Susan G. Komen for the Cure
NEWS



Komen 2008 Top 10 Accomplishments

  1. We voted for the cure! More than 110,000 people signed the I Vote for the Cure® petition, and both presidential candidates responded to our questionnaire asking them to share their cancer policy priorities. We also registered more than 1,000 new voters in more than 70 cities.


  2. We worked to 'Close the Gap.' We completed the Komen Community Challenge, our nationwide grassroots advocacy tour to help close the gap in access to quality health care and reignite the urgency of the breast cancer movement. We engaged elected officials as we hosted rallies, town halls, roundtables, lobby days and education events in communities across the country.


  3. We took to the Hill. In June, more than 300 breast cancer activists from 39 states joined the chairs of the House Cancer Caucus and breast cancer advocate Ricardo Chavira for a rally on the Capitol steps before heading off to meet with their Members of Congress.


  4. We enacted policy in Washington. At our urging, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act in October.


  5. We were 'Champions' in the states. Despite tight state budgets, we were able to garner more than $4 million in state funding for breast cancer programs.


  6. We hit the road. Komen on the Go was at both the Democratic and Republican conventions to raise awareness of our priorities and urge delegates and attendees to "Vote for the Cure."


  7. We testified before Congress. Komen leadership provided critical patient and health disparities testimony during committee hearings in the House and Senate.


  8. We partnered with Congress. Throughout 2008, we worked closely with the offices of Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on comprehensive cancer legislation and look forward to its introduction in 2009.


  9. We turned the White House pink. In October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the White House was lit pink to help raise global awareness and empower women to take charge of their health.


  10. They asked, we answered. By December 31, we will have hosted dozens of house parties and health care reform community discussions across the country, bringing Americans together to answer the Presidential Transition Team's call for input on this issue.


These are all great accomplishments, but we are not done yet. Until the day we stop losing our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends to this disease, we will be in Washington, D.C. and state capitals around the country working with our elected officials to put an end to breast cancer. As we unite to affect change, we need you – our committed activists – by our side. We are so grateful for your efforts, and we look forward to your support as we continue to build the Komen Advocacy Alliance.