Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Komen Volunteers Boost Breast Cancer Awareness

In 1992, Terri Desio began the process of starting a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation chapter in Arkansas. About the same time, Pat Torvestad and Pat McClelland were trying to start a local “Race for the Cure.”

The three joined forces, and the result is an almost completely volunteer foundation – it lists one part-time employee – for breast cancer awareness in Arkansas. In 1998, the Arkansas Komen Foundation, with its 750 volunteers, was named Affiliate of the Year.

As for the race, it’s grown into one of the biggest of its kind in the nation. In 1994, the first race drew 2,100 participants. Last year, more than 17,000 signed up, raising more than a half-million dollars.

“We are the only organization in Arkansas solely devoted to the eradication of breast cancer,” says Leila Alston of the Arkansas chapter. “Our focus is breast cancer, but our impact is much greater.”

The foundation was instrumental in pushing the state Legislature for the passage of the Breast Cancer Act of 1997, providing $4 million a year to fighting the disease. Of that, $800,000 annually stays in state for research, while the remaining $3.2 million is designated for awareness, education, outreach, screening and treatment.

Goals of the Arkansas chapter include increasing breast cancer awareness by 25 percent, promoting the Operation Pink Ribbon Program in the state and increasing the number of women in Arkansas who receive annual clinical breast exams and mammograms.

“One out of eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime,” Alston says. “We are a leader in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis because of monies and volunteers provided by our organization.”