2026 Komen Chicago Race for the Cure

On May 16, I’ll be participating in the annual Komen Chicago Race for the Cure for the 27th time! As a 38+-year cancer survivor, I've been compelled to support Komen in their mission to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Massive advances have been made since I was diagnosed as a young mom. Notably, treatment has transformed from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to highly personalized medicine, resulting in a 40% drop in mortality in the U.S. since 1989. Targeted therapies, distinct subtyping, innovative drugs, surgical and radiation advances, early detection and imaging, and genetic testing and prevention have been real game-changers, shifting breast cancer from a fatal disease to a chronic condition or even total remission for many.

Yet that stark statistic of 1 in 8 women in the U.S. developing breast cancer in their lifetime holds firm; it remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. This year, an estimated 382,640 women in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer and just over 42,000 will lose their lives to this disease. More work remains to be done!

Komen addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts to make the biggest impact of any organization against this disease, investing nearly $4.6 billion in their efforts. Komen’s focus remains on helping ALL patients in need—including those with little or no insurance who are unable to access support and care—increasingly crucial what with the ongoing and proposed changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Securing government-based funding for breast cancer research and for programs providing access to vital screening, diagnostic, and treatment services continues to be critical. Among their key legislative efforts, Komen's Center for Public Policy relentlessly advocates for sustained and increased federal funding for the National Institutes of Health and state-level research programs.

Please join me in backing Komen in their mission by making a tax-deductible donation of any size. Your thoughtful support can make a tangible difference to those who will directly benefit from your generosity, now and in the future.

Many thanks for your consideration and friendship!

—Bev