Susan G. Komen to Host Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk to Support Breast Cancer Research and Patient Care
Susan G. Komen®, a leading breast cancer organization, is preparing to host the Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk on Sunday, October 25, 2026, bringing together breast cancer survivors, people living with metastatic breast cancer, families, caregivers and community supporters for an event focused on fundraising, awareness and action.
The Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk is designed to raise critical funding for initiatives addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of people affected by breast cancer. Funds raised through the event will support breast cancer research, patient care and navigation, education and public policy efforts intended to improve access to high-quality care.
Komen has set a fundraising goal of $600,000 for this year’s Austin event. The organization says the funds will help accelerate research into new approaches for breast cancer, expand services for patients and families, support advocacy efforts and help address barriers that can prevent people from receiving timely care.
Breast Cancer Continues to Affect Communities Across the United States
Breast cancer remains a major health concern in the United States, affecting patients and families across communities and age groups. According to the information provided by Komen, approximately every two minutes, someone in the United States receives a breast cancer diagnosis, while nearly every 12 minutes, someone in the country dies from the disease.
The organization also points to an increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women under age 50, highlighting the continuing need for research, screening, education and access to appropriate treatment.
Although advances in breast cancer detection and treatment have contributed to improved outcomes for many patients, significant challenges remain. Some individuals experience delays in diagnosis, while others face financial, geographic, logistical or systemic barriers that make it difficult to access high-quality care.
For people with aggressive or advanced forms of breast cancer, available treatments may not always provide adequate disease control. Continued research is therefore needed to identify new treatment strategies and improve outcomes across different forms of the disease.
In Texas alone, Komen estimates that 24,270 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026, while approximately 3,400 people are expected to lose their lives to the disease.
These figures underscore the importance of research and patient support initiatives, while also highlighting the role of community fundraising events such as the Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk.
$600,000 Fundraising Goal for Austin Event
Komen’s Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk will seek to raise $600,000 this year. The organization says funds generated by the event will be directed toward several areas of its breast cancer mission.
These include patient care, scientific research, education and advocacy.
Research funding is intended to support efforts to advance understanding of breast cancer and identify new approaches that could improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Patient services, meanwhile, are designed to help individuals navigate the practical challenges associated with receiving cancer care.
Education and advocacy represent additional components of Komen’s work. By providing evidence-based information and supporting policy efforts, the organization aims to help patients and communities make informed health care decisions and address barriers within the broader health care system.
The fundraising model means that participants in the Austin walk are contributing not only to a single-day event but also to programs intended to support people throughout their breast cancer experience.
Patient Navigation Addresses Barriers to Care
Komen’s patient support activities in Texas illustrate the types of services that fundraising helps sustain.
During fiscal year 2026, more than 5 million people accessed Komen’s breast health and breast cancer information, according to the organization. The information is intended to help individuals better understand breast cancer, evaluate their health care options and make informed decisions.
During the same period, Komen’s Patient Care Center provided 2,433 patient navigation services to 1,690 individuals across Texas.
Patient navigation can be particularly important for people facing challenges beyond the medical aspects of cancer treatment. Financial constraints, transportation difficulties, housing concerns, food insecurity and other practical issues can interfere with the ability to attend appointments, obtain medications or complete recommended treatment.
Komen’s navigation services are designed to help patients identify resources and address these obstacles.
The organization reported that its Financial Assistance Program provided $661,500 in direct financial assistance to 1,339 people in Texas who were undergoing breast cancer treatment or living with metastatic breast cancer.
Connecting Patients With Community Resources
Komen’s patient navigators also help connect individuals with external sources of assistance.
According to the organization, patient navigators responded to more than 9,000 financial assistance inquiries during the previous year. They also secured nearly $3 million from 230 external sources to help patients address essential needs.
The resources supported expenses and services including transportation, housing, food and medical costs.
These forms of assistance can be important because the financial impact of cancer can extend well beyond direct medical expenses. Patients may need to take time away from work, travel significant distances for treatment or manage additional household costs while undergoing therapy.
By helping patients identify available resources, navigation programs can complement medical care and potentially reduce some of the logistical barriers that contribute to treatment disruption.
Promoting Breast Honesty and Breast Health Awareness
In addition to providing direct patient services, Komen is encouraging people to participate in what it calls Breast Honesty™, an initiative focused on open conversations about breast health and personal breast cancer risk.
The organization encourages individuals to understand their personal risk factors, prioritize appropriate screening and seek accurate, evidence-based information when making health care decisions.
The approach reflects the importance of informed engagement with breast health. Understanding individual risk and discussing concerns with health care professionals can help people make decisions about screening and follow-up care based on their circumstances.
Komen’s educational efforts are intended to provide information that can help individuals take action rather than remain uncertain about questions related to breast health.
Community Participation Central to the Event
Joanna Linden, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen, Central Texas, emphasized the role of community participation in supporting people affected by breast cancer.
“Every person diagnosed with breast cancer deserves the opportunity to receive the care, support and resources they need, regardless of where they live or the barriers they face,” Linden said.
She described the Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk as an example of how community participation can contribute to research, patient support and advocacy.
“Together, we are funding lifesaving research, advocating for an equitable health care system, supporting people living with breast cancer and driving progress toward a future where no one dies from breast cancer,” Linden said.
The event is intended to bring together people with different connections to breast cancer, including survivors, individuals living with metastatic disease, families, caregivers and supporters. Their participation provides an opportunity to recognize those affected by the disease while raising funding for programs operating throughout the year.
Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk Event Details
The 2026 Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Barton Creek Square.
Event: Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location: Barton Creek Square
Fundraising goal: $600,000
Registration: www.komen.org/austinwalk
The Austin event is supported by local sponsors, including presenting sponsors Dell Technologies and Thomas J. Henry Law Firm. Local Platinum Sponsors include H-E-B, Texas Oncology and Texas Breast Specialists.
Nationally, Bank of America serves as the presenting sponsor of the MORE THAN PINK Walk and Race for the Cure events. Natera is the national premier sponsor, while Daiichi Sankyo, Guardant Health, Lilly and Novartis are national series sponsors.
Fundraising to Support Long-Term Breast Cancer Efforts
Komen says every registration, donation and other form of support connected with the Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk contributes to its broader breast cancer mission.
The organization intends to use the funds to support innovative research, provide patient services and advocate for policies and health care systems that can improve outcomes for people affected by breast cancer.
The combination of research and direct patient support reflects the continuing challenges faced by the breast cancer community. While scientific advances have changed the treatment landscape and improved outcomes for many patients, disparities in access to care and persistent unmet medical needs remain.
Events such as the Austin MORE THAN PINK Walk provide a mechanism for communities to contribute financially while also increasing awareness of the disease and the needs of patients and families.
As Austin prepares for the October 25 event, Komen is bringing together individuals affected by breast cancer and supporters from across the region around a common focus on research, patient care, education and advocacy. The organization’s $600,000 fundraising target reflects its effort to translate community participation into resources for people facing breast cancer in Texas and beyond.
About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working toward a future where no one dies from breast cancer. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information.
Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures.