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®, the organization Nancy started in her honor. Komen is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $2.2 billion to our mission, including more than $750 million to breast cancer research, since 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 more than 120 Affiliates across the United States and internationally. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

Inland Empire Affiliate story

The Inland Empire Affiliate incorporated in 1998 and hosted its inaugural Race for the Cure® in 1999. The Inland Empire Affiliate service area covers more than 27,000 square miles serving a population of over 4.2 Million residents residing in Riverside County, San Bernardino County and the Coachella Valley. Since inception, the Inland Empire Affiliate has awarded grants totaling nearly $6 million dollars to local non-profit organizations in the Inland Empire to fund breast health education, diagnostic services and treatment support.

Through events and donations, Susan G. Komen is able to bring funding and hope to the fight against breast cancer.  Each year the Komen Race for the Cure and Affiliate events raise significant funds and awareness for breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who have lost their battle with the disease. With pledges from these events and donations throughout the year, strides are being made to continue the quest for a cure.

Each year, 75 percent of our net proceeds are awarded through a grant process to local organizations. Each grantee conducts a program that offers breast cancer education, screening or treatment to residents in the Inland Empire area. Since the Affiliate’s inception in 1998, nearly $6 million has been given to local organizations that provide breast cancer education, diagnostic services, and treatment support for the uninsured or underinsured in the Inland Empire. The remaining 25 percent is directed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Grant Program to fund ground breaking breast cancer research on a national and international level. The Affiliate has also dedicated more than $1.5 million towards breast cancer research programs. 

The promise of Susan G. Komen is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for everyone and energizing science to find the cures.

The 2013-2014 grants slate moves Komen for the Cure closer to accomplishing its goal of investing another $2 billion in breast cancer research and community health programs by 2017. Komen Inland Empire has invested $540,037 back into the local community during the 2013-2014 Community Grant Cycle.

Each Affiliate has unique community needs as identified in our 2011 Community Profile. Click here to learn more about how to apply for a grant or learn more about our current grant recipients.

Komen Inland Empire Community Grant Award History

• Every few years, the Inland Empire Affiliate conducts a Community Profile Assessment to identify local gaps in services. This document serves as a roadmap for the Affiliate to prioritize funding needs.

• An independent volunteer review committee consisting of members from the local communities reviews and evaluates grant application requests based on priorities determined in the Community Profile Assessment, as well as impact, feasibility, capacity, collaboration, and sustainability.

• Up to 75 percent of the Affiliate’s net income goes toward funding grants to community organizations that provide breast health education and breast cancer diagnostic services and treatment support programs for medically underserved women. The remaining net income (a minimum of 25 percent) supports the national Komen Grants Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

• Of the 75% that remains in our local community, the following list is the history of all awards granted by the Affiliate throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Your generosity extends beyond these funded programs and services; your support has helped save lives.