Advocacy & Public Policy

For more than 25 years, the women and men of Susan G. Komen for the Cure have pioneered the breast cancer movement. Now, we make up the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of survivors and activists, working together to end breast cancer forever. While we're known for our support of breast cancer research and community programs, we consider sound public policy an equally worthy goal. We work to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with decision-makers and community leaders, encouraging their active engagement in the breast cancer movement.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance, a sister organization to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, has launched a special project, I Vote for the Cure™, to educate voters and challenge the presidential candidates to make breast cancer a national priority. I Vote for the Cure™ is challenging candidates to address three achievable goals that will save lives and help end breast cancer forever: increasing investment in translational research, improving access to screening, and ensuring quality treatment for all women.

• Register to vote and help others get registered
  Be sure you are registered to vote. Volunteers will be registering voters at Expo and on Race day. To volunteer for this job, click here.
• Add your voice - Will Our Next President Help End Breast Cancer Forever?
  America's next president could save lives-but only if we ask. By taking a moment to sign the I Vote for the Cure™ petition, which outlines three critical goals in the fight to end breast cancer, you can let our next leader know that you expect him or her to make breast cancer a national priority-in their platforms and for our country.
  One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Women are dying every day, and common-sense policies could ensure every woman in America--regardless of her income--has access to life-saving early detection. Take this easy step to make sure our next president hears from as many Americans as possible: we want a plan to end breast cancer forever!
• Volunteer
  Assist with voter registration and gather signatures on petitions. Volunteers are needed at Expo and on Race day. To sign up click here.
  Increasingly, breast cancer public policy is becoming a major focus in metro Detroit. This is due largely to the 2007 Komen Breast Cancer Mortality Report, highlighting our community's higher than average breast cancer mortality rate. In response, we've taken action, and more is planned. If you'd like to join the Komen Detroit Public Policy / Advocacy Committee, please contact Joan Dennehy at 248-351-1866 or dennehyj@karmanos.org. For more information on the report, click here.
• Other ways you can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer:
  • Learn all you can about the disease
  • Spread the word about the importance of early detection by speaking to groups and individuals
  • Discuss breast cancer with your family members and friends; urge them to conduct breast self-examinations regularly and receive other screenings as appropriate depending on their individual risks
  • Participate in a clinical research study conducted to determine whether and how the disease can be prevented, or how it can be best treated
  • If you are a woman of color, please join the Circle of Promise.

Rev. 4/17/08