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 for the Cure®, the organization Nancy started in her honor. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since its 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 121 local Affiliate offices. At the heart of each Affiliate is a person or group of people who, like Susan, wanted to make a difference.

The Northeastern New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® began with conducting the organization’s premier fundraising event – the Komen Race for the Cure. The Albany Race for the Cure® began in 1995 with just 900 participants and was held at Washington Park Lakehouse in Albany, New York under the auspices of the Junior League of Albany. The Komen NENY Race grew steadily and now nearly 4,500 people participate each year. In 2002, the Race was moved to the Empire State Plaza to better accommodate its growing size. Also in 2002, the historic Freihofer’s Run for Women running course was first used for the 5K Race.

The Affiliate was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2000 with a seven member board and 501-C3 status apart from the Junior League of Albany. The Albany Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® originally served five counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga and Montgomery Counties. Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties were added to the Affiliate service area in 2003. In 2003, the name of the Affiliate was officially changed to the Northeastern New York Affiliate, to better reflect this expanded service area.

The Northeastern New York Affiliate has granted over $2.4 million to breast cancer screening, education, and treatment programs in our local affiliate area.