Breast Cancer Charity Ends Planned Parenthood Funding

[Shea Veile]

This really disturbs me ...


Breast Cancer Charity Ends Planned Parenthood Funding


Planned Parenthood said on Tuesday that the leading U.S. breast-cancer charity would no longer provide new funding to the group, which performs abortions and other services at clinics around the country.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood said the Susan G. Komen Foundation had "succumbed to political pressure" from anti-abortion groups in cutting the funding.

Komen had begun notifying local Planned Parenthood affiliates that their breast cancer prevention programs will no longer be eligible for new grants from the charity, it said.

Planned Parenthood said Komen had not responded to requests to meet and talk about the decision to cut the funding, which it said had helped thousands of women in rural and underserved communities get breast health education, screenings, and mammogram referrals.

But it said the Komen Foundation had been "repeatedly threatened" in recent years by anti-abortion groups upset with its affiliation with Planned Parenthood.

The Komen Foundation, best-known for the Race for the Cure fundraisers it sponsors around the country each year, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The foundation said it raised more than $1.9 billion for breast cancer research and programs and has affiliates in more than 100 U.S. cities and 50 countries. Its symbol - the pink ribbon - is widely recognized.

Planned Parenthood said Komen's funding had helped pay for 170,000 of the more than 4 million clinical breast exams the group had performed over the past five years, as well as more than 6,400 of the 70,000 mammogram referrals it has made during that time.

Planned Parenthood has come under attack by lawmakers in several states over the past year, including North Carolina, Indiana and Kansas, who have attempted to block any government funding of the group.

In Kansas, county prosecutors outside Kansas City are pressing criminal charges against Planned Parenthood, alleging the group failed to maintain required paperwork related to the abortions it provided.

Under current law, Planned Parenthood cannot use federal funds to provide abortions though it receives federal money to provide family aid to low-income women.


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[CuteOldGuy]

Yes, I see where this is a stupid decision, but the Komen Foundation is a private charity, and they can do what they want with their money. My guess is that donations will decrease after this, and I'll bet a new group forms to replace the donations to PP.

This will probably have the effect of driving more donations to PP, because of the ill-advised decision Komen made. It's too bad. It tarnishes the reputation of a terrific organization, by that I mean the Komen Foundation.

[Col. Zodiak]

Not hobby related,moved to Sandbox

[JD Barleycorn]

I don't see how this is a stupid decision. Planned Parenthood is coming under scrutiny and possible indictment. Why does Susan Komen want a part of that?

[timpage]

Sigh. It's a bad decision because Planned Parenthood does a lot more than provide abortions. In fact, abortions are a miniscule perentage of the services that PP provides to low-income women. Less than 3 percent of what PP does....the rest is providing health services to women who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it. Cancer screening, contraceptives, treatment for STD's, etc. Yes, what a terrible organization JD. Jail them all.

Did you even read the article? PP has performed almost 4,000,0000 breast exams in 5 years.....and the Komen Foundation promotes and funds breast examinations....to help prevent and treat breast cancer.

[Iaintliein]

Well, I suppose there are likely more females aborted than males which should cut breast cancer rates.

There should be a "disclosure" requirement necessitating a list of supported organizations and % actually going toward the titled charity posted where ever donations are solicited. I'd bet at least half of those who'd donated to this cause in the past would not have had they known the money was going to fund abortion.

[Shea Veile]

Originally Posted by timpage

In fact, abortions are a miniscule perentage of the services that PP provides to low-income women. Less than 3 percent of what PP does....the rest is providing health services to women who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it. Cancer screening, contraceptives, treatment for STD's, etc.

You are very correct. PP offers so many services, not just abortions.

Originally Posted by Iaintliein

Well, I suppose there are likely more females aborted than males which should cut breast cancer rates.

There should be a "disclosure" requirement necessitating a list of supported organizations and % actually going toward the titled charity posted where ever donations are solicited. I'd bet at least half of those who'd donated to this cause in the past would not have had they known the money was going to fund abortion.

You're very uneducated if you believe that PP only offers abortions. In fact, just a small handful of their facilities are licensed to do it.

The other services timpage listed make up the majority of the health care given by PP.

You have no idea of the massive numbers of people who rely on PP as a low-cost health care alternative. Men and children are included.

If you think the state services offices are already stretched thin, wait until the overflow from PP spills into the bigger picture.


Oh and FYI, men get breast cancer too.


Please refer to the pie graph below.





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[Little Stevie]

Well said, Shea, and well-researched. I have signed petitions all day.

This is a very dumb, selfish and I assume a politically-motivated move!

Thank you for keeping us informed!

[Guest040616]

Thank you Shea. Excellent thread!

[coven]

Very informative and well put, Shea.

[Sensia]

The Susan G. Komen's new vice president ran for governor of Georgia on a platform of de-funding the Planned Parenthood organization.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...sEnabled=false

Politics should never get in the way of women's health issues.. but those people who donated to S.G.K foundation for years such as myself were unaware of this and I guarantee you that they will lose donations. I for one will start taking my donations to Susan G. Komen Foundation and giving it to Planned Parenthood. Screw Susan G. Komen Foundation if they are going to do this.

[Jackie S]

I am curious how different the pie chart would look if it was divided not by services performed, but by money made from services rendered.

[Guest090716-1]

Originally Posted by Guilty Pleasures

Politics should never get in the way of women's health issues..

Very well stated.....but unfortunately the greed and selfishness of a few always tends to afflict the masses!!

Great thread Shea!!

[Sensia]

Originally Posted by Jackie S

I am curious how different the pie chart would look if it was divided not by services performed, but by money made from services rendered.

I believe you can go to the PPFA financial report that planned parenthood makes public. They show their financials.

What they make in the way of services generally goes back into the organization to help women who cannot afford women's health care or testing.

[CuteOldGuy]

The Komen Foundation is a private organization, right? They can do with their money what they want, so long as it does not violate the terms of their Foundation. It is a bad decision, but they can make bad decisions if they want to. You don't like their decision? Quit donating to them. Donate to organizations that you DO agree with. It's simple.