Today we’d like to introduce you to Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker
Hi Ambassador Nancy G., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story began with my sister, Susan G. Komen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at a time when there was little awareness or hope for survival. Before she passed away, I made two promises to her. The first was that I would do everything in my power to end the stigma and ignorance around breast cancer. Second, that all women would have access to the resources needed to fight women’s cancers.
The first promise led to the creation of the Susan G. Komen Foundation in 1982, which has since become a global leader in the fight against breast cancer, investing nearly $3 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, and advocacy. My work also led to an ambassadorship, representing the United States in Hungary in the days after September 11, 2001. In recognition of these efforts, I was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
But my journey didn’t stop there. In 2018, I came across a study that my home state of Florida ranked last in the nation for its share of nonelderly women with health insurance. After doing more research I found that my own county, Palm Beach County, had some of the worst health disparities for women, especially women with cancer. To honor the second promise that I made to my sister, together with Laurie Silvers and Julie Fisher-Cummings, I co-founded Promise Fund. We’re working to address the gaps in care for women facing breast and cervical cancer, ensuring access to quality, affordable screening and treatment, especially for underserved populations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout my career, one of the biggest challenges has been raising awareness and educating people about the importance of early detection and equitable access to healthcare. This challenge remains today. With Promise Fund, we are fighting not only for awareness but also to break down systemic barriers in healthcare, particularly for women who lack access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Funding is a perennial challenge. As much as we raise, the need always seems to exceed the resources available. Another significant obstacle has been addressing disparities in healthcare access — many women live in areas where medical facilities are scarce, or they face financial barriers that prevent them from seeking timely care. This is particularly true in marginalized communities, where issues of trust and cultural sensitivities must also be addressed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Promise Fund, we are focused on providing access to life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostics, and treatment to women who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise underserved. Our team works to build partnerships with community health centers, hospitals, and philanthropic organizations to establish a comprehensive system of care. We navigate patients through the often confusing and intimidating healthcare system, making sure they receive the support they need at every stage of their journey. We also focus on health education, advocating for better policies and working to address healthcare disparities, especially in minority and low-income communities. To date, Promise Fund has reached 40,335 individuals through outreach and education and has helped the lives of 10,114 women through access to screenings, diagnostics and care.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The future is promising, but there is still much work to do. I believe we are at a turning point where access to quality healthcare, regardless of one’s income or background, is being recognized as a fundamental right. Promise Fund is committed to leading that change by continuing to expand our network, raise awareness, and advocate for policies that improve access to care.
As medical technologies advance, early detection and treatment are becoming more effective, and we are hopeful that these breakthroughs will become accessible to everyone. My outlook is one of optimism — that with continued efforts, collaboration, and advocacy, we can make cancer care more equitable and bring an end to needless suffering for all women.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepromisefund.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepromisefund
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/promisefund
Image Credits
Photos Courtesy of Promise Fund
