By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
Everywhere she goes, it seems, Nancy Brinker, the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, inspires everyone she meets. From those who've never even been touched by breast cancer to those who've survived it.
Survivor, Patti Strong, says, "She is inspiring and she pulls you into her own movement and what she's doing. As a fighter and survivor, I absolutely want to get my voice out for others."
A voice for others who are near and dear to us and others who live half a world away. That was the mission of Brinker. You see, Susan G. Komen, Nancy's sister was just 33 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Nancy recalls the many hours she stood by her sister's side, in a place neither one of them wanted to be.
Nancy explains, "Thousands of people swarmed that clinic, sitting on the floor waiting to be seen. Many people, vulnerable populations, people with no health insurance, no care, and Suzy looked at me and she said, 'You know, where you live and how much money you have shouldn't determine whether you live.'"
And that became a big part of Nancy's mission in putting an end to breast cancer. To help those less fortunate, in parts of the world that are oftentimes forgotten, and work to show it's going to take teamwork to win the global fight.
Nancy says, "We want to make sure that we have an opportunity to work across other people's platforms. We have an amazing program in Africa called 'Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon,' where we're working with the AIDS community to treat cervical and breast cancer."
Because after all, cancer knows no race, and it certainly knows no boundaries.
If you'd like more information about Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon, and what you can do to continue Brinker's mission, head to: http://www.pinkandredribbon.com/
