For Eunice, being part of Susan G. Komen’s ShareForCures® breast cancer research registry isn’t just a professional commitment — it’s deeply personal. “I’ve always believed in the power of community to make change,” Eunice shared, reflecting on her journey as a breast cancer survivor and her role at Komen.
As General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Komen and an advocate for advancing research, Eunice described why she felt compelled to take action: “The more that my data can be used for the purpose of research, the better. Being someone of Asian American descent, where there’s not as much representation in these research trials or research studies, made it all the more important for me.”
Eunice was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2021 at the age of 41. She had been a Komen employee for two years prior to her diagnosis and decided to seek answers when she felt a faint lump. “I made an appointment as soon as I felt the lump and from there, the whole process began,” she shared. Read more of her story here.
Research is Transformative
Eunice’s decision to join ShareForCures came down to one simple truth: survivors and those impacted by breast cancer have the power to shape research in ways no one else can. “I think it’s transformative,” she shared. “The more data that we can collect on breast cancer patients, the greater our chances of finding those treatments that are so needed to allow women to live longer, healthier lives and to defeat the deadly breast cancers.”
ShareForCures is Komen’s breast cancer research registry that enables those who have or have had breast cancer to securely share their health data with researchers, offering critical insights into treatment outcomes, disparities and disease progression. By participating, Eunice knew she was contributing to a collective effort that could save lives.
“The more research, the better,” Eunice said.
“I think about COVID a lot and how quickly the world came together to create a vaccine to counter and combat the virus, and that took a lot of cooperation internationally. Every country working together. It’s just illustrative of how important research is because that vaccine didn’t happen overnight,” she said.
Security First
For Eunice, who had participated in another research registry where she received treatment, supplying her breast health data to ShareForCures was vital.
“I think I’m in a unique position because I do see all the work that goes into protecting the data. I have insight into all the controls that Komen has put in place because of my role at Komen, in terms of overseeing data privacy,” she shared. “No data privacy measures today are fullproof. I don’t care what institution, what organization, what measures you put into place. It’s a matter of whether you have implemented the best practices that exist. And we have. The current state of data privacy coupled with all the measures that Komen has taken and put into place with policies, procedures, technical safeguards and controls, in terms of safety, gives me comfort.”
When someone joins ShareForCures, they are contributing to groundbreaking research efforts, which is the number one way we will find cures, faster.
“Without data, there is no research, and this is the only way, as survivors, that we can combat the deadly diseases,” Eunice said.
A Part of the Movement
Through ShareForCures, Eunice continues to honor her experience while encouraging other survivors, or those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), to amplify their experiences for the good of research.
“You’ve already done the hard part, ” she said. “Now, this is the part where you can give back to others in the future who are going to go through it too.”
Learn more about ShareForCures on the landing page, or join an upcoming virtual info session to answer any questions and meet the people involved in this tremendous effort. Together, we can fuel discoveries and create a future where cures exist.
