I am one of the lucky ones who had treatment for my type of cancer available at the right time, and it helped save my life. 

In early 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER breast cancer, an invasive and aggressive form of the disease. Over the next several years I had chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, target therapy, and finally hormone therapy, which I am still on for another 2 years. 

HER2 breast cancers contain a protein in higher than normal levels on the surface of breast cancer cells. About 10-20% of newly diagnosed breast cancers are HER2 , and when a tumor has too many HER2 proteins, it encourages the cancer cells to grow and divide more quickly, making the cancer more aggressive. However, thanks to many years of medical research advancements, HER2 breast cancers are highly treatable with targeted therapies that block the HER2 protein and slow or prevent its effects (yay!).

To date, Susan G. Komen has invested nearly $3.6 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 60 countries. Over the past 30 years, 29 new breast cancer-fighting drugs were made possible in part due to Komen research funding. FDA approval for adjuvant use was given in 2006, significantly improving survival rates for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. This directly affected my survival. 

Thank you for your support and donations to get us where we are today!  There's still a long way to go.  Cancer rates are rising, funding is at risk, and our donations can help us win this fight!