Promise Me
How one promise sparked a movement—
and changed the future of women’s health.
How the Breast Cancer Movement Began
In the 1980s, breast cancer was rarely spoken aloud.
There was stigma, silence, and almost no support. But a grieving sister’s promise helped change everything.
Promise Me traces how one voice grew into a movement—powered by women, community, and the belief that change is possible. From living rooms to the halls of Congress, this film captures the rise of the breast cancer movement and how it redefined what advocacy can do.
Because the World Needs to Know the Story
Since 1982, the movement Nancy G. Brinker ignited has helped drive down breast cancer mortality by over 40%—through more than $3.6 billion invested in research, advocacy, and patient care, and the creation of one of the most recognized symbols of health in the world: the pink ribbon.
Yet the full story behind that movement—the promise that started it all—has never been told on film.
Promise Me isn’t just about breast cancer—it’s about the power of one person, one promise, and one purpose to ignite lasting change. It’s a uniquely American story of civic action, told through the life of a woman who refused to accept silence, stigma, or the status quo.
In a time when young people are questioning whether their voice can make a difference, this film offers a powerful reminder: it can.
We need stories like this now more than ever—to preserve an essential piece of history, to inspire the next generation of changemakers, and to show that movements still begin with ordinary people who care enough to act.
Why this Film is Being Made
Transforming a Sister’s Promise into a Global Movement for Access and Survival
“Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. In the years since, Nancy has kept that promise with unwavering passion and determination—helping to turn a private pain into a global movement.”
1970s–1980s | Breaking the Silence
1990s | The Pink Ribbon Era
2000s | Research. Reach. Revolution.
2010s | Promise Recognized, Globalized
Today
The world has changed—but the work is never finished. As treatments improve, the fight is now about access—making sure every woman, in every community, can get the care she needs.
Through a new organization, the Promise Fund, based on a novel nonprofit model, Nancy Brinker continues to disrupt the status quo—combining patient navigation, local partnerships, and community outreach to break down barriers and push for lasting change in access to lifesaving care.