Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker

Wednesday, October 13

10:15 a.m.

Few words in the English language evoke more personal fear than “you have cancer.”  Our closing conference keynote moved beyond the fear that these words brought on after her sister’s breast cancer diagnosis to change the way the world views the fight against this deadly disease.

Ms. Brinker’s journey began with a simple promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything possible to end the shame, pain, fear and hopelessness that breast cancer caused.  Within one generation, the organization that bears her sister’s name has changed the world and the lives of millions.

When the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® was formed in 1982, newspapers and the public were reluctant to print and talk about the words “breast cancer.”  No one talked openly about the disease, there were no support groups or information sources.  There were also few treatment options for those diagnosed with the disease.  Brinker and her non-profit organization have successfully broken the silence around this cancer and has inspired other groups to form to focus on other forms of this deadly disease.

Ms. Brinker’s creativity in raising awareness of breast cancer has led to programs that were at once revolutionary and that are now commonplace.  The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® for example is the world’s larges and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer.  She also pioneered cause-related marketing allowing millions to participate in the fight against breast cancer through businesses that share the commitment to fight and overcome this disease forever. 

In 2009, President Barack Obama honored Ambassador Brinker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor for her work in eradicating breast cancer. 

Please join us on Wednesday, October 13th at 10:15am to hear how one personal hero can make a lasting impact on our world through their focused and relentless pursuit of a dream.

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