Why Komen?

Why Komen?

Why the Los Angeles County Affiliate?

 The reason behind the “running ribbon.”


“Why Komen?” is an awareness program that employs six areas to educate volunteers, donors, grantees and the general public by providing in-depth, honest and useful information of how your donation of time, talents and dollars are a worthwhile investment into our community and help fulfill the promise to end breast cancer forever.
 
Much of the public believes that all pink ribbons are the same, but this is not true.   Please read below to learn how Komen is different and how your donation, no matter how large or small can be a part of big change. 

1. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the only breast cancer organization where 75% of funds raised stays in our community and goes directly to local services and resources for Los Angeles County residents through our community grants.
2. The remaining 25% of the funds raised goes directly to national research. Every advance in breast cancer has been touched by Komen. Since its inception, Komen has been involved in every important advancement in breast cancer.
3. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been recognized by Charity Navigator’s highest rating for 3 years in a row.
4. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is part of a robust national organization that is the number one source of nonprofit funds in the fight against breast cancer.
5. The Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a local grass roots organization in your community.
6. Susan G. Komen for the Cure focuses solely on breast cancer.

1.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the only breast cancer organization where 75% of funds raised stays in our community and goes directly to local services and resources for Los Angeles County residents through our community grants.

In order to ensure that local funding addresses the unmet breast health needs in LA County, the Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate conducts bi-annual assessments to determine where gaps in breast cancer services exist to guide the selection of local grant recipients and the design of special projects for collaboration.  These awards help bridge these gaps for 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 need is growing along with the unemployment rate and, consequently, the number of uninsured. Recently, California State funding for the ‘Cancer Detection Program: Every Woman Counts’ that helps provide breast cancer screening for uninsured women ages 40 and above has been drastically cut. These cuts will significantly affect LA County because of our growing uninsured population. Your fundraising can help bridge the gap, so that every woman really does count.

2.  The remaining 25% of the funds raised goes directly to national research. Every advance in breast cancer has been touched by Komen.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research and community health programs. With more than $1.5 billion invested to date, Komen for the Cure is moving ahead with its commitment to invest $2 billion by the year 2017. We’ve helped train more than 400 breast cancer researchers and funded more than 1,800 research projects over the past 27 years.

3.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been recognized by Charity Navigator’s highest rating for 3 years in a row. 

Charity Navigator is the nation's largest, most-utilized and coveted evaluator of charities. Based on our financial strength and organization efficiency, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating – four stars – for three years in a row. This high honor demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of your gifts.

4.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is part of a robust national organization that is the number one source of nonprofit funds in the fight against breast cancer. 

As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cure.

5.  The Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a local grassroots organization in your community. 

The LA Affiliate staffs 5 exceptionally dedicated employees, that’s it! The rest of the affiliate and all of our initiatives are powered by our committee chairs and volunteers and funded by donors who either contribute throughout the year, or participate in the fundraising efforts of our annual Komen Los Angeles County Race for the Cure®.  Join our team and be a part of making a difference in your own community, www.komenlacounty.org

6.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is dedicated solely to breast cancer. 

As a predominately grassroots organization, we know we can’t be all things to all people. Our organizational success is based on community members giving donations, time and talent to be leaders. Thus, we address one cancer…….breast cancer. We take one cause and fight it to the best of our ability. We are united and passionate because breast cancer has affected us directly or touched the life of someone we love.