Celebrating Black History Month and Making Strides Forward — Susan G. Komen’s Commitment to Health Equity

Black history is American history. As we celebrate Black History Month, we take the opportunity to look back on the hardships, achievements, and contributions of the African American community throughout our country. Our country’s past shapes the landscape that we are surrounded by today. It is vital to look back so that we may move forward and ultimately progress to become a nation where all are truly treated the same, regardless of the color of their skin.

While equity for the Black community has improved over time, discrimination persists in part due to biases, both implicit and intentional. These assumptions are formed through exposure to stereotypes, social conditioning, and contribute to systemic inequalities and bigotry. America’s record of labeling and prejudice against Black people has contributed to substantial health inequalities amongst community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. Breast cancer does not discriminate, and African American women face unique challenges that amplify the burden of this disease. In fact, Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and with more aggressive types of breast cancer than white women. Additionally, Black women have a lower 5-year relative breast cancer survival rate compared to white women.

These disparities in breast cancer outcomes are not only issues of health; they’re also byproducts of a larger problem of systemic injustices. Members of the Black community are still dying from breast cancer more than other populations due to the unique biology of their breast cancer, combined with inequities in health care that include reduced access to quality care, disproportionately low insurance coverage, poverty and systemic racism. A recent study showed that only 5.7% of physicians were Black individuals, though they constitute nearly 14% of the U.S. population, and diversity in the health care workforce is proven to increase access to health care for communities of color. Racial, ethnic and social injustices create barriers to affordable, life-saving health care, cultural responsiveness in the health care community and so much more.

Ultimately, representation and access to care are amongst the most life-saving measures one can rely on and Susan G. Komen is tackling these disparities head on. To gain a better understanding of the existing barriers that drive these inequities, Komen worked directly with the Black community to launch a multiyear analysis of 10 metropolitan areas that experience the largest gaps in mortality between Black and white women. In 2021, Komen published the results of this analysis in Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America. This series of reports found Black women are often ignored by their health care providers and face significant barriers to receiving the care they need due to a legacy of systemic racism, implicit bias and below-standard care.

In response, Komen launched Stand for H.E.R. – a Health Equity Revolution, a program based on this analysis to remove the barriers to high-quality breast health care Black women across the U.S. need. Komen’s comprehensive approach through Stand for H.E.R. includes five key health equity drivers to create change:

Education that equips specific groups and communities with knowledge about breast health
Patient support that ensures connections to timely, high-quality care
Workforce development that improves diversity and cultural sensitivity of health care workers
Public policy and advocacy that promote health equity
Research that is representative and benefits all

By leveraging this approach through Stand for H.E.R., Komen is committed to collaborating with Black communities, policymakers, researchers and other key allies to help create a world without inequities, where Black people have the same chances of surviving breast cancer as anyone else. The funds you raise at the Komen 3-Day help make this possible.

As we commemorate Black History Month, let us not only celebrate achievements but also acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by many, particularly in the realm of healthcare. The fight against breast cancer demands a collective effort to eliminate disparities and promote equal access to resources. Susan G. Komen’s commitment to education, outreach, and cultural sensitivity serves as a beacon of hope in the quest for a future where every individual, regardless of their background, can face breast cancer with the support and resources they deserve. Together, let us bridge the gap and make breast cancer a thing of the past ? for everyone.

For more information about Komen’s commitment to achieving health equity, visit our Health Equity homepage, and discover how to become a Policy Advocate, an Advocate in Science, or register for Navigation Nation. To learn more about the support available, visit the Patient Care Center, explore our Financial Assistance Program, or contact our Breast Care Helpline.

Meet Team Princess Warriors from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day

African American women in the U.S. are often diagnosed younger and with more aggressive breast cancer than their white counterparts. They are also often diagnosed at later stages when treatments are limited, costly and the prognosis is poor. And they die from breast cancer nearly 40% more than Caucasian women. These facts are staggering, and Susan G. Komen is working daily to reduce disparities to achieve breast health equity.

We are not doing this work alone. We are supported by 3-Dayers like those on Team Princess Warriors from Dallas/ Fort Worth. Sylvia, Yolanda and Felecia have collectively walked in the 3-Day for more than twenty years combined, participating in 3-Days across the country. They are best known in Dallas/Fort Worth and will also be joining us in Chicago this year, but their dedication extends far beyond the bounds of the 3-Day weekend.

They are breast cancer health advocates all year long. They take any opportunity they can to “educate women, especially women of color, and make them aware of how this disease affects African American women.” We are honored to have them in our 3-Day family and are so proud to share their story. Read on for more of their expertise and inspirational stories.

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What keeps you coming back to the 3-Day again and again?

Sylvia’s mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at 46 years old. Unfortunately, she passed away from the horrible disease at only 48 years old. Her paternal great grandmother, paternal grandmother, and three of her dad’s sisters have all been diagnosed with breast cancer as well. That’s not to mention that three of her husband’s aunts, two of his cousins and their sister-in-law are also breast cancer survivors.

Yolanda and Felecia both have friends who have been diagnosed and are currently fighting this disease as well as loved ones who have succumbed to breast cancer.

What are some of your top 3-Day memories from past years?

Our favorite memory was standing in line to take pictures after Day 1 during our second year. We were standing behind John and Lisa Shiner. I immediately recognized him because he was one of the inspirational speakers at camp during Sylvia’s first year walking. His wife and my mom who passed from breast cancer were both named Martha. We laughed and cried and hugged and cried some more. His wife Lisa is such a sweetheart.

After talking with them, they invited us to walk with them the next year in Twin Cities, so we did! We walked together all three days and they invited us over to their beautiful home for dinner. This was just the beginning of our friendship, and we have made so many more like it over the years.

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What are your top training tips for first-time walkers?

Make sure you invest in good socks and shoes.
Make sure you wear all clothing before the event to see how everything works for you.
Remember, this is a walk not a race.
Take time to enjoy the scenery and the wonderful people around you each day on the 3-Day. Listen to their stories, learn more about them, and enjoy each and every minute with your new group of forever friends.
Train, train, and TRAIN before the 3-Day.
Hydrate and take advantage of the pit stops and lunch.

As a tight team unit, what is your advice to help pass the time on training walks?

We talk about times in the Army. It’s bittersweet reminiscing about friends who have gone on before us and we always talk about the effort to get rid of this disease that impacts so many across all walks of life.

We all love music in general. If we had to pick a favorite song, it would be “Roar” by Katy Perry. The lyrics are suited for any fight you may be going through. Those diagnosed and fighting breast cancer, along with their family and friends, truly get knocked down sometimes, but dust themselves off and keep fighting. It shows the strength and willpower of those going through this journey and those left carrying the torch for family and friends we’ve lost to this disease.

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What does the word “commitment” mean to you?

Commitment is something that we have lived our entire adult lives honoring. We all made commitments collectively, over a combined 78 years, supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States by serving actively in the US Army. It’s definitely something we do not take lightly.

We have also made a commitment because of our drive and compassion for those who have been affected and are battling breast cancer. As a team, we dedicate our time and resources to a part of something so much greater than ourselves. Although we try to touch many with our cause, even if we only touch a few, it’s worth it.

Especially given how breast cancer impacts the African American community, why is the 3-Day so important?

Understanding that African American women die from breast cancer nearly 40% more than Caucasian women is alarming. Early detection is key. The 3-Day is SO important to us because it gives us another opportunity to educate women, especially women of color, and make them aware of how this disease affects African American women. Speaking from experience, it’s both unfortunate and also a kind of blessing that you’re made aware of this disease when someone you love has been diagnosed. But often it’s too late to fight it.

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We try to do our part and continue to make others aware that breast care is truly important to their health. We are often stopped during the walks and asked, “Why so much pink?” We love it. It gives us another chance to provide information to someone who may be uninformed.

How do you live the 3-Day spirit and spread the word all year long?

We are truly walking billboards for breast cancer awareness. We are not only sporting our pink gear during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but all throughout the year. We always reach out to those we encounter, making them aware of our 60-mile journey to save lives. Sylvia hosts events at her home throughout the year and works with the local school to ensure information is provided to the staff during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Walking 60 miles is an accomplishment; we try to use every opportunity to not only fundraise but educate those we meet daily.

What are you most excited about for 2020?

We are always excited about the opportunity to walk 60 miles in 3 days together. It gives our team another chance to spread breast cancer awareness and spend quality time together. We are excited about being in the city of Chicago this year as well! This is always a great opportunity to meet new people, be a part of their trials and triumphs, and provide words of encouragement to those who have gone through this ordeal or for loved ones currently going through it.

Join Team Princess Warriors at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day by registering to join us in 2020 NOW! You can also find more information on how breast cancer affects the African American community, and what Susan G. Komen is doing to help, on our website.

Black History Month Highlight: Margie W., Atlanta 3-Day Walker

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Meet “Miss Pink” – Margie W., who represents the 3-Day all year long; not just in her pink wardrobe, but in her sparkling enthusiasm. She has participated in fourteen 3-Day events since 2005, raised more than $32,000 (not including all the donations she has made to teammates over the years), and promotes the 3-Day spirit in every step of her life, not just those she takes on her yearly 60-mile journey.

Margie told us her story, her goal, and why it’s so important for the African American community to participate in the 3-Day. As we celebrate Black History Month, we also celebrate Margie and her vital message.

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Because she lost her favorite cousin to breast cancer, and because her sister is now a more than twenty-year survivor of the disease, Margie encourages everyone she knows to be on the lookout for early signs of breast cancer, to get their mammograms, and work to make every difference that they can.

“As an African American woman, it is so important to me to walk.”

And walk she does! When the 3-Day came to Atlanta in 2005, Margie says she was “over the rainbow” about making that sixty-mile journey. She has walked in other breast cancer walks, and has walked the 3-Day in other cities, but she keeps coming back to the 3-Day.

“When I started, I told myself I was only going to walk three years and I was going to be out of there. But I became addicted! I keep telling my donors it’s going to be my last year, but then every year, I call them again and say, “I lied. I’m walking again!”

At almost 67 years old, she has been walking through knee pain for the last few years, but is going through treatment to try and walk this year if she can. But no matter what, she will crew. And she’s already begun fundraising!

“I already have $600 in my book. I am always raising money! That way, I can be there no matter what!”

For people who need help hitting their fundraising goals, Margie has plenty of ideas, but her #1 tip is simple: Just ask.

“ASK. ASK. ASK. I keep donation letters at work, in my car, in my purse. Anytime someone tells me I look pretty in my pink, I ask them! I’m always ready. I take whatever they give me. I could be in line at the grocery store, and if someone says something about all my pink, I tell them about the 3-Day.

I also used the 3-Day app last year. I sent out no letters, but I used the app and I was amazed! My thing is, you cannot just sign up, and throw fundraising on the back burner. You have not because you ask not. Ask!”

Her team, Tutu’s for Tatas, has also used fashion shows and a “Breast Cancer Mustang” event to help raise money. They were one of the first teams in 3-Day history to hit the million-dollar mark, and that’s thanks to dedicated fundraisers like Margie.

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She always donates to her teammates and fellow walkers who are struggling to meet their goals, and accepts any donation, no matter how small. That includes donations that are less than a dollar!

“The smallest donation I ever had was 37 cents. I was on a 12-mile training walk, and I stopped to use the bathroom. A little girl named Megan stopped and talked to me, and I told her I was walking for breast cancer. And she gave me thirty-seven cents, so I wrote a check for that thirty-seven cents and sent it in.”

To her, every cent, and every step makes a difference. Because she knows that all that work goes to helping people in need.

“It’s about seeing the symptoms, getting your mammograms. [..] There is a lot of help here! There are so many charities and help. That’s why people like me walk so hard and work and fundraise!”

She says that, “by the grace of god, I’m not a survivor, but I am a supporter” and she wants to support Komen’s Bold Goal as long as she can.

So, if you see her in Atlanta this year, give Miss Pink a big hug, and thank her for all her hard work.