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 $1.3 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.

Komen Greater Amarillo's History

In 1990 a Circle of friends, Charlotte Rhodes, Joyce Courson, Sharon Oeschger, Paula Gibson, Kathy Sheldon, Mary Jane Keast, and Nancy Williams traveled to Dallas, Texas to observe their Race for the Cure.  Amarillo’s first Race for the Cure® was held September 28, 1991 at Westgate Mall.  Our first chairs for the event were Karla Coon and Tricia Gassett.  We started out with about 200 runners and raised over $4,000.00.  In 2003 the Amarillo Race for the Cure was moved downtown with hundreds of participants and an official local affiliate was incepted with Komen’s National Headquarters.  With Gil Farren chairing, the first board of directors was created to pursue breast cancer and breast health outreach on a year-round basis.  The Greater Amarillo Race for the Cure is now the largest foot race in our area with over 5,000 participants.

Since its inception, the Komen Greater Amarillo Affiliate has made great strides in improving breast health services and reaching out to the underserved members in our local community.  We have established an annual grant funding program to award local breast health organizations for innovative breast health projects in a twenty six-county service area.  We hold two major fundraisers during the year, including the annual Komen Greater Amarillo Race for the Cureand In the Pink® luncheon.  Through these events, and other events hosted by organizations and individuals, the Affiliate has granted its 1 millionth dollar in 2010.

We have participated in countless local health fairs to provide breast health information to local residents.  We have also held “Pink Sundays” involving area churches to help raise awareness, and we have provided speakers for dozens of speaking opportunities at community and civic organizations. 

In 2005, a full-time executive director, Lisa Hoff-Davis was hired for the first time and in 2009 the staff extended with the incorporation of a mission coordinator, Brandi Ruiz.