International Races
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series® originated in1983 in Dallas, Texas, USA, and is recognized as the world’s largest and most successful series of 5K run/fitness walk events designed to raise public awareness of breast cancer. When Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen® organized the first Komen Race for the Cure in 1983 in Dallas, she didn’t know that her revolutionary concept would be so popular. From the first event’s 800 participants, the concept has now expanded to annual Races that attract hundreds of thousands of participants in more than 120 locations globally.
Thanks to the interest, hard work and collaboration of a variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies, and individuals who want to make a difference in breast cancer mortality rates, Komen Race for the Cure events are being organized in places throughout the world Ambassador Brinker never dreamed of 30 years ago.
In 2018, we expect to have 14 international Races in 9 countries and territories. International Komen Race for the Cure events are unique in each country, however, they all share the common goal of a world without breast cancer.
The following international races are currently scheduled. Click on the country name for more information.
| Affiliate | Location | 2018 Race Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | SG Puerto Rico | San Juan, Puerto Rico | March 4 |
| 2. | SG Komen Italia | Rome, Italy | May 20, 21, 22 |
| 3. | SG Komen Italia | Bari, Italy | May 27, 28, 29 |
| 4. | SG Komen Italia | Bologna, Italy | September 23, 24, 25 |
| 5. | SG Komen Italia | Brescia, Italy | October 7 |
| Note: Komen Italia events last 3 days, the actual 5K is on the final day | |||
| NGO Race Partner | Location | 2018 Race Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | Marathon Bahamas | Paradise Island, Nassau, The Bahamas | January 13 |
| 7. | Renasterea Foundation | Bucharest, Romania | June 9 |
| 8. | Women Wellness Care Alliance “HERA” | Tbilisi, Georgia | September 30 |
| 9. | Think-Pink | Namur, Belgium | September 30 |
| 10. | Think-Pink | Brussels, Belgium | September 30 |
| 11. | Think-Pink | Antwerp, Belgium | September 30 |
| 12. | Pan-Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer “Alma Zois” | Athens, Greece | September 30 |
| 13. | Women’s Health Empowerment Program, JDC | Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina | September 30 |
| 14. | Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | October 6 |
International Affiliates of Susan G. Komen® currently operate in Italy and Puerto Rico. Thanks to the millions of women and men who have joined Komen’s global breast cancer movement, Komen is the world’s largest source of nonprofit funds for breast cancer.
Name/Contact: Susan G. Komen Italia onlus
Website/Email:www.komen.it / www.raceforthecure.it / komenitalia@komen.it
Circonvallazione Clodia, 78/a
00195 – Roma
Centr. 06.3540551/2
Tel 06.30.50.988
Fax 06.30.13.671
info@komen.it
- Susan G. Komen Italia’s activities began with their “Educational Program in Breast Cancer in Italy” in 1999 and shortly thereafter, they became an Affiliate of Susan G. Komen®. In May 2000, Komen Italia conducted its first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Rome, the first ever held in Europe. In 2007, the Affiliate began expanding its Race series and there are now annual Races in Rome, Bari, Bologna, Brescia.
- Komen Italia focuses on raising awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, conducting educational programs and campaigns, investing in survivor support programs across the country and raising money to fund screening and treatment programs for underserved women in Italy.
- The Rome Race has now grown to be the largest Race for the Cure event in the world attracting 63,000 participants and 5,000 breast cancer survivors.During the two days before each Race, Komen Italia’s Health Village provides free breast cancer screening to underserved women. Doctors and technicians volunteer their time to screen women who otherwise would not be able to afford the exams.
- Since its inception in 2000, the Affiliate has awarded 351 grants to 164 nonprofit organizations in 19 Italian regions totaling more than 2.7 million Euros. The Affiliate has supported 251 fellowships related to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. More than 49,000 women have been served and 112 breast cancers have been detected at Komen Italia Health Villages where the Affiliate offers high-quality and free screening opportunities to underserved and high-risk women.
- Komen Italia has built a strong network of nearly 150 nonprofit partner organizations.
- 1,132 free educational sessions for 44,150 attendees were held in 105 Italian cities to date.
- The Affiliate conducts year-round awareness events, produces culturally-appropriate educational materials and has successfully partnered with corporations to conduct cause related marketing campaigns.
Maria Grazia, breast cancer survivor and participant in the theater therapy course lead by Komen Italia’s grantee T.E.C.T.A. Clan H
“Being faced with breast cancer completely stopped my ability to think and make decisions. I felt very insecure. I was reluctant during my first time at the theater-therapy course, but with each time I felt better and I couldn’t wait to go back. The night of our final performance in front of a large audience, I was a new woman. I felt self-confident. Empowered. If somebody asked me what this experience has given to me, I’d answer: It gave me my life back!”
Name/Contact: Puerto Rico Affiliate of Susan G. Komen®;
Doral Bldg., Suite 401, 650 Muñoz Rivera Ave., 00918 San Juan, Puerto Rico;
787- 751-9096 or 787-282-6611
Website/Email:www.komenpr.org / ca.sanchez@komenpr.org
- Susan G. Komen Puerto Rico was established in March 2003 and held its first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in October 2005 in San Juan. Komen Puerto Rico has grown to be the leading breast cancer organization on the island with the mission to save live by educating the public about the importance of early detection and ensuring quality screening and treatment for all.
- Since 2010, the Affiliate has invested more than 1.6 million USDs in its community grants program which seeks to provide access to quality care to underserved populations and support to those affected by the disease. In 2015, Komen Puerto Rico grants provided over 2,000 mammograms and early screening tests for underserved women and more than 235 breast cancer patients received financial assistance in support of treating their disease.
- Susan G. Komen Puerto Rico’s community education programs reach approximately 2.1 million people each year. Their signature education program Banderas creates educational links with different groups of the community, such as schools, organizations, corporations, and government entities. Over 40 partnerships have been established through the Banderas program and supports Komen’s programs in the following three categories: Health Education, Communication, and Volunteer Bank.
- The Race for the Cure in San Juan has experienced tremendous growth and now attracts over 15,000 participants and 500 breast cancer survivors. It is the largest event of its kind on the island and will celebrate its 10th anniversary on October 5, 2014.
Cynthia Medina, Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 35
“I never imagined that an educational piece of Susan G. Komen Puerto Rico was going to change my life. When I held it in my hands, I just knew that I had to take it with me. When I found a lump in my left breast, I first thought I was way too young to have breast cancer. You always think it’s not going to happen to you. Now I know how important it is to know what’s normal for you and to take action immediately when noticing a change.”
Belgium: v.z.w. Think-Pink is a Brussels-based national breast cancer organization founded in 2007. Susan G. Komen entered into a partnership with Think-Pink in October 2008. The organization’s four areas of focus are:
- Breast health education
- Spreading awareness and encouraging women to participate in the national mammography screening program in Belgium
- Raise funds to support breast cancer programs and survivor support.
- Provide financial support to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer
In partnership with Susan G. Komen, Think-Pink is currently conducting three annual Race for the Cure® events in Antwerp, Brussels and Namur. For more details about participating in these Races or supporting Think-Pink, please visit www.raceforthecure.be or www.think-pink.be.
Georgia: Women Wellness Care Alliance “HERA” is a non-profit organization established by female health professionals in 2000, HERA is dedicated to improving breast health and eliminating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease in Georgia. HERA’s goals are to promote early detection of breast cancer and treatment, improve the quality of breast health care services, eliminate stigma surrounding breast cancer and advocate for underserved women.
The 8th annual Georgia Race for the Cure®, a collaboration between Women Wellness Care Alliance “HERA” and Susan G Komen, took place in Tbilisi on October 30, 2016.
For more information about participating in this Race or supporting HERA, please visit www.georgiarace.com.
Greece: The Pan-Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer “Alma Zois” was founded in 1988 by breast cancer survivors who aspired to offer to other survivors the necessary support for dealing with their illness and achieving a better quality of life. In the last 20+ years, the Association has grown and numbers 1,200 survivor members and many associate (non-survivor) members. The Board of Directors consists of seven members, all of whom are breast cancer survivors. The Association’s scientific work is designed by full-time mental health professionals and is approved by a 23-member multidisciplinary Scientific Committee.
Their vision is to offer every woman in Greece information on breast cancer prevention and early detection and full psychosocial support to every woman who deals with breast cancer. Alma Zois provides many services including organized peer support, psychosocial support to breast cancer patients and their families, breast cancer awareness campaigns and advocacy campaigns for the breast cancer patient’s rights.
The 8th annual Greece Race for the Cure®, a collaboration between Alma Zois and Susan G Komen ®, took place in Athens, September 25, 2016. For more information about participating in this Race or supporting Alma Zois, please visit www.almazois.gr/race.
Tanzania: The Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation (TBCF) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization which was founded by a group of determined local breast cancer survivors. These women recognized the importance of creating an active and efficient support system for breast cancer patients which was lacking in Tanzania..
Their aim is to address the limitations in care and support services available to breast cancer patients in Tanzania. TBCF wants to create a future where no one in Tanzania has to deal with fighting the disease alone. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life of women living with breast cancer and their families through provision of counseling, education, financial assistance, advocacy and advisory services. The Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation is the first and only of its kind in the country and receives an overwhelming amount of patients. For more information, please visit breastcancertz.org.
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Romania: Renasterea Foundation for Women’s Health is a Romanian NGO established in September 2001 ,with a mission to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast and cervical cancer, promoting the need for a national screening program in Romania.
For the last 15 years, the Foundation has developed information campaigns, has acquired and operated 2 mammography vans offering free of charge mammography to more than 18,000 women in rural areas. In 2015, Renasterea Foundation and Susan G Komen Foundation joined forces in organizing the first edition of Race for the Cure Romania. More than 2500 people participated, making it the most important awareness, educational and fundraising event for breast cancer. Every year, on October 1st, Renasterea illuminates in pink the most representative buildings in Bucharest to remind women to do the annual medical check-up.
Renasterea Foundation is currently conducting one annual Race for the Cure® event in Bucharest. For more details, please visit www.fundatiarenasterea.ro or Facebook/Fundatia Renasterea
