THE SUSAN CONFUSION

“If you look closer at the endless sea of pink, you’ll see one charity repeated more than all the rest: Susan G. Komen. The organization is nearly ubiquitous, and that name recognition might make you think of them if you want to support breast cancer research. But take a moment before you hand over your money in a virtue-fueled shopping spree, and ask where your cash is actually going. Susan G. Komen, of all the laudable organizations out there, is not the most shining example of charitable work. It isn’t even the most reputable breast cancer charity with ‘Susan’ in its name.” – Popular Science.

I have been a donor to both Susan G. Komen and Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research for many years, but it wasn’t until I joined Dr. Love and her team that I realized that many people erroneously use the names interchangeably. At the Foundation, we refer to this phenomenon as “The Susan Confusion.” In reality, these two leading breast cancer organizations couldn’t be more different. Susan G. Komen was named in memory of the philanthropist founder’s sister. While the organization mixes education and community involvement, unlike Dr. Susan Love Foundation, Komen funds third party breast cancer research but does not design or facilitate their own research initiatives. In contrast, Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research was named for the world’s preeminent breast cancer surgeon and author of, as The New York Times referred to it, “the Bible for women with breast cancer,” Susan Love MD, MBA. And under Love’s executive leadership, Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research has pioneered some of the world’s more innovative research. From spearheading a partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to mapping the breast ductal system, to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to develop a handheld, self-reading ultrasound for breast cancer screening in underserved populations, Dr. Love has dedicated her career to ending breast cancer.

This Giving Tuesday, give with confidence to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, named this year as the Four-Star, Leading Breast Cancer Research Organization in the Nation by Charity Navigator.