Nancy Brinker to receive Anti-Defamation League award for breast cancer efforts

Nancy Brinker to receive Anti-Defamation League award for breast cancer efforts.
By Michele Dargan, Daily News Staff Writer 

"On the eve of a week of breast-cancer awareness events in Cairo in October, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a sponsor, became aware that Israeli advocates had been denied access. The organization launched a diplomatic effort on behalf of the Israelis and helped to resolve the situation a day later, although the Israelis, ultimately, did not attend.Palm Beacher Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of the organization, had already planned to travel to Israel following the Cairo events. The result: Komen is planning its first Race for the Cure in Jerusalem this fall.

The group has funded $2 million to research and support programs in Israel since its early days. In fact, Komen's first international research grant went to an Israeli institution in 1994. Brinker founded the organization in 1982 and named it after her sister who died of breast cancer at age 36. A breast cancer survivor, Brinker promised her dying sister that she would do everything in her power to end the disease.

"Susan G. Komen for the Cure took strong diplomatic action to make sure the Israeli delegates could, indeed, be included in our event," Brinker said. "We are not a political organization. We are a humanitarian organization. We are there to cure breast cancer. That is our mission and our only mission. When we're doing it, sometimes we have to take on tough issues and this was a tough issue. We will continue to carry out our global mission irrespective of religion or native country."

The Anti-Defamation League is honoring Brinker Thursday night at the annual dinner at The Breakers with the ADL Americanism Award. She is being honored for her efforts "as the leader of the global breast cancer movement," said National ADL Director Abraham Foxman. Foxman will present Brinker with the award..."
 

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