I founded the Susan G. Komen organization and helped launch the global breast cancer movement, turning personal loss into a worldwide force for awareness, research, and hope. We created Race for the Cure, the world’s largest 5K run/walk series, igniting a new model for grassroots fundraising that brought millions together in solidarity. With the help of passionate supporters and visionary sponsors, we invested more than $3.6 billion in research, advocacy, and patient care — fueling 29 new breast cancer treatments, guiding hundreds of thousands of patients through navigation and support services and breaking down tens of thousands of barriers to care. This work helped drive down breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by 44% and brought lifesaving care to millions of women across more than 60 countries. We also helped establish October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now recognized around the world as a call to action.

In the earliest days of our events, back in 1983, we used pink ribbons as a sign of solidarity. I never imagined they’d become a universal symbol — but I’m humbled that through this work, the world came to know the pink ribbon as a sign of strength, remembrance, and action.

Along the way, I served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and as Chief of Protocol, walking the halls of the West Wing and representing our nation with pride. I was honored to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 — a moment I shared with my mother Ellie, my son Eric, and the memory of my sister in my heart.

Today, I’m focused on the Promise Fund, a nonprofit working to eliminate barriers to breast and cervical cancer care for women in need. It’s the next chapter of my promise to Suzy — and I’m just getting started.