BOCA RATON — The South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® announced that the keynote speaker at the 5th Annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 20, in Boca Raton will be Liz Thompson, senior vice president of medical and scientific affairs for the Global Komen for the Cure organization.
Thompson is responsible for leading Komen for the Cure’s extensive health sciences team.
A known expert in the cancer health arena, Thompson joined Komen in 2008, and now serves as the SVP, Global Medical and Scientific Affairs. She has excelled in initiating, developing and managing programs to drive innovation in breast cancer research while maximizing the promise of Komen to save lives and end breast 
cancer forever.
“The South Florida Affiliate is at the front line of the battle against breast cancer,” said Thompson. “South Florida survivors, family members and others have a passion to find a cure that is a critical weapon for us. And they’re not alone. The growing biotech and scientific community here can help provide the support necessary to win. I’m looking forward to speaking in such a dynamic, vital climate.”
The Pink Ribbon Luncheon and breast cancer education seminar, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, is expected to be a sold out fundraising event attended by about 450 people. Reservations are $100 per person. Organizers recommend registering early. To register and for more information go to www.komensouthflorida.org or call 561-514-3020. For more information, call Fern Duberman at 561-445-3172.
Duberman is chair of the luncheon for the fifth year and Kathleen Bocek is co-chairing the event. Honorary Chairs are Lisa and Bob Marton, a couple whose struggle to outwit breast cancer before it can strike is documented in the new book, Previvors, written by Woodfield resident Dina Roth Port.
Komen founder and CEO Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker spoke at last year’s luncheon, which raised $92,000 with 75 percent of the proceeds staying in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Funds are used for outreach and education, mammograms, diagnostic tests and treatment for the medically underserved.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.