There are 2 prominent women in the fight against breast cancer and they are both named Susan. Susan Komen and Susan Love both have foundations with a very similar directive, ”A Future without Breast Cancer”.
The difference between the 2 Susans is Susan Komen’s charity is looking for a cure and Susan Love’s charity is looking for the cause.
Dr. Love first published her book, ‘Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book’ in 1998 and has been updated to the current 5th edition. This book is considered the “Bible of Breast Cancer” by just about everyone. That is doctors, patients, supporters, clinicians and moi!
Dr. Love’s mission statement is “We need to go beyond the cure. We need to stop people from getting breast cancer in the first place.”
Dr. Love has partnered with the Avon foundation for women to make themselves a formidable force in the research of causes and prevention of breast cancer. The ‘Army of Women’ is an arm of the foundation that supports research from actual women joining. I have participated in several research studies sponsored by the Army of Women. I strongly recommend others to join and be alerted to a ‘call of action’ from a researcher to see if you qualify for one of their studies.
The other Susan in breast cancer is Susan Komen. Susan died of breast cancer at age 36 in 1980 after a 3-year struggle. She asked her sister Nancy Brinker to promise to ”end breast cancer forever”. Nancy started the Susan Komen Foundation now called Komen for the Cure in 1982.Komen.org is the world’s largest nonprofit foundation fighting breast cancer with affiliates across the USA and in 30 other countries.
Komen’s mission statement is “To save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering others, ensuring quality care for all and investing in science to find the cures.”
Truly the Komen foundation and their Awareness campaign have changed how people talk and treat breast cancer. Before 1982 breast cancer was spoken in hushed tones.
Welcome to October, breast cancer awareness month. Above are two extraordinary examples of one person making a difference. Is the next woman you?