After witnessing her sister Susan G. Komen’s battle with cancer, Nancy G. Brinker promised her that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, Brinker’s promise came to fruition with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the launch of the global breast cancer movement. Through events like the Komen Race for the Cure, her organization has invested almost $2 billion to fulfill its promise, working to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world through ground-breaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 50 countries. Time magazine named Brinker to its 2008 list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Calling her "a catalyst to ease suffering in the world," President Barack Obama honored Brinker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2009.