Susan G. Komen for the Cure began when Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure says it is the world’s largest grass-roots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. The organization says it has invested more than $1.5 billion to fight against breast cancer in the world. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Oregon and Southwest Washington affiliate was founded in 1991.
They are 30 and 61 years old, these two Vancouver women. Each is on a mission to touch lives. On Sunday, they joined some 40,000 others on a walk to help eradicate breast cancer.
Michelle Ahmed, 30, works each day to help women get early detection.
Barbara Pasmore, 61, works tirelessly to raise money for Komen for the Cure, which staged the huge walk in downtown Portland on Sunday. The event raised an estimated $2 million; fundraising in Oregon and Southwest Washington continues through October.
Barbara Pasmore
The 61-year-old tennis buff is a virtual one-woman money machine for Komen. Three years ago, she was honored with Komen’s lifetime achievement in fundraising award. Her total since 1994 was at nearly $83,000 before Sunday’s walk, and she expects to raise more than $5,000 this year.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure began when Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure says it is the world's largest grass-roots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. The organization says it has invested more than $1.5 billion to fight against breast cancer in the world. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Oregon and Southwest Washington affiliate was founded in 1991.
“I walk the walk every day,” she said.
Pasmore has survived two bouts with breast cancer, those battles coming in 1991 and 1992.
“When I first had cancer, cancer wasn’t talked about much,” she said Sunday. Then she learned about Komen.
She said her fundraising has “become a mission. … It isn’t just about breast cancer, it’s about touching people’s lives.”
How does she raise all that money?
“I talk to people. I have a lot of loyal supporters. I say 75 percent of what we raise stays in our community, which is very important to me.,” she said.
“What I try to tell our givers is the money stays here. I have a great support group of friends.”
And she supports those with breast cancer.
“I tell them it’s OK, you can get through it. There’s people here for you,” she said.
Through it all, she’s learned, “Every day is a gift.”
Michelle Ahmed
The 30-year mother of two is a care coordinator for Sea Mar Community Health Center. She helps patients coordinate their care.
“I talk to several women a day,” Ahmed said Sunday afternoon after walking 5 kilometers with her team of nine women and two men. They raised $1,100.
Sea Mar is one of the organizations that Pasmore referenced in helping local women.
Komen has provided a $29,000 grant for Sea Mar’s “Well Women — Breast Cancer Screening Initiative.” The goal is to increase the rate of breast cancer screenings among Hispanic/Latina and low-income women at two Sea Mar medical clinics n Clark County. The grant is expected to reach 3,000 people.
Of her job, Ahmed said, “I like the patient interaction and I also like the part of my job that is outreach.”
Her husband, Nash, stayed home with the couple’s two daughters, Sabrina, 3, and Salma, 6 months, so Ahmed could be a part of the Sea Mar team on Sunday.
“There’s over 40,000 people down there (on the walk),” she said. “It is pretty emotional.
“It’s emotional because you see survivors walking, people walking in honor of survivors, and also people walking in memory of women who have died of breast cancer.”
She said she believes in the work Komen is doing.
“The proceeds from the Race for the Cure go to fund programs like Sea Mar. Early breast cancer detection is the best way to prevent deaths from breast cancer,” Ahmed said.
“It feels good to be part of something that is so big and saves lives.”
