Episode 36: Nancy G. Brinker

Peoria native Nancy G. Brinker is the Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization she founded after losing her sister Susan to breast cancer. Nancy's career as a fundraiser began early in her childhood when she and Susan put on a neighborhood variety show that raised $50.14 to help those with Polio. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has given grants of $1.5 billion and has funded more breast cancer research than any organization other than the United States government.

In addition to her work with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Nancy has also served her country as an Ambassador to Hungary and as the Chief of Protocol of the United States. Among her countless awards and honors, Nancy was recently awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Nancy continues to seek opportunity for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to influence policy and produce positive results. The Harris Interactive 2010 EquiTrend poll named Susan G. Komen for the Cure as one of the nation's most trusted nonprofit organizations. Nancy is proud of the work the organization has done to eradicate cultural barriers - it was only a generation ago that it would have been rare to hear the words "breast cancer" on television or see them printed in a newspaper.