Press Release
Ambassador Green Leads Komen 5K Walk for the Cure
October 19, 2008
On a beautiful weekend morning, Ambassador Green and several other members of the U.S. Mission joined nearly 1000 Tanzanians to participate in the first ever Race for the Cure held on the entire African continent. The walk, organized during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was co-sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation.
Susan G. Komen is the global leader in finding a cure for breast cancer; they have invested more than $1.2 billion dollars for breast cancer research through events like the Komen for the Cure Series. There are over 120 races or walks held annually throughout the world. The Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation is the first NGO breast cancer foundation in Tanzania.
The Ambassador congratulated both sponsor organizations, the volunteers, supporters, and the women who wore pink t-shirts indicating they are survivors of breast cancer. It is estimated that 2,500 women with breast cancer register as patients in hospitals around Tanzania each year. There are many others that do not have any knowledge of breast cancer, the importance of early detection or simply do not have the resources to obtain the care they need. This 5k walk was a major effort to increase awareness of breast cancer in Tanzania.
The partnership of the Tanzania Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a great example of how American and Tanzanian organizations can work together with others, despite being oceans apart, united in the vision of a world without breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Chief of U.S. Protocol. She accompanied President Bush during his historic visit to Tanzania in February 2008.