Amid abortion debate, Komen cancer charity halting grants to Planned Parenthood

The Washington Post ^ | 1/31/12 | AP Editors

[Yossarian]

NEW YORK — The nation’s leading breast-cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is halting its partnerships with Planned Parenthood affiliates — creating a bitter rift, linked to the abortion debate, between two iconic organizations that have assisted millions of women.

Planned Parenthood says the move results from Komen bowing to pressure from anti-abortion activists. Komen says the key reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation in Congress — a probe launched by a conservative Republican who was urged to act by anti-abortion groups.

(snip)

“We’re kind of reeling,” said Patrick Hurd, who is CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia — recipient of a 2010 grant from Komen — and whose wife, Betsi, is a veteran of several Komen fundraising races and is currently battling breast cancer.

(snip)

Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun said the cutoff results from the charity’s newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations that are under investigation by local, state or federal authorities. According to Komen, this applies to Planned Parenthood because it’s the focus of an inquiry launched by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., seeking to determine whether public money was improperly spent on abortions.

[tutstar]

gnip

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I haven’t given a dime to either organization. At least Komen did the right thing. Finally.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Wow, now maybe I don’t have to feel negative about my sister (Stage IV) having pink-ribbon stuff and supporting all of that.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Really doesn’t matter the reason. Send money and note that it’s because the PP stuff stopped. Maybe that’ll keep ‘em that way.

[upchuck]

Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun said the cutoff results from the charity’s newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations that are under investigation by local, state or federal authorities.

The key to this is the phrase I bolded in the above statement.

I suspect Komen had a meeting to determine how best (from a PR standpoint) to get away from PP. They concocted a great way to do it. Accomplishes their goal and minimizes the negative publicity.

I am so glad to hear about this!

[a fool in paradise]

“We’re kind of reeling,” said Patrick Hurd, who is CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia — recipient of a 2010 grant from Komen — and whose wife, Betsi, is a veteran of several Komen fundraising races and is currently battling breast cancer.

The CEO of PP is hard up for money to pay for his wife's treatments? I doubt that. Probably makes as much as Warren Buffet's secretary before taxes.

[a fool in paradise]

Or is he a lowlife rat bastard like John Edwards who milked his wife’s cancer for sympathy while he was cheating around on her siring bastard children?

[No Socialist]

. . . organizations that have assisted millions of women

They mean PP is an organization that has killed millions of little girls.

Good news, but I’ll still not donate to Komen

[a fool in paradise]

No one else offers free breast cancer screenings? I mean, apart from the lowlifes who go door to door?

Meanwhile the pink garbage trucks and races are all to benefit the ladies. Why no major push to eradicate prostate cancer? Do liberals really thinks that men are just wage slaves for paying taxes?

[WPaCon]

Thank God!

I’m no longer going to have to bang my head off the wall every October because of all the pink at football games.

[rimtop56]

I haven’t had anything to do with the Komen foundation since I found out they support Planned Parenthood.

[GeronL]

too little, too late

I’d never give them anything

if I had anything to give

[Yooper4Life]

The reason does matter. Based on the stated reason for ending funding (government investigation), there is no reason to assume the funding won’t resume when the investigation ends.

Maybe you donate $1000 next week (along with a note that the donation is because they are no longer funding PP), and the following week the investigation ends and funding resumes - with your donation directly contributing to the baby killing cause.

On top of that, since Komen obviously STILL fails to see the moral light, I have no reason to trust anything they say or what they do with donation money.

[Beatthedrum]

Makes sense to me. One organization is fighting as hard as they can to prolong life, help women defeat breast cancer - the other is dedicated to killing women before they are even born.. Why the hell would they ever want to be in the same room

[Darren McCarty]

This is bigger than people think. A LOT of people give to Komen foundation.

Cancer kills. So does abortion.

[swpa_mom]

I can’t name ONE woman who ever went to planned parenthood for a breast exam.

I doubt if planned parenthood could name one, either

[Skooz]

bump

[Gopher Broke]

VA Planned Parenthood Statement on this Decision:

Disappointing news from a friend

BREAKING NEWS:
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has been pressured by right wing groups to stop supporting breast cancer screenings for poor women at Planned Parenthood health centers.

Please — if you can — make your emergency gift to Planned Parenthood in Virginia today.

Dear xxxxxx,

I wanted to share some extremely discouraging news from a partner and longtime ally for women’s health — news that could have devastating consequences for women in Virginia.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has announced that it will stop supporting lifesaving breast cancer screening for low-income and underserved women at Planned Parenthood health centers — including those in Virginia.

It’s a deeply disappointing decision — made even more alarming because politically motivated groups and individuals determined to undermine women’s access to care appear to have successfully intimidated the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to withdraw this critical support.

Over the past five years, Komen funds have enabled Planned Parenthood health centers to provide nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and referrals for more than 6,400 mammograms. These cancer detection and prevention programs saved the lives of women who often had nowhere else to turn for care.

But when anti-choice groups began criticizing the Komen Foundation for partnering with Planned Parenthood, the foundation ended its support for Planned Parenthood health centers. We know our opponents put their ideology over women’s health and lives. What we never expected is that an ally like the Komen Foundation would choose to listen to them.

But as troubling as that decision is, it’s not what I’m most worried about today. The grants that the Komen Foundation is ending go to Planned Parenthood health centers that provide cancer screenings to women who often have no other place to turn for care. We are determined to make sure that these women can continue to get the care they need — and, as always, that means we are counting on you. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to help us continue to be here for the women in Virginia.

For almost 100 years, Planned Parenthood health centers have relied on the generosity and compassion of others to deliver care to women, men, and teens. The support of organizations like the Komen Foundation is always appreciated — but people like you are the true heart and soul of Planned Parenthood.

Women in Virginia can’t afford to be caught up in the heartless campaigns of anti-choice groups and their allies in Congress. I’m counting on you to help us defend their access to care — and to tell those who care more about politics than people that we will not stand for it. Click here to make your emergency gift.

Thank you for all that you do for Planned Parenthood in Virginia and everyone in our community who relies on us. It means the world to us, truly.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America