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A Sister's Promise: The Susan G. Komen Foundation

MIAMI (CBS4) - Thousands of South Floridians will paint Miami with pink on Saturday, October 15th as they participate in the 16th annual Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale Race for the Cure.

The race has brought a global awareness to breast cancer, but not too many people are familiar with the name that started the famous walk.

Nancy Brinker is the mastermind behind the global movement to end breast cancer, and  it all started with a promise made from one sister to another.

"She asked me to make sure that I would do whatever I could to make sure that people don't die from this disease.  And I promised her I would," said Brinker.

The Susan G. Komen For the Cure started in 1982, shortly after Susan G. Komen lost her battle to breast cancer.

Since then, the non-profit organization has raised over $1 billion dollars in their efforts.

Nancy is proud that they are the largest private funder of breast cancer research, but knows that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

"I see what remains to be done.  What we need to do.  What do we need to do?We need to get a lot further down the road with what's causing this disease and how to prevent it," explained Brinker.

Nancy's fight continued for the millions of women that depend on her foundation, even when she began her own personal battle with the disease.

It was shortly after the Susan G. Komen foundation was established when Nancy detected a lump in her breast which turned out to be cancerous.

"It was another message that we have to live our lives with a sense of urgency and I'm no exception. I want to live long enough to see real gains of all the work we've funded."

You can join CBS4 and other breast cancer survivors on Saturday, October 15th at the Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k walk.  The race will begin at 8:30 a.m.

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