Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, more than $1.3 billion has been invested to fulfill the organization's promise: becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

In June of 2005, Susan G. Komen for the Cure became a full UICC member.