Susan G Komen SWOT 1

SWOT Analysis for Susan G Komen for the Cure

Lexi Sauder

Public Relations Writing, Section 02

Professor Johnson

February 6, 2017
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Susan G Komen for the Cure SWOT Analysis

Strengths

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization uses money from donors and supporters

to funding lifesaving research in all areas of breast cancer, from basic biology to

prevention to treatment and to survivorship (Charitable Contributions- Your Dollars at

Work). This is a strength because this money is going toward a good cause, and the

people helping this organization know what their money is going toward.
Due to the Susan G. Komen organization, in the last 20 years, breast cancer death rates

have declined 34 percent. With [donators] help, [theyve] been able to accelerate

advances and fund research across the globe (How Our Breast Cancer Research is

Making a Difference). This is a strength because the organization continues its reputation

of making a difference and continues to grow as it makes more and more of an impact.
Susan G. Komen was founded in 1982; therefore it has 34 years of experience and has

funded more than $800 million in research and provided more than $1.6 billion in

funding to screening, education, treatment and psychological support programs serving

millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide (Susan G. Komen National

History). This is a strength because Susan G. Komen knows what works for their

organization in order to be successful.

In more than 18,000 communities across the U.S., more than 75,000 Komen volunteers

and staff work to help fund breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs

for those who need it most (In the Community). This is a strength because this

organization has the support of thousands of women.

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Working in concert with our Affiliates and local organizations, we awarded more than

$57 million in needs-based community grants in FY14 (In the Community). This is a

strength because donors know where their money is going and continue to fund this

organization.

Weaknesses

Despite having a great overall reputation, there has been talk that starting several years

ago, Komen transformed into a political entity, succumbing to anti-choice group demands

and other unkind acts, betraying the very essence of its proclaimed charitable mission

(Susan G Komen- A Bad Charity Long Before Their Planned Parenthood PR Nightmare,

2013). This is a weakness because it could potentially damage to Susan G. Komen brand.
Anti-choice groups in America have repeatedly threatened the Susan G. Komen for the

Cure Foundation for partnering with Planned Parenthood to provide these lifesaving

cancer screenings (Parenthood, P., 2014). This is a weakness because the organization

succumbed to these pressures which saddened a completely different audience.

Susan G. Komen has defunded Planned Parenthood. This is a recent crisis that sparked all

sorts of thoughts toward the organization which is a huge weakness.

Susan G. Komen contradicted its stated values and missions after they cut off financial

support for Planned Parenthood. Anti-abortion groups felt targeted and came after the

organization. This is a weakness because these anti-abortion groups were one of Susan G

Komens target audiences.

Susan G. Komen recently partnered with KFC and people backlashed because it

promoted unhealthy food to raise money for good health (Business Ethics). This is a

weakness because the relationship between Susan G. Komen and its audience is very

important and their opinion can make or break the organization.

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Opportunities

Without the efforts of our amazing volunteers, we wouldnt be able to accomplish even a

fraction of what we do today (Volunteering Opportunities) This means that Susan G

Komen is constantly accepting any volunteers they can get to achieve their goals.
Susan G. Komen will visit Tanzania next week to continue implementing breast cancer

programs in the sub-saharan African country (Susan G. Komen Expands Breast Cancer

Programs in Tanzania). This means that Susan G. Komen has an opportunity to expand

and make a difference worldwide.

In three decades, [Susan G. Komen] has grown from a promise between two sisters to

become the worlds largest breast cancer organization, making significant contributions in

a global fight against a terrible disease (30 Years of Making a Difference) This means

that Susan G Komen has the opportunity to continue growing and receiving donations in

order for the organization to improve.

Susan G. Komen is known as a brand that targets only middle aged women. I think this

could be an opportunity because the younger generation needs to be exposed to the threat

of breast cancer and what can be done to prevent it. Susan G. Komen can work with

organizations thats sole base is young people or think of extra marketing strategies and

platforms that can be used to reach young people.

I think Susan G. Komen partnering YoungSurvival Coalition would be a good

opportunity to get younger people involved with breast cancer awareness. It is dedicated

to the issues that young women with breast cancer face and YSC offers resources,

connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful (Facing

breast cancer in women).

Threats
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As Susan G. Komen grows, so do the skeptical people. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is

a multimillion-dollar company with assets totaling over $390 million. Only 20.9% of

these funds were reportedly used in the 2009-2010 fiscal year for research (Michele, E,

2012). This is a threat because people might be more hesitant to donate to this

organization when hearing these kinds of things.

There are multiple breast cancer awareness organizations similar to Susan G. Komen.

The NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.) continues to grow every year to

help more and more women around the world by educating them about breast cancer and

providing free mammograms to women in need (About NBCF:: The National Breast

Cancer Foundation). This poses a threat because Susan G Komen constantly has

competition with what they do.

There has been stories and rumors about Susan G. Komen stating that the Susan G.

Komen Foundation uses less than a dime of each dollar to actually look for a breast

cancer cure, as promised (Komen Foundations Race is for Money, Not the Cure). This

is a threat because no one wants to be unsure about what their money is going towards

and that could make for a bad reputation.

There are rumors about Susan G. Komen that they sponsor products that contain cancer-

causing chemicals. Although it is good to partner up with organizations in order to get

your organization out there, it can also be a threat because people dont want to be

supporting cancer which is what they would be doing in the long run.
Susan G. Komen reportedly owns stock in several pharmaceutical companies. It is

rumored that they support AstraZeneca, the maker of tamoxifen, a cancer drug that is

actually classified as a human carcinogen by both the World Health Organization and the

American Cancer Society (Komen Foundations Race is for Money, Not the Cure). This
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is obviously a threat because there is proof that this organization knows about what this

company makes, making themselves untrustworthy.

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Bibliography

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