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Over the past 25 years, Komen has invested more than $1 billion in the fight against the disease, and will invest another $2 billion over the next decade. We are also investing our time, our energy and our passion in the fight to spare other women and families the pain of this devastating disease.
We have made remarkable strides over the years in research, education, screening and treatment. But there is so much more to do. Women are dying needlessly of breast cancer. This year alone, 1.1 million people around the world will be diagnosed with breast cancer - 410,000 will die of the disease. In the U.S. and around the world huge barriers and disparities loom – especially for racial and ethnic minorities, women with low incomes, and those with little or no health insurance.
To ensure that our promise to end breast cancer forever is fulfilled, scientific advances and private investment must be accompanied by sound public health policy at all levels of government. That is why public policy advocacy is so vital to Komen and its Affiliate network. Through its signature grassroots advocacy program, Komen Champions for the Cure™, Komen has become a global leader in breast cancer public policy. Maintaining and enhancing this leadership role in the breast cancer movement demands that Komen continue to increase its investment in the policy arena. And it demands that the organization harness and leverage the power of its grassroots network, both in the U.S. and around the world.
To enhance our successful public policy efforts, we have established the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance. The Komen Advocacy Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that will allow us to build upon the bold public policy successes of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and take our policy efforts to the next level. As a 501c4 organization, the Alliance has more latitude to advocate for life-saving breast cancer public policy change.
Komen has made significant strides in the war on breast cancer over the past 25 years, but we have a long way to go. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance will bring us closer to Komen's promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever
About I Vote for the Cure (TM)
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance has launched I Vote for the Cure™ to educate voters and challenge the presidential candidates to make breast cancer a priority – in their platforms, and for our country. We are challenging candidates to address three achievable goals that will save lives and help end breast cancer forever: increasing investment in translational research, improving access to screening, and ensuring quality treatment for all women.
What You Can Do Join Komen Champions for the Cure™ -- as we educate Congress, the President and other policymakers about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Visit: komenpolicy.org
Communicate With Congress
Your elected officials can't hear from you enough on this issue! Send them e-mails, faxes, hand-written letters, call them, and visit them in person.
Write a Letter to the Editor of Your Local Paper
Writing a Letter to the Editor (LTE) of your town or city's paper is a great way to spread the word about breast cancer issues and educate your neighbors about how they can help.
Get Involved Locally
Get involved with other concerned people in your own community by joining the Sacramento Affiliate. Join others in your community in the fight against breast cancer.
Get Informed
Read about current public policy issues and Komen’s advocacy leadership initiatives. Read our success stories to learn how individuals like you can make a difference. |
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One more is too many – Close the Gap!
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the heart-wrenching story of Shirley Loewe, who was uninsured when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shirley went to the wrong clinic and was caught in a "legal loophole" that denied Medicaid coverage for her treatment. Sadly, Shirley lost her battle with breast cancer in June.
Read the article here.
Every woman deserves access to quality breast cancer treatment that can save her life. Surviving breast cancer should not depend on where you live, the color of your skin, or how much money you make. Please help by urging your elected officials to ensure that not one more woman has to endure what Shirley did!
America's next president could save lives—but only if you ask. By taking a moment to sign the I Vote for the Cure petition, which outlines three critical goals in the fight to end breast cancer, you can let our next leader know that you expect him or her to make breast cancer a national priority—in their platforms and for our country.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Women are dying every day, when common-sense policies could ensure that every woman in America has access to high-quality breast health care. Take this easy step to make sure our next president hears from as many Americans as possible: we want a plan to end breast cancer forever!
Join Komen’s advocacy efforts here.
This year alone, more than 217,000 American women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 40,000 will die from this devastating disease. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 59,390 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women during 2006. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 40-50. Tell us why you care about breast cancer.
Contact: communications@komen
sacramento.org or 916-492-6474, ext. 106
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