Who We Are

Organization Overview

The Tri-Cities Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® was established in 2005. Work to establish a Komen Affiliate to address the breast health gaps in our region actually began in 2002 when two major hospital systems (Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance), along with a group of community volunteers, identified the need and began looking for a solution.  Work began immediately to prepare the Community Profile to identify the critical gaps. (See Grants/Community Profile at www.komentricities.org).   The two hospital systems, along with the region's largest employer (Eastman Chemical Company) took the lead role as founders with both in-kind and financial support.

In October, 2005, the Tri-Cities Affiliate was officially formed, with a working Board of Directors with 15 members. 

Each year, through these efforts and the generous support of our corporate, individual, and foundation donors, third party event fundraising, hundreds of volunteers, survivors, activists and the Annual Tri-Cities Susan G. Komen Race for Cure® event, our Affiliate is able to raise funds to provide grants to hospitals, health organizations and non-profit community organizations.  These organizations are our partners in providing provide breast health education & breast cancer screening and treatment options for medically under-served women throughout our  service area.(For a map of our geographic area please click here).

Komen Tri-Cities' Board of Directors includes a diverse and strong representation of the major regional health organizations, private companies, businesses, survivors, activists,volunteers and oncology health professionals in the region.

The affiliate is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in a 22 county service area in Southwestern Virginia, Northeastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina.  Nine of the 22 counties we serve are located in Southwest Virginia, 6 in Northeastern Tennessee and 5 in Western North Carolina, thus making us a  truly regional organization.

The Tri-Cities Affiliate is one of 125 Affiliates, established by the Susan G.Komen for the Cure organization, Dallas, TX.  Komen for the Cure began in 1982 when Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.  That promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.

Goals and Accomplishments

The Affiliate's goal is to provide education, mammograms, early detection and treatment options through our grantees to women who are under-served or under-insured in our service region. By providing mammograms to those who would not otherwise be able to afford them, we are saving lives through early detection. See Grants for detailed listing of grantees, programs and funding provided to date.Since it was established in 2005, Komen Tri-Cities has invested over $940,000 in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects through our Grants program in NE TN, SW VA and Western NC.Up to 75 percent of net proceeds raised by the Komen Tri-Cities Affiliate stays in the 22 counties the Affiliate supports, while the remaining 25% of income goes directly to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure scientific grants program supporting research, awards and educational and scientific programs around the world. Susan G. Komen is the largest source of private funds awarded to researchers to develop new drugs and treatment options. Financial Strength and Stewardship
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been named the top-rated charity by Charity Navigator; America's largest independent evaluator of charities. Charity Navigator's award of four out of a possible four stars indicates that we excel, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing our organizational finances in an efficient and effective manner. This is an exceptional feat, especially given the economic challenges many charities have had to face in the last year.

Our office is located in a central location to allow accessibility to our constituents. We are located in the NE TN Business Park, 10368 Wallace Alley, Suite 197, Blountville, TN 37663 close to the Tri-Cities Airport making it a convenient location.   If you wish to stop by, please call 423-354-0111 to be sure a staff member will  be there.