Yankton, SD –July 19, 2007 – The South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced that Virginia Wishard Lambert, Parker, South Dakota, will be the Affiliate Coordinator for their organization. 

“The affiliate is growing in the state and we desire to take it to a higher level,” said Connie J Wagner, Komen South Dakota Affiliate President. “We have identified specific, unmet breast health needs within our state and Virginia will be instrumental in delivering the life-saving message of early detection.  She will represent the affiliate, facilitate its growth and help to achieve our dream of a world without breast cancer.” 

Virginia Wishard Lambert has extensive background in the non-profit arena in marketing, development and management.  She also worked as Special Assistant to the late S.D. Governor George S. Mickelson.  Lambert has a special interest in breast cancer, “Having had friends affected by breast cancer, I know first hand the impact this disease has on families and our entire state.” 

The Komen Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. With survivors and activists in 125 cities and communities, more than 100 Komen Race for the Cure® events in the United States and three International Affiliates, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the most progressive grassroots organization fighting breast cancer today.

Thanks to more than 100,000 survivors and activists dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, the Komen Affiliate Network is the nation's largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs.

Up to 75 percent of the net income from each Komen domestic Affiliate is dedicated to fighting breast cancer in that Affiliate's community. Every year, Komen Affiliates award grants to local hospitals and community organizations that provide breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs for medically underserved women. Remaining net income (a minimum of 25 percent) supports the Komen Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer prevention, visit the South Dakota Komen’s Web site, www.komensouthdakota.com or call 605-660-0533.