These services often provide otherwise unavailable breast screening for women ages 40 and older.
Komen and its Affiliates do not provide any funding for abortions or for any activities outside the scope of our promise to end breast cancer.