Home » Voices » Honoring the Memory of a Woman Who Opened the Dialogue On Breast Cancer

Honoring the Memory of a Woman Who Opened the Dialogue On Breast Cancer

Former First Lady, Betty Ford, has left a legacy in our breast cancer movement, opening the door for millions of women when she candidly acknowledged her breast cancer diagnosis. 

Upon the death of former First Lady of the United States, Betty Ford, on July 8, 2011, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Founder & CEO, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, shared the following sentiments with all those united in the fight to end breast cancer forever.

On behalf of the entire Susan G. Komen for the Cure family, we mourn the passing of Betty Ford, widow of President Gerald Ford. Betty Ford opened the door for millions of women when she candidly acknowledged her breast cancer diagnosis at a time when we didn't talk about this disease and untold numbers of women suffered in silence. She showed the world that breast cancer could be faced with courage, with humor and with great dignity. Like so many, I relied on her advice and wisdom, and I will be forever grateful that she gave life, hope and voice to this movement and to generations of women to come. She was a mentor, a friend and a woman whose example we all strive to follow.
 
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978, Mrs. Ford was widely praised for publicly acknowledging her diagnosis and was an early supporter of Komen for the Cure's work to raise awareness about breast cancer.

- Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker

Founder & CEO

Susan G. Komen for the Cure