2008 Woodie Awards
Susan G. Komen foundation helps save lives yearly
Diana Vilares
Issue date: 10/13/06 Section: Features
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Susan G. Komen died in 1980 at the age of 36 after enduring nine operations, extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments due to breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Komen was a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend to few, but an inspiration to those who know her story.
Lindsay Runyen, a freshman secondary education major said, "I know her name and I know that she had cancer, but I don't know anything else about her."
Unfortunately, not many have been told about Komen's fight with breast cancer and how her selflessness is helping women and men who are battling breast cancer and their families better understand the life altering illness.
Susan Goodman grew up in the small town of Peoria, Illinois where she lived with her parents and sister, Nancy. Growing up, her family and friends would call her "Suzy" and was popular and sweet and ended up marrying her college sweetheart, Stan Komen. The couple then had two children before tragedy struck her at the age of 33.
A visit to Komen's family doctor resulted in the discovery of a lump on one of her breasts that they later found out was cancer. Uneducated about the illness and its severity, Komen underwent a process suggested by a surgeon who told her that it would cure her. Susan agreed to a subcutaneous mastectomy, which consists of removing the breast tissue while leaving the outer breast untouched and then received a breast implant.
Cancer is an illness that cannot be cured, as there is always a slight chance that the cancer could come back. Although she felt fine for a few months after her surgery, Komen found another lump and found herself in an even worse position. The cancer had spread to her lungs and had the potential of spreading to other internal organs, if it hadn't already; she was now a Stage IV cancer patient.
Komen underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments and experienced their potential side effects of nausea; hair loss and mouth sores. Despite her feeling sick and weak, Susan's concern before she passed was that something be done about the frigid atmosphere of waiting rooms and the little education patients and family members have about cancer and what it means for them.
Lindsay Runyen, a freshman secondary education major said, "I know her name and I know that she had cancer, but I don't know anything else about her."
Unfortunately, not many have been told about Komen's fight with breast cancer and how her selflessness is helping women and men who are battling breast cancer and their families better understand the life altering illness.
Susan Goodman grew up in the small town of Peoria, Illinois where she lived with her parents and sister, Nancy. Growing up, her family and friends would call her "Suzy" and was popular and sweet and ended up marrying her college sweetheart, Stan Komen. The couple then had two children before tragedy struck her at the age of 33.
A visit to Komen's family doctor resulted in the discovery of a lump on one of her breasts that they later found out was cancer. Uneducated about the illness and its severity, Komen underwent a process suggested by a surgeon who told her that it would cure her. Susan agreed to a subcutaneous mastectomy, which consists of removing the breast tissue while leaving the outer breast untouched and then received a breast implant.
Cancer is an illness that cannot be cured, as there is always a slight chance that the cancer could come back. Although she felt fine for a few months after her surgery, Komen found another lump and found herself in an even worse position. The cancer had spread to her lungs and had the potential of spreading to other internal organs, if it hadn't already; she was now a Stage IV cancer patient.
Komen underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments and experienced their potential side effects of nausea; hair loss and mouth sores. Despite her feeling sick and weak, Susan's concern before she passed was that something be done about the frigid atmosphere of waiting rooms and the little education patients and family members have about cancer and what it means for them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Alisabeth
posted 9/10/07 @ 6:08 PM EST
I really enjoyed this story because I wanted to know more about Susan G. Komen herself. I wanted to know who came up with the idea of the wonderful foundation. (Continued…)
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