Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood: Pro-Life People Should be Warned

Life News ^ | 5/24/10 | Hannah Carter

[wagglebee]

LifeNews.com Note: Hannah Carter is the director of education for Georgia Right to Life, a statewide pro-life group. This opinion column originally appeared on the GRTL blog web site.

Like many families, my grandmother and great-grandmother both had breast cancer. The issue of wanting to fight what harms your family or friends is noble. So when I tell people that I do not support Susan G. Komen an organization that exists to “fight breast cancer”, I normally get the look of one: why would you abandon your family or two: oh there goes one of those extremist.

However, my reasons are not that extreme, but rather principled.

I'm sure many of you reading this article have also been confronted with the issue of if I ‘m pro-life then how can I support an organization that supports the nation’s leading abortion provider. Hopefully, the following principles can shed some light on how to respond sympathetically, yet firm with why you cannot wear pink, or join the race, or all the various ways that Susan G. Komen is supported.

Principle # 1 Don't give to organizations that promote the shedding of innocent blood.

If this were a list of commandments, we could start with Thou Shall Not Kill. However, Proverbs 6:17 states that one of the seven things God hates are hands that shed innocent blood.

Unfortunately, Susan G. Komen has given over $3 million dollars between 2003 and 2008 to Planned Parenthood which is the nation’s leading abortion provider.

While Susan G. Komen makes claims that these grants go for breast exams, once the funds go to Planned Parenthood they are fungible. For example, you can throw two twenty dollar bills into a purse one from a friend and one from your own account, but when you go to pay the light bill you use both.

The same is true with Planned Parenthood’s money it receives from Komen. Whenever someone applies for a grant they can say that while this $5,000 is going to breast cancer research, 20 percent of that money is going to pay for administrative costs like keeping the lights on and paying rent. So in essence, the money that people are raising to fight breast cancer is also going to keep the lights on at Planned Parenthood.

According to the 2008 Annual Report from Planned Parenthood, breast cancer services decreased by 4% and abortion procedures increased by 6%. In 2008, Susan G. Komen gave $731,000 to Planned Parenthood.

Principle # 2 Know and Recognize the Risk Factors for the Disease You are Trying to Prevent.

There are certain risks that can increase an individual’s chance of getting breast cancer. While Susan G. Komen says that they believe in knowing your risk factors, they have repeatedly denied the link between breast cancer and one of the greatest avoidable risk factors, abortion.

According to Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, “29 out of 38 worldwide epidemiological studies show an increased risk of breast cancer of approximately 30% among women who have had an abortion.”

When a woman has an abortion she interrupts the natural process of estrogen production and breast development. When a woman first becomes pregnant her body produces a Type 1 carcinogen, cancer causing agent, estrogen in order to nourish and provide for the baby. If the mother has her child, her body stops producing as much estrogen and her breasts mature. However, if that process is interrupted, the estrogen production continues and her breasts stay in an immature state, making them more susceptible to breast cancer.

Groups like Susan G. Komen acknowledge that the level of exposure to estrogen throughout a woman’s lifetime is one of the greatest predictors for breast cancer. Sadly, they do not acknowledge that the increased exposure to estrogen after an abortion could increase risks of breast cancer as well. For an organization whose primary goal is “to have a world without breast cancer”, you would think they would try to let women know of all the risk factors for breast cancer, especially those that are preventable like abortion.

Recently, in an article by Jill Stanek, pro-life author and blogger, asked a very thought-provoking question, “Is it really “morally permissible” to cause breast cancer in one room if screening for it in the next?”

Stanek also noted in her article that recently that the ties between Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen are running deeper and deeper. See an excerpt below from Stanek’s article:

Three days ago a diligent pro-lifer in Washington state discovered on Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest’s IRS 990 forms that it has held a 12.5 percent share in Metro Centre, a mall in Peoria, Ill., since 2006. PPGNW is Washington’s largest abortion provider. (It is also currently under investigation for Medicaid fraud.) Metro Centre is owned by Eric Brinker. Eric Brinker is the son of Nancy Goodman Brinker, the founder of SGK.

Eric also sits on SGK’s board. Eric was a stand-up guy and responded to most of my initial questions. He explained in an e-mail, “This share represents a minority, non-operating interest in the business which they inherited from one of the original shareholders, a resident of Peoria. I, Eric Brinker, have controlling interest in Metro Centre.” But when I pursued follow-up questions, Eric wrote he was no longer available. So there is much still unanswered. Why didn't PPGNW cash in its inheritance? Why didn't Eric buy? If the share was willed, it was worth something. The real-estate market was thriving in 2006. It appears both partners are OK with this now four-year-old business partnership.

In essence, Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen’s nephew own a mall together.

The bottom line is that Susan G. Komen is not accomplishing its mission every time it gives to Planned Parenthood.

Every time a woman has an abortion and part of the money to fund that center staying open came from Komen, they are putting women at a greater risk for breast cancer.

Every organization no matter how noble the cause they claim to represent seems to be needs to be held accountable.

The question is will you?

To continue your search for the ties between Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood, please visit:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Awards 72 Grants to Planned Parenthood

Komen Giving to Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz Down as Donations Drop

Planned Parenthood Deepens Link to Breast Cancer Group

Susan G. Komen’s List of Grants to Planned Parenthood

Studies about the Link between Abortion and Breast Cancer

Report: Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood: A Visible Link

[metmom]

I can match that. I’ll be sending a copy of a dollar bill too.

[wagglebee]

I can match that. I’ll be sending a copy of a dollar bill too.

I never would have guessed that Princess Swahayna would start a bidding war!

[trisham]

I respect you.

Sorry. No money. :)

[trisham]

You might as well have said “yes”.

[Eagle Eye]

Wow...amazing....asking for proof to refute Komen’s statements somehow makes me pro abortion but actively seeking to cut breast cancer research donations doesn’t make one pro cancer?

Consistency sure isn’t your strong suit.

Why does Komen go to PP to screen for cancer? Maybe because there are women there who may be at risk?

And that is so damn evil that they deserve the same pro abort label that should be reserved for those who actually advocate and encourage abortion.

Fine. Call me pro abort. It doesn’t phase me as it is simply the equivalent of the Liberals using the race card.

[Eagle Eye]

So could you.

[P-Marlowe]

Fine. Call me pro abort. It doesn’t phase me as it is simply the equivalent of the Liberals using the race card.

It doesn't phase you because you are.

Anyone who supports anyone giving PP any money for any reason is pro-abort.

It is the functional equivalent of giving the KKK money for Sunday School programs and pretending you are doing it "for the children".

PP exists for the sole purpose of aborting our posterity.

[surfer]

Exactly...

[Eagle Eye]

An organization that claims to be fighting against breast cancer is actually invested in spreading it.

Komen says in their published statements that they don't.

Either you are mistaken or they are wrong.

If you have evidence that you are right and they are wrong then that would be big news.

But I'm betting that you have nothing more than your opinion, no evidence at all.

Komen says they don't fund abortions and they monitor their grants and until someone shows something factual to disprove it then I will take them at their word.

I'll be happy to change my opinion if someone can bring out some financial forms from either group that show that Komen is actually funding abortions.

Should I hold my breath waiting for you to bring proof?

[wagglebee]

Either you are mistaken or they are wrong.

If you have evidence that you are right and they are wrong then that would be big news.

But I'm betting that you have nothing more than your opinion, no evidence at all.

The only person who is mistaken is YOU:

National Cancer Institute Researcher Admits Abortion Breast Cancer Link

Research: Women in China See 17% Higher Breast Cancer Risk From Abortion

Abortion, birth control pill linked to breast cancer, surgeon says

Group Wants Probe of National Cancer Institute Abortion-Breast Cancer Coverup

Jill Stanek: Top scientist finally admits abortion-breast cancer link

Komen for the Cure Races as Research Shows Abortion-Breast Cancer Link

Surgeon Says Abortion Ups Breast Cancer Risk, Full-Term Pregnancy Helps Lower It

New research backs abortion-breast cancer link

New Study Finds 66 Percent Increased Breast Cancer Risk After Abortion

When Abortion Kills Twice: The Abortion/ Breast Cancer Link

Breast Cancer Doc: Fed Govt Ignores Abortion-Breast Cancer Link

British MPs to Propose Bill Investigating Abortion Breast Cancer Link

Abortion Predicts Breast Cancer Better Than Other Factors, Study Shows

Abortion Definitely Increases Breast Cancer Risk, Researcher Tells NRLC Convention

First ever Abortion-Breast Cancer Settlement [ABORTION causes BREAST CANCER]

[BykrBayb]

Wrong! Komen does not say in their published statements that they don't fund Planned Parenthood. Komen says in their published statements that they do fund Planned Parenthood. Do you really need me to supply links, or are you capable of doing a simple search on your own?

[BykrBayb]

Why does Komen go to PP to screen for cancer? Maybe because there are women there who may be at risk?

There certainly are. Planned Parenthood is a very dangerous place for women and children.

[Eagle Eye]

Your opinions are emotionally based, aren’t they?

Just wondering, did you actually read what Komen says on the topic or are you just responding based on rumor and innuendo?

Last year someone posted the same thing and it shocked me so I went to the Komen web site and read what they said.

Among their numerous statements is the following paragraph:

“We monitor our grantees twice a year to be sure they are spending the money in line with our agreements, and we are assured that Planned Parenthood uses these fund only for breast health education, screening and treatment programs.”

http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Footer/MediaCenter/planned%20parenthood%20winer-09.pdf

Do you have proof that Komen supports abortion when they specifically say they don’t? Or just ass-umptions and speculation?

[wagglebee]

There certainly are. Planned Parenthood is a very dangerous place for women and children.

However, and the pro-aborts REFUSE to acknowledge this, mammograms are only recommended for women OVER 40 and women over 40 are unlikely to go to Planned Parenthood. The only screening recommended for younger women (e.g. the ones who go to Planned Parenthood) is a manual breast exam and those DON'T COST ANYTHING TO PERFORM.

If Komen wanted their money to be used to actually detect breast cancer, they would give their grants to facilities that actually treat women over 40.

[Eagle Eye]

No doubt!

Perhaps the screeners that Komen provide to the clinics realize that they can’t do anything about the abortions but feel that they can still help some women in other ways?

How evil is that to desire to help in ways that they can?

[Eagle Eye]

Maybe you should offer your expertise to Komen?

How is it that with all their money and resources they have missed out on your expertise?

Perhaps, just perhaps, one of the things that the Komen screeners do is inform the women (and not all that go in to these clinics get abortions) is that getting an abortion may increase their risk of breast cancer? And that is wrong?

Just wondering, how many of Komen’s published statements did you read?

I suspect that you are just like all the idiots who condemned Arizona’s 1070 law without reading it.

[Eagle Eye]

You are misquoting me. I said “Komen says they don’t fund abortions” not that they don’t send grants to PP.

[BykrBayb]

Wrong again. I neither quoted nor misquoted you. I merely repeated the truth, which I have said from the start. You misquoted me.

Komen funds Planned Parenthood. Komen admits they fund PP. Planned Parenthood performs abortions. PP admits they perform abortions. If they can face up to the truth, why can’t you?

[Eagle Eye]

How to Assess the Moral Permissibility of a Catholic Health Care Organization’s Involvement

It seems that Catholic heath care ethicists are on board with what Komen does.

But, hey, why should anyone believe Komen or these guys when they've got you around?

Nothing personal, but since I'm making a choice on who to believe I have to reject your claims in favor of Komen and the Catholic ethicists?

If the RC church doesn't find fault with Komen on this then neither am I.

[Eagle Eye]

Oops, forgot the link.

http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content_Binaries/CHA_HamelPanicola_MA08.pdf