About Us

At Susan G. Komen for the Cure® we know that ending breast cancer forever is about more than curing a medical condition - it's about overcoming the cultural, social, and financial conditions that prevent women from receiving life-saving breast health care and treatment. 

The Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate raises funds to support local breast cancer services and national breast cancer research programs.  A major focus is to help women who have symptoms of breast cancer but cannot afford diagnostic work or treatment - either because they do not have health insurance or because their insurance company will not pay.  Of all breast cancer foundations, Komen is the only organization where 75% of the net proceeds stay in the communities where they are raised. 

Learn more....

Los Angeles County Komen for the Cure Facts

• Over $7.5 million has been distributed in the LA County Affiliate's 13 years
• The Fourteenth LA County Race for the Cure® was held Sunday, March 14, 2010
• First LA County Race for the Cure® held February 18, 1996 - 4,000 participants.
• Notable LA County Affiliate celebrity spokespersons: 2009 - Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace), Emily Proctor (CSI Miami), Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Taylor Hicks (2006 American Idol winner); 2006 - Jennifer Love Hewitt; 2005 - Mary Steenburgen; 2003 - Jorha Fox (CBS TV's "CSI") who lost one of her best friends to breast cancer; 2002 - Marg Helgenberger (CBS TV's "CSI") whose mother is a breast cancer survivor; 2001 - Christina Applegate whose mother and manager are both breast cancer survivors
• Chapter incorporated as affiliate charter granted July 1996 

The centerpiece of events for both raising funds and awareness is our Susan G. Komen Los Angeles Race for the Cure.    The March 14, 2010 Race will take place at Dodger Stadium this year. 

Our 125 Challenge reminds us that we can help year-round in a measurable way by funding an amount equal to or in multiples of the average cost of a mammogram to actively save lives with early detection.

Additionally, many other events presented by committed companies, organizations and individuals are held in October and throughout the year with the goal of raising funds to benefit the Los Angeles County Affiliate. 

The Los Angeles County Affiliate also participates in national Komen events including Passionately Pink for the Cure® and Wacoal Fit for the Cure®.

How the Funds Are Distributed

In order to ensure that local funding addresses the unmet breast health needs in LA County, the Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate conducts an annual assessment to determine where gaps in breast cancer services exist and then selects local grant recipients, designs special projects for collaboration and gives awards to bridge these gaps to hospitals, clinics, support groups and other organizations supporting breast cancer education, screening, diagnostic procedures, treatment and support services throughout the County of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Affiliate has been particularly instrumental in helping to fund programs for women and men under 40 who reside in LA County and who are not eligible for state or federal programs.

The 25% balance of the net funds raises supports the Komen Foundation's National Grant Program that is regarded as the most innovative and responsive grant program in breast cancer research today.

Speaker's Bureau

The Los Angeles County Affiliate Speaker's Bureau offers outreach programs to groups and organizations to increase awareness and knowledge of breast health practices.  Topics can include inspiring survivor stories, the Komen Foundation and the programs it supports, and general breast health practices.  To book a speaker, call the Los Angeles County Affiliate office at (310) 575-3011.