Breast cancer foundation launches Israel activities
Jerusalem selected to host Komen Race for the Cure event on October 28 with participants from all over country, worldwide
This initiative is a continuation of the organization's plan of action to work globally to discover and deliver the cures for breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a unique foundation as it combines the support for scientific research with funding for education, screening and treatment programs on a global scale.
The organization began with a promise between two sisters, Nancy Goodman Brinker and Susan Goodman Komen, when Susan was fighting her battle with breast cancer. Susan’s compassion for others and commitment to making a difference throughout her own ordeal moved her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, to promise her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.
That promise lives on in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and is an inspiration to people around the world.
Since this promise 30 years ago, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested nearly $1.5 billion US globally in research, education, screening, treatment and awareness programs particularly geared to low income communities where the need for outreach and education are greater.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat with Hadassah National President Nancy Falchuk, Hadassah Lieberman, head of delegation to Israel, Mayumana founder Nofar Eilon and fashion designer Dorin Frankfurt (Photo: Yossi Zamir)
The organization has invested more than $450 million to support scientific research and an additional $900 million to provide education, screening and treatment programs aimed at early detection and dealing with the disease. The organization has cooperated with more than 50 government and non-governmental organizations in five continents in order to develop solutions and strategies for dealing with the global breast cancer crisis.
During its years of operation the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has developed its unique Races – runs, walks and symbolic marches – coined the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series, as main vehicles for both raising awareness while empowering people and giving those who have the disease support and hope. The Komen Race for the Cure Series currently takes place in 141 cities globally.
Key vehicle for raising public awareness
Jerusalem has been selected to host the first Komen Race ever to be held in Israel with participants from all over the country who will be joined by participants from other countries. Participants will include leading public figures involved in raising awareness and education about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
The Komen races serve as a key vehicle for raising public awareness, and the race in Jerusalem will be opened by internationally renowned fashion designer Dorin Frankfurt, who has agreed to volunteer as honorary race chairperson.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women. In Israel alone breast cancer constitutes nearly 30% of all cancer cases and is the number one reason for death amongst women in Israel. In the last 25 years the frequency of diagnosis with breast cancer has gradually risen with over 4,000 new cases diagnosed every year hitting women at a younger age than ever up to a short time ago.
Hadassah's researchers in Israel have only recently been able to identify an apparent halt in the rise due to prevention measures and development of advanced techniques of treating breast cancer. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization has contributed over $2 million in Israel in the last 16 years to support varying breast cancer research projects as well as women’s outreach programs.
The Municipality of Jerusalem and the Hadassah World Zionist Organization are partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in this coming year’s projects which will take place in October 2010. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is the official host of the organizations launches events in Israel.
The 300,000-women strong Hadassah organization which began developing modern health care in pre-state Israel nearly a hundred years ago and has continued to support medicine, education and social welfare has partnered with Komen to increase awareness and treatment of breast cancer.
The work of the Hadassah hospitals in Jerusalem serves as an everyday testimony to the wide attention and focuses on issues of women health and breast cancer treatment.
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