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 123 Affiliate and 3 international offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference. The Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded in 1999 by Susan Willis, Nancy Companion, and Eileen Werber.

The Komen Tidewater Affiliate will celebrate ten years of service in September 2009.  In 1998, a core group of three volunteers had the vision for an affiliate in the southeastern Virginia area and received affiliate designation from Susan G. Komen in 1999.  The first Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure® was held in October 2000 and, with approximately 3,400 participants, was the fifth largest inaugural race in Komen history.  In the first year, the affiliate awarded $99,502 in grants and sent $40,500 to the Komen Award and Research Program.
 
With the support of its signature event, the Komen Tidewater Affiliate Race for the Cure®, and many other events, the affiliate has raised over $2.3 million through fiscal year end March 31, 2008 and contributed over $332,000 to the Komen Award and Research Program.  The Board of Directors is fully staffed 257 volunteers raise funds through a wide variety of events, including golf and bowling tournaments, Pink Martini Nights, Pink Tie Gala, Hoops for the Cure (a partnership with the Lady Monarchs Women’s Basketball team from Old Dominion University), and Pink in the Rink (partnered by the Norfolk Admirals Hockey Team).  The affiliate also has an active speaker’s bureau, providing breast health education presentations to large and small groups of all sizes.