Susan G.Komen for the Cure has Affiliates in 125 cities and communities in the US and worldwide. Not knowing the history of other Affiliates, I plan to question my colleagues at other Affiliates and learn about their stories. It's a given that whomever undertakes the ambitious endeavor of forming an Affiliate is a breast cancer advocate.
Our story began with Carolyn Jorgensen, a breast cancer survivor. She was leafing through a runner's magazine in 1998 and came across an ad for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. Carolyn with a team of volunteers organized the first Komen Central Valley Race for the Cure held in 1999. 800 people registered to participate that year. In December 1999, the Central Valley Affiliate became incorporated.
The Race grew yearly: 2719 participants in 2003/$104,000 raised to
6850 participants/$403,000 raised in 2007. Since it's inception, the Central Valley Affiliate has granted over $1 million dollars to local non-profits for education, screening and treatment programs.
Carolyn Jorgensen passed away in August, 2007 from a breast cancer recurrence. She will always be remembered for her efforts which have made a tremendous impact on the thousands of Fresno County residents. Our #1 Survivor's bib has been retired as Carolyn passed the torch to us. She leaves us with a message of courage and strength.
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