(CNN) – The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation revealed Tuesday it was cutting funds to Planned Parenthood, sparking an outcry from abortion rights advocates blaming “political pressure” and praise from an anti-abortion group.
The major breast cancer research group cut funds to the prominent family planning organization after Planned Parenthood has come under increasing scrutiny from Congress over how it provides abortion services. The Komen Foundation gave few details on the reasons behind the decision, attributing the announcement to "changes in priorities and policies" and the need to "most fully advance [its] mission."
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"It is critical to underscore that the women we serve in communities remain our priority. We are working directly with Komen Affiliates to ensure there is no interruption or gaps in services for women who need breast health screening and services,” the group said in a statement.
The Komen Foundation did not respond to repeated requests for more information about the decision.
Nancy Brinker, the founder and CEO of the Komen Foundation, was a political appointee of the George W. Bush Administration, in which she served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and as Chief of Protocol. Susan G. Komen was Brinker's sister.
Planned Parenthood, meanwhile, was clearly disappointed with the foundation's decision.
"We are alarmed and saddened that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appears to have succumbed to political pressure. Our greatest desire is for Komen to reconsider this policy and recommit to the partnership on which so many women count," Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, said in a statement.
Planned Parenthood said funding from the Komen Foundation has largely paid for breast exams at local centers. In the last five years, grants from the group have directly supported 170,000 screenings, comprising about 4% of the total exams performed at Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide, according to the group.
The family planning organization announced a recent "emergency fund" from a different group, the Amy and Lee Fikes' Foundation, that will go towards making up for lost funds from Komen. The gift totaled $250,000.
Planned Parenthood said Komen began notifying local affiliates recently that their breast cancer initiatives would not be eligible for new grants. In a statement, the group said the foundation's leadership did not respond to requests to meet with Planned Parenthood officials about the decision.
In September, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce began an investigation of Planned Parenthood over the organization's "compliance with federal restrictions on funding abortions."
In a letter sent to Planed Parenthood, the committee asked the group to provide information on how it segregates family planning from abortion services, as well as its policies on reporting cases of sexual abuse, rape and sex trafficking.
The committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns, also asked for all internal audit reports from 1998 to 2010.
Funding for Planned Parenthood came under the spotlight in April, when a GOP push to strip $317 million in federal funding for the group failed in an eleventh hour budget deal to avoid a government shutdown.
Reacting to the news Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington pointed to the House investigation as the cause behind Komen's decision, saying in a statement she was "extremely disappointed that politics is once again coming between women and their health care needs."
Democratic Rep. Mike Honda of California also sharply criticized the moved and called on the Komen foundation to reconsider its decision.
"This is just the latest casualty in a misguided and harmful campaign started by House Republicans to demonize the life-saving health services delivered by Planned Parenthood health centers," Honda said in a statement.
But the decision was applauded by some in the anti-abortion community, which has long called for the dismantling of Planned Parenthood.
Tony Perkins, a major social conservative leader who heads the Family Research Council, quickly praised the Komen Foundation's decision Tuesday as “good news” for women seeking help with breast cancer, as well as for the “lives of many unborn babies.”
"Susan G. Komen can chose to stop subsidizing the abortion giant, surely Congress can redirect its resources to those helping women, not making a profit off the lives of unborn children," Perkins said in a statement.
– CNN’s Sara Pratley, Ashley Killough and Dan Merica contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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This was a good move that protects women's health from a predator organization
women across America stop supporting Komen, they don't support all women why should we support them. There are other wonderful organizations that help women with breast cancer, organizations that don't turn their charities into political groups. I'm done giving to this group, and so are other friends and family I called. I wish I could get the money back I alreayd gave. I didn't know I was giving to a right wing political group when I made the donations.
Time to sink the pink since they represent a religion and not women.
the Susan G. Komen bunch..bursting with hot pink faux optimism..was founded by for-profit cancer centers...Takes money from companies that actually cause breast cancer, and cons gullible women into thinking that more ionizing radiation is good for them. The Susan G. Komen con has never cured any breast cancer ..but it has given lots of money to drug companies like Astra Zeneca..and for-profit mammography businesss. .say the word "cause" to the susan g. komen types and they'll give you the death eye...why? Don't give them a red cent.
I won't support Susan Komen Foundation–my contribution will go to Planned Parenthood. What a cowardly thing to do–and one that penalizes women!
Denying breast cancer screening to poor women is NOT a pro-life decision.
Interesting- I always thought they were for cancer research. How many people in the past donated without realizing they supported abortions also. I think more would be offended by that then they are for not stopping support of abortions.
**for stopping support of abortions.
wow, really why would an organization that is suppost to be using donations to fght breast cancer donate to planned parenthood in the first place?
Well, I just dropped my support for the Susan G. Komen organization. I won't send them another dime as long as they hold this position.
Komen just lost my support and money. Just adding this to a growing list.
Im so happy to be able to start supporting this cause to save lives without having to worry that my money will be used to end lives.
I wish they would reconsider. The idea that Planned Parenthood only does abortions is just a falicy. Sometimes it is the only health care some women can get. Why cut that off? Because these crazy conservatives don't look at the whole picture and only see what they want.
I agree with and support all you ladies that wrote these posts.
@Karrie
Because Planned Parenthood provides a lot of health services for women, including breast cancer screenings.
Planned Parenthood provides health services for women–pap smears, mamograms, other cancer screenings–to women who can't afford it otherwise. Karrie, are you opposed to that?
Planned Parenthood is much more than abortions, through the screenings offered at Planned Parenthood I know two women that were diagnosed with cancer-young women 32 and 35 years old. Had they not have been screened the cancer would not have been caught at stage one!
I know I used Planned Parenthood when I was in college and did not have the funds to see a private doctor for my annual checkups.
People who are against abortions obviously don't know how hard it is on teenage girls to raise a child.... I made the decision with the help of planned parenthood to have mine and it was the best decision I ever made. I was able to graduate from high school and now I'm on track to graduate from sac state to become an educator. People say that abortions are wrong and that you should give a child up for adoption instead. Giving birth to a child and giving them away is far worse then not bringing them into this world at all, not everyone adopts, and not everyone has stability to raise a child at all. If people are so concerned about children why bring them into this world to suffer. Women should have a choice teens should have a choice. Susan g koman is making a mistake by not supporting planned parenthood...
Have always supported Koman...no more!
How awesome is this! Way to go Komen!
Planned Parenthood is an organization of ill repute that helped put to death 330,000 children JUST LAST YEAR! During Obama's term they have helped (and have profited from) putting to death over 1 MILLION children. You don't travel to other places around the world to see horrific genocide taking place. It's taking place at every Planned Parenthood fascility around the country. It's so, so sad. So many innocent children have died from this plague we call abortion.
I hope no one ever has another abortion – however – I believe that this issue and the fight against cancer are separate issues and should not be confused. Unfortunately the issues are being confused. I believe that all life is of value. Denying care needed to catch cancers at a treatable stage is in effect the senseless murder of women. No one knows when life actually begins but I do know that a WOMAN seeking medical attention is ALIVE without question. I hope that no one ever has another abortion but I also hope no who could have been saved dies for lack of timely treatment.
I would never donate to the Susan Komen "Charity". It has become a political pawn. To see how much of actual donations go to cancer research, etc., one should research their history and filings. They have races everywhere and all the time across the country. They are totally commercial and political now and people will hopefully, stop subsidizing them and their outrageous luxurious salaries and administrative fees.
Planned Parenthood needs over 700K to make up the shortfall for health services (like breast cancer screening) for poor women! Do remember them when considering your donations. Also, an organization that is a wonderful alternative to Komen is Breast Cancer Action: http://bcaction.org/ They don't waste time covering bridges with pink lights or getting the Energizer Bunny's endorsement; they fund research. They fund research on environmental carcinogens (including some produced by SGK's biggest donors) and also on how to manage cancer when it occurs in order to reduce fatality.
I guess the Susan Komen Foundation is only concerned with fighting breast cancer for rich women. Speaking as a woman currently in treatment for breast cancer who didn't have health insurance, it was a low income clinic -supported in part through Planned Parenthood -that did my screening. Planned Parenthood does NOT provide abortions – so prolife or not, this is just a political grandstand. I WILL be telling all the people who love me, and want to do those races etc, to NOT PARTICIPATE in things they sponsor. They only care about the rich.
Once again Republican rhetoric show us what they think about womens healthcare! It's clear that affordable healthcare for women is not now or ever going to be an important issue, let alone priority! I will never again wear the pink ribbon or think of the Komen organisation as helpful to women! Cutting off funding to those who need it most is unconscionable!!
Maybe if Planned Parenthood would stop abortions and killing babies..The Susan G.Komen move would give donations again..But again..under this idiot president and democrat controlled senate..They are just liars..They don't care about you !! They just want to control you..C'mon ladies WAKE UP!!! Geesh!!
As a breast surgeon I am appalled at the lack of foresight and narrowmindedness this decision displays. I will no longer support the Foundation.
Wow, what an anti-woman thing to do Susan B. Koman. You do know Planned Parenthood supplies cancer screening for Poor Women. DONT YOU???
I underwent a breast biopsy a few years ago. Thankfully, my health care providers found nothing serious. Women over forty or those younger who have a familial history of breast disease MUST have a mammogram once a year. I always admired the Susan B. Komen Foundation for encouraging and helping women obtain the care they need. Having said that, I will no longer give one cent to the Foundation and will discourage friends and family members from participating in the Foundation's yearly Race for the Cure until they reconsider their position.
Planned Parenthood is NOT synonymous with abortion. The organization provides other services, including mammograms, pap smears, and other services to women (AND MEN!!!!) who cannot go to a private doctor. Furthermore, the cost for these services is a fraction of what a private physician or a hospital would charge!
It is beyond time to take the politics and religious views out of women"s health care!
Why would you stop funding Susan G. Komen simply because they no longer fund Planned Parenthood? I am guessing that you did not fund them in the first place because they supported Planned Parenthood? They are still doing the same, great work you say you used to support them for, that is, helping women fight and overcome breast cancer. They have not endorsed the Republicans nor the Democrats nor some Independent party with this move, hence, how can it be seen as political? May you rest well knowing the money you donated still supports the cause you donated it for, FIGHTING BREAST CANCER.
Newsflash: Planned Parenthood has NEVER provided mammograms.
And for that reason, I've never donated to Komen...until now.
I'm happy now that I can race for the cure and other such things without a moral dilemma.
If Planned Parenthood doesn't provide mammograms or breast cancer services (their screenings are the same kind that can be self-administered) why were they getting money in the first place?
Way to go Komen. That's a LOVELY dose of logic.
There are many articles about the Komen foundation and how its become a huge money machine. They are linked to the drug companies, research industries, fringe corporations . If a cancer cure is revealed the flow of donations and money will stop. Crooks are benefiting from this Komen pink ribbon SCAM. Looks like the political ties are revealing themselves now as well. This is one of the grandest SCAMS ever.
I will never buy another pink ribbon.
Newsflash ladies: You're local family Dr. performs abortions. So, it's ok for them to treat all issues concerning their patients, but Planned Parenthood is not? I think too many people just want a bandwagon to jump on, so they go along believing only part of a story, or a complete and outright lie.
I'd like to say I'm amazed at the controversy, but I'm not. Poke anywhere near either side of the political spectrum and you'll hear howls whether or not they are logical.
Susan G. Koman Foundation's mantra mission is "for the cure." Look it up. People donate and participate to help find a cure. They don't donate expecting SGKF will turn around and spend the money on a wide variety of women's health issues; they donate to help find a cure. I'd bet many aren't surprised that the funding to Planned Parenthood is ending - they are (as I am) surprised to find the funding was happening in the first place.
Planned Parenthood does many wonderful things. But it also does controversial things that are not related to finding a cure for breast cancer. Not only do they perform abortions, they are a major advocate of abortion rights and spend lots of money on that. But, in the end, it really doesn't matter whether you support or don't support those controversial programs - those programs are not focused on finding a cure for breast cancer.
Now, there are lots of places SGKF could spend the money people donate TO FIND A CURE. Why should they invest the money in an entity that is not spending it for that purpose?
I'm sad to announce that effective immediately my family will no longer be able to attend their annual races. I will instead donate the money to Planned Parenthood.
komen's contribution to relieve population control
time to stop supporting komen. not one more dime.
@DoneBroke, and anyone else who didn't actually read the article:
"Planned Parenthood said funding from the Komen Foundation has largely paid for breast exams at local centers. In the last five years, grants from the group have directly supported 170,000 screenings, comprising about 4% of the total exams performed at Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide, according to the group. "
Planned Parenthood provides all manner of women's health services.
To think the founding fathers took all the trouble of ensuring that religion and politics were kept apart, just for the next generations to come along and muck it up. Do you remember when this nation was great? I came here chasing the American Dream, and now realized that it was just that- a dream. Religion is bringing this country down, fast.
Politics in medicine is almost always bad. PP is a worthy organization. The republican establishment does not care about the poor who rely on the services offered by PP. I will double my support of PP. Let the Dr. & the woman make the decision–not the politican! The "right to lifers" will cause more harm to the poor & working poor women as they gain politcal power. Sad.
Planned Parenthood offers many great services to women....that is why Komen supported and donated to Planned Parenthood.
Anyone talking about how Planned Parenthood kills children should find the tallest cliff. Or once in their life should work hard and get their facts.
As the article points out, losing the funding from the Komen Foundation means Planned Parenthood will not be able to provide low-cost (or free) breast exams for women who can't afford it. People who want Planned Parenthood to continue to be able to subsidize that care should donate money directly to Planned Parenthood instead of to the Komen Foundation.
So we again choose to turn women's health into a singular pro-life/pro-choice issue. Great. I wish those who fight so hard opposing abortion rights would labor just has hard for the benefit of those babies living among us who are in dire need of food, shelter and love. Instead - and I'll call out Republicans on this - they wish to curb food programs, healthcare, education and whatever else they can think of.
Republicans are pro-life? Think again!
I've been laid of for a while. If it weren't for planned parent hood i would not be able to afford my yearly exam or birth control. I have never had an abortion. But i have recieved services and medicine and health care for free from caring people. Whenever people automaticly say planned parent hood= abortion it makes me angry. They do so much more than that vital health screenings and medicines and education that some women ( and men ) would not be able to afford otherwise. Shame on the Koman foundation. I don't agree with abortion either, but i won't stop some woman with no where to go or who was assaulted from being able to make a choice. And i an beyond grateful for the service planned parenthood provides.
Then I stop supporting Komen.
I stopped giving to Komen due to their support of Planned Parenthood. I can now start donating again.
It is sad that some women may have a problem getting health care due to this decision but it would be best to separate funding of routine health screenings from funding abortions if PP is really concerned about that issue.
if planned parenthood was truly interested in providing health care women NEED, women who cant afford it, then they could very simply spin off the abortion mill branch and provide health care services to those who need it. there is no logical reason why the two need to stay bundled – other than to finance abortion on the sly.
Oh I stopped giving to Komen when I found out they were suing all other cancer awareness/research/support groups using the words "run for the cure" or "for the cure" whenever they had an event. This includes small little towns that are just trying to raise awareness and the runners are all cancer survivors and family. Well, if these runs are for a cure what the heck else wording are they supposed to use? It's a run, and it's for a cure.
Komen has become a business, a greedy business, rather than a foundation. Interesting to see they are using donated money to fund their lawsuits.
Reproduction and especially abortion are nobody's business but that of the people involved. Anyone who tries to make political capital of moral issues is a cynic and opportunist of the worst kind. Unfortunately, the conflation of the moral, social, political and monetary is the America we've made for ourselves, and individual women's rights are the rope in the tug-of-war between the misanthropes making the decisions.
Komen will no longer get my support.
Religion has no place in Politics...period. To all my Christians out there who adamantly support this ridiculous decision, please just ask yourself a question: When Jehovah's Witnesses or the Mormons come knocking at your door, what do you say to them? 'I'm not interested', or, 'sorry I don't agree with you', or perhaps a little ruder, ' get the hell off my property'? In fact, you don't even want to listen...so why should the rest of us bow down to you? Or agree with your stance? Get out of politics...you don't belong there. Women who choose to have abortions are doing so because they can. Its called free will – if there truly is a God like you say, then he/she will judge them accordingly. It is not your place. Besides, Planned Parenthood is NOT just about abortion...but I am pretty sure you already knew that.
So people donate to Komen for breast cancer,.. and not other things,... some groups that get funding from Komen use it for other things,.. and when Komen says no more funding for other reasons than breast cancer,... some people are now going to hate this worthwhile cause???
Some cannot see past their own bias,...
I wonder how many of the babies who were aborted in the time it took me to write this would have grown up to be women. Who is penalizing woman?
On both sides of the coin, many contributors for/against abortions probably didn't realize where their contributions went. So you who support abortion would stop supporting Komen simply because some of their money was no longer accessible for abortions? That's a very childish stance. You're going to withhold your donations just because someone disagreed with your pro abortion views? You ladies sound so self-righteous but your own words and actions are chipping away at your pedestals.
Who knew that "Race for the cure" means not only funding for breast cancer research but also unpublicized funding of abortions. I never did like Komen foundation much and now I detest it. Not because I'm anti-abortion, but because they are misrepresenting what they do with the donations. Sounds like the organization is guilty of fraudulent use of charitable funds.
My sister died of breast cancer. I support at least 3 Komen walks each year in her memory. The Komen Foundation cut funding to one of the top women's health providers in the country? I will no longer support Komen. I will be supporting Planned Parenthood instead.
I cant believe that anyone would believe that any company or organization, profit pr not-for-profit, tells the truth about anything. Especially in this day-in-age. Come on Adults, start acting adult.
Exactly what is wrong with making Planned Parenthood demonstrate how they keep their books so that they prove that none of the billion dollars over the last 3 years goes toward paying for abortions? Komen is right for disassociating themselves from Planned Parenthood...Planned Parenthood is the implementation of eugenics in America.
More importantly, The Komen Foundation has a responsibility to raise as much money for its cause as possible...being seen as contributing to funding abortion precludes hundreds of millions of conservatives from donating. Breaking ties with PP will open up a vast, untapped resource for donations for THEIR cause. It's not Komen's problem to be Planned Parenthood's golden goose.
I think it's purely a business decision...while I'm quite certain that irrational pro-abortion hysterics will try to make this about Komen is weak and caves to right wing extremism, which is ridiculous.
This is Planned Parenthood's fault for not being transparent about how they use revenues for providing abortions vs. health services.
Now i can go back to donating to Komen again
@deborah//"I won't support Susan Komen Foundation–my contribution will go to Planned Parenthood. What a cowardly thing to do–and one that penalizes women!"
========================
You don't see that your 2nd sentence is also a statement about your 1st?
Stop supporting Komen. Besides, heart disease kills more women than breast cancer every month. Think red, drop pink. Give charitably to causes that really support all women, no matter their religious or political policies. It's too bad that all of the good that Planned Parenthood does is overshadowed by the anti-choicers and their narrow minds. Many of the women who need to go to PP couldn't have yearly cancer screenings or healthcare for routine infections (like UTI's). They provide a great service!
Great to Komen looking out for ALL women even those that haven't been born yet.
Gee, I thought Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council was pro-life. Oh, now I remember, his organization is pro-life for the unborn, but anti-life for women already born. I'm extremely disappointed in the Komen Foundation to whom I contributed both time and money. Going forward, my time and money will be moved to Planned Parenthood.
It is entirely clear to me that anti abortion people, (sorry, you are NOT anymore "pro-life" than any one else. What a crock.) are not the most intelligent people walking around on this planet. The ones here that are praising the loss of funds have zero reading comprehension skills. Those funds are not used for abortion, as was clearly stated, but for breast exams. I have found it completely true in my experiences that these people lack all critical thinking skills and just parrot what they are told. My wife is an OB nurse who regularly refers women to Planned Parenthood for all sorts of issues. The office in our town does not do abortions, but there are old, misinformed, sad people out there protesting all the time. I just laugh at these hypocrites whenever I see them.
I guess PP will have to find someone else, maybe Obama, to take up the slack for the lost funds to keep their murdering going.
I can't stand the Komen Foundation for other reasons. It is a shameful organization that tried to copyright the color pink and sues any other cancer-fighting organization that uses pink or uses the words "for the cure." Komen is just about making money, not about helping anybody.
Being given a chance to live and MAYBE later die of breast cancer is better than never being given a chance to live.
Dear Komen – Please reconsider. I understand that with this gov't you must bow to political pressure or get obliterated, but this is a poor decision. No more of my donations will go to Komen!
If Planned Parenthood wishes to push the fact that it provides pap smears and other health care for women, it needs to separate its abortion services from its health care services. Abortion is no more health care than boob jobs are. Just because the pro-abortion forces are defining the terms, that doesn't mean their definitions are correct. Abortion is NOT health care.
There are other great organizzations that provide health care and testing for Women, other than Planned Parenthood in every state. While I understand PP is not just an abortion factory, that is a large part of their business. If they failed to provide the requested information, shame on them. All charitable funding and tax exemptions for groups do require certain audit information and requires info to be provided when requested. If PP failed to provide this info, then they need to take some responsiblity for losing their funding.
ISince the Komen foundation has choosen to become political I will no longer donate to them.
Good! Mw decided this issue in the 70's. It's decided move on.
I am a breast cancer survivor- this foundation will get no more contributions from "little ole me."
I am pro-choice, but why is a breast cancer fund supporting a family-planning organization?
Komen has certainly lost my support. I'll be directing the money I used to donate to Komen directly to Planned Parenthood and other worthy organizations instead.
It's amazing how uninformed some people commenting here are. How can they not know about all the health services Planned Parenthood provides to women who otherwise would not be able to have annual gyn exams, Pap tests, birth control and breast exams? Those who think that Planned Parenthood is primarily an abortion provider are sadly getting their information from sources with a political/religious agenda.
it's terrible that this organization has chosen to *change* their policy in order to support a loud and socially judgmental position that represents less than 20% of america.
it's complete nonsense, and can not be supported by anyone who has the conscience to accept another's circumstances (not to mention the law of the land) that might draw them to the unfortunate and difficult decisions about their own life and health.
they changed their policy in response to political pressure... that says a lot about their ethos!
Well, Susan G. Komen foundation...you just lost my funding and support.
Planned Parenthood has always gotten support money from us when we could afford it. Problem is what the Republicans are doing to this country, charity is at the bottom of my financial priorities.
I'm on board with most of these comments, too – have already written the Susan G. Komen organization to withdraw all future support. It was already kind of a racket (pink hand tools, really?) but having had breast cancer, I saw it as an effective and open-hearted endeavor, worthy of support and respect. This decision is a bad misstep, and should result in a public relations catastrophe.
I 've walked since the inception. No More. I'll donate the money to Planned parenthood,w here it will be used for ALL women. I am no longer a donor. What a stupid political decision from an organization that claims to be pro women.
Anyone who calls themselves "pro-life" and then makes a decision that deliberately stops women from getting needed cancer screenings has just proven to me that they are pro-life mostly for the baby-to-be and care more about women as vessels for pregnancies than they do for any woman's health. Shocked, disappointed, and will never donate to another pink ribbon campaign.
Give me a small break here, please, FRC. Planned Parenthood is NOT "making a profit off the lives of unborn children." They are a nonprofit organization that offers, among other reproductive health services, opportunities for young women to make the perfectly legal decision to have an abortion professionally carried out by a doctor when they might not have otherwise been able to afford it. Rent a clue.
Bad move. We will not be donating anything to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation this year, or in the future. My wife will be on the phone shortly, planning to pull her group's support and participation from local and national events. This was a poor decision that will cost the foundation millions going forward.
Planned Parenthood may have used the money for screenings but then they had more money for abortions...let them get private money from those who are for abortions. Susan's money is TO FIND A CURE.....let the money go for that.
Doesn't mean jack if Planned Parenthood does all kinds of other services. They still support the murdering of babies to protect the social lives of women. Great choice Komen, I support you 100%..
Why would Komen give money to planned parenthood in the first place? Sure, planned parenthood does stuff besides abort babies, but so do a lot of other organizations that don't abort babies at all. Komen's money is better served by going to an organization that isn't so morally "liberal."
Why we are at it, why not cut off the half billion the Feds give to PP seeing as how we are aready a trillion in the hole for the 2012 budget?
Susan G. Komen foundation will no longer receive any donations from me. That includes participating in any "race for the cure" events or "relay for life"'. Planned Parenthood provides many health services to women that may not be able to afford it. What is sad is that now many women will go without pap smears, which is one of the earliest ways to detect ovarian cancer. Kinda seems backwards to me.
The "death penalty" is murder and the majority of Republicans believe in it wholeheartedly!!! Keep your hands off of my body and allow me to make my own decisions about it. I truly do not believe in abortions, but I do not have the RIGHT to force others to follow my beliefs; it's their bodies.
Just like RELIGION – keep my privacy and my personal rights out of politics!!! It's about the economy and Jobs, stupid!!
Obama 2012!!
One more step toward back-alley abortions with wire hangers. Oh! You people thought you were stopping "abortions"? No, your just stopping the kind that don't kill or permanently scare the mother.
Planned Parenthood does other things but throws the baby out with the bathwater. Considering that breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer, it seems appropriate. I'll don't to the Komen foundations now.
You got to love how people defend PP for the "saving life" work they do all while taking life in another room down the hall. Susan G. Komen will gain far more in donations than they lose.
What cowardice to cave to the pressures of the right wing, a group more apparent than real, whose heat does not equal light and noise does not equal leadership
We will support the Koman Foundation all the more, now. This was a very good move.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure – a shill for the Republican party. Such a shame that women's health care is still a political football. There are many other cancer research groups (American Cancer Society for one) that one can send their contributions to for cancer research.
I will no longer support this charity. Planned Parenthood was a lifesaver for me when I needed regular pap smears and couldn't afford them. I imagine the same is true for women who need mammograms. Shame on them.
PP is an abortion mill. Women do not go there for mammograms or other preventative medical needs. You get birth control and abortions there. Someone tell me the name of one person they know that has had a mammo there? Other health centers provide services to women who need them, not pp. it's a big fat lie.
use the government money for abortions and Susan G. Koman's money to find a cure. I donate to Susan heavily every year and didn't know that some of my money went for Planned Parenthood...I was not happy to hear that.
I will no longer support Komen. Instead, I'll be adding what I used to donate to them and giving it directly to Planned Parenthood – one of the most vital and respected organizations there is. SHAME on the cowards at Komen. Really BAD decision that they will suffer for with drastic decreases in their fund raising efforts.
I don't know anyone personally who's received a breast cancer screening directly from Susan G. Komen, though they're constantly hitting me up for money. Show of hands? On the other hand, I do know dozens of people, male and female, who received cancer screenings from Planned Parenthood. I guess my donation is now going directly to to PP.
Only about 3% of Planned Parenthood's budget has anything to do with abortion and 90% of their clients aren't seeking abortions. The provide all sorts of women's health and reproductive services. Komen was supporting their breast cancer screening programs, which last I checked was Komen's mission. I think it might be best for those of us who support the mission of both organizations, to direct at least some of the money we would have given to a Komen event to Planned Parenthood directly. I admit I have never given a dime to Planned Parenthood before, but I just wrote them my first check!
I know this is REALLY hard for some of you to understand, but Planned Parenthood does more than abortions. Kinda like how your Wal-Mart is a one-stop shop, that's what Planned Parenthood is for women's health.
Duh, if a Breast Cancer awareness organization does not provide funds for breast exams and potentially life saving procedures what good are they?? Oh I guess they donate it to right wing political campaigns who want to go back to the stone age!!
this is what happens when government controls your life ---- ENJOY
Also, there goes my support for the Susan Komen foundation!! It will go straight to Planned Parenthood now!
My support will go to Planned Parenthood. I know politics plays into all of this and I am disappointed but not surprised that some people place the health and choice of women well below the value of their own political future.
As someone who has participated in the Koman 3 Day Walk for the Cure and raised a considerable amount of money for them, I will have to rethink my contributions if they cannot support GYN exams, including mammograms for the poor women of this country. They are bending to the will of a few and they are not doing the right thing by the women of America.
While stopping individual donations is a start, the key is to pressure all of the corporations who support Komen thinking they were supporting womens health. Starting with breast exams is a very good first step to reducing breast cancer. Follow the money and pick on the corporations, airlines, etc that have been duped into supporting this.
Some 25 years ago, our local United Way was taken over by the radical right and they threw Planned Parenthood out of the organization. I haven't given another dime to United Way since then – the money they would have gotten goes straight to Planned Parenthood. Looks like Susan G. Komen is joining my list of "stealth" supporters of Planned Parenthood.
I won't be sending Komen any money either. It now goes to Planned Parenthood. This is the reason we nee to vote out the Teavangel-aban.
Planned Parenthood provides health services to women. It doesn't pick and choose what it provides based on the beliefs of the people running it. It provides all legally available services. Isn't that the kind of organization that should be supported? Why should the beliefs of some dictate what is available to all? Shame on Komen.
We as a nation should be afraid. Religious ideology from the right is holding sway over our every lives; we seem more than ever to be going backwards in time in ways which the majority of Americans are going to quickly find is counter to the freedoms we've worked so hard toward and for for so many decades. All of this is brought to you courtesy of extremist members of the GOP whose efforts are impacting organizations like Komen and and the great things they do or have done to advance women's health and their right to choice.
2012 needs to be the time when the apathetic voters in America awaken. Our inability to pay attention led to the GOP takeover of Congress and their victory in elections nationwide. These four years of obstructionist governing might be okay if there was balance and the needs of the majority truly was in mind but as we've seen that is not the case. The agenda is radical; the interest is not in the majority of Americans instead, lining the pockets of the rich, implementing conservative ideals and not allowing the President to do his job are highlights of this Congress. We must all vote for change in 2012 – change to a Congress gone terribly awry.
"unborn babies" and "unborn children" are only potential life. Actual life begins at birth. Of course, registered Republicans probably think that Aristotle is the guy who runs the Greek diner in the next town.
Support abortion rights and cut off funding to Komen until they realize that pink is more important than red.
Well, I guess the Susan Komen Foundation is off my list for donations for a while.
I support The Susan G. Komen more than ever .
What do you expect when almost a third of this country supports the idea that women should be required to have children with any man that can overpower her.
Figures a Republican is heading this up. Abortion is legal, not going to change. Planned Parenthood is an excellent organization. If everyone who is against abortion adopt all of the foster and unwanted children being born, then I will agree with them.
@Karrie: They probably provide supplies and costs for people who can't afford breast cancer screenings.
When I was in my late teens and early 20's (in college), I went to Planned Parenthood for my annual exam. I couldn't afford to go to an Ob-Gyn practice. I had my breast exams, pap smears, and birth control prescription from PP. I graduated college, met my husband a few years later, and have been married (happily?) for over 20 years. My daughter is a freshman in college and my son a jr. in h.s. My life wouldn't be what it is had I not had the resources of PP. I likely would've ended up pregnant, college drop-out, and on welfare. BTW – I NEVER had an abortion. Their name should tell anyone with half a brain what their objective is: PLANNED parenthood.
Great decision SGK! Now you are really supporting women! You will get my money now.
@DoneBroke – you're aware that Planned Parenthood does more than perform abortions, right? Or are you one of those poor brainwashed little people who actually believed Paul Ryan and his ilk when they claimed that 97% of what Planned Parenthood does is abortion, when the actual number is around 3%? They do breast cancer screenings – at least I know I get one every year when I go there for my annual exam. (If, of course, I read your comment correctly – it's so poorly written that I wasn't positive WHAT you were saying, but I think I got it after reading it 11 times.)
Isn't interesting that most of the conservative groups that are calling for funding to stop going to Palnned Parent Hood are headed by MEN!! That the one's calling for(witch hunt) investigations in Congress are MEN, but you don't hear about women from Congress asking for investigations?? Why is that?? Is it because women such as Brinker allow them selves to be subservient to men??? When are you all going to tell these conservative hacks to back off and mind their own business?? perhaps what needs to be done is investigate those who continually call for Planned Parent Hood's demise and find out WHO is bankrolling them..
Moral majority? The goal is to save lives! How can blocking life saving information from reaching the vulnerable, be considered moral and christian? How moral is politicizing a woman's right to control her own body? Leave it to the right wing christian zealots to push civilization further and further into the past. They are beginning to sound like the Taliban.
I, for one, will finally start supporting the pink campaign because now my money is more likely to actually help treat and cure breast cancer than kill unborn children.
Planned parenthood provides a lot of health services!!...vast majority of their funds go to things like breast screenings, yearly exams, birth control to women who otherwise could not afford this critical health needs. It is so disappointing that Komen has cut off funding due to political pressure. I used planned parenthood in my 20's for those exact services because I had no health care and could not afford otherwise-preventative health care is a must. I wish politics would stay out of women's private lives. I will not donate to Komen again and I will continue to support planned parenthood for all the important services they provide.
Again, religion rears it's ugly head...
Mammograms are good. Pre-conception family planning serves a need. But you can't deny that Planned Parenthood is significantly involved in referring and providing abortions. If a group or individual has a moral, ethical and/or faith based objection to abortion, that is their right. If Susan G. Komen for the Cure has qualms about Planned Parenthood, then it is their decision to evaluate what their level of support should be.
You have to look at the whole picture. For example, Adolf Hitler re-industrialized Germany, pulling it out of its depression and created jobs. But then again, there was that whole thing about the Nazis and starting World War II...
Please look up the direct correlation between abortion and increased risk of breast cancer. There is a 66% increase in breast cancer rates in women who have had an abortion. (based on 2009 statistics) So, this means Susan G. Komen was funding Planned Parenthood which performs 27.6% of abortions nationally. (based on 2007 statistics) Also, Planned Parenthood has been criticized for not disclosing the increased risk of breast cancer associated with abortions. There are lawsuits pending related to this failure to disclose this fact. It sounds like Susan G. Komen was ensuring future contributions by funding abortions that, in turn, increase the number of breast cancer victims. More breast cancer victims, more money for Susan G. Komen. I am glad that the Komen foundation severed this tie with Planned Parenthood. I can only hope they did it because of the compelling evidence that abortions increase the risk of breast cancer.
Truly horrible, but not expected. As our goverment grows ever closer to a theological state and not a democracy, this and other former freedoms will quickly be stripped from the populace. Enjoy the future created by our failure to stop conservatism while we still had a chance...
I've sent my last donation to Komen then, been a faithful supporter sending $100 twice a year for years. It'll now be sent to Planned Parenthood. And I'll alert my friends to cease funding as well.
Sadly I donated to Komen every year,
I will do so no longer.
Not manypeople know this, but the SGK org doesn't provide health insurance to the majority of its employees. I'm so glag this farce of a "charity" is starting to be exposed in a truer light.
One word for Komen..."done". My donation to planned parenthood just doubled. It is a sad state of affairs when the most celebrated charity for WOMEN denies health screenings for WOMEN by bowing to the religious right. It's not about abortion folks, it's about the health and wellness of your sisters, mothers, wives and friends. Shame on you Komen.
Why not just go to a doctor for a breast cancer screening- why go to an abortion provider? Planned Parenthood seems to want to distract from what they really do. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to an abortion clinic for a breast cancer screening. What's next- they'll offer dental exams and braces? It's an abortion clinic. Nothing will change what Planned Parenthood is.
I'm crossing out Komen on my check and filling in Planned Parenthood.
@Karrie...
Read the article before posting.
It clearly states that the majority of their donations went to breast screenings.
For all of you who have stated you are going to quit contributing to the Susan Komen Foundation, I don't think they will miss your $20 donation. Grow up and quit being babies.
I'm so glad to read this news. I had quit giving to Komen because of their affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Komen is a great cause that shouldn't be assoicated with an organization that provides abortions. Save one and kill the other. That doesn't make sense.
It's stuff like this that boils my blood. Planned Parenthood does so much more for young women than pro-lifers realize. As a poor, young, female PP gave me free medical care, access to birth control, free screenings and education. They do amazing work and are the reason I didn't get pregnant with my first child until well into my 30's and married. Stop demonizing them. They prevent more abortions than they perform.
Do you think other organizations can not or do not provide the same screenings, etc. that Planned Parenthood does? Why so critical of a group that chooses to redirect its funding to go to pay for the services that save lives rather than have their money mixed up to provide abortions. The money is being spent on the Foundation's purpose – and that helps women. You probably never gave to the Foundation anyway. I will increase my donations because of this gutsy and morally responsible move.
Well I just dropped my funding for the Komen fund. Did you know that the Komen fund actually PROMOTES Breast Cancer? Oh look! I guess a deliberate lie DOES make a difference after all! Just like that Senator whose statement that 92% of Planned Parenthood's funding goes to abortions. When he was hit with the TRUTH that it was LESS THAN 3% he replied "that wasn't supposed to be taken as a statement of fact." See? 92% and 3%... what's the difference? Maybe as much as leaving the word "Research" off of my statement about Komen?
You people seriously cannot read? SGK is not denying breast cancer screening to poor women. Let's try this again . . .
"It is critical to underscore that the women we serve in communities remain our priority. We are working directly with Komen Affiliates to ensure there is no interruption or gaps in services for women who need breast health screening and services,” the group said in a statement.
Besides, if you are poor in this country, you have it made with this president in office:
subsidized housing
food stamps
free cell phone
subsidized education
free child care
FREE MEDICAL (which includes screening!)
so glad to be able to give to them again and not worry about where the funding is going. good for you Susan B Komen!
Apparently, the Susan G. Komen Foundation wants poor women to die of breast cancer. That's how I'm reading this. First they try to shut down other charities for using the color pink or the word "cure", now they hate poor women. They will NEVER see a dime of my money.
Many of you say you're stopping donations to Komen to pressure them into supporting Planned Parenthood. Why don't we put the pressure on Planned Parenthood to stop offering abortions funded by our tax dollars? PP may have other valuable services for the uninsured, but I don't favor my taxes supporting abortions. According to the Bible, killing is wrong. Politicians on both sides have used this issue to gain votes. While I know abortion is wrong, it is a moral and personal decision. I had one 25 years ago, before I became a Christian and have had to live with many consequences because of it. Of course it brings me great shame when I am reminded, but I know God's grace and forgiveness is real if we just ask for it and I'm so thankful for it. I don't judge anyone for their personal decisions (I have my own faults to worry about). The Bible says 'What you sow, so shall you reap' ... Well I'm convinced that my endometriosis and inability to have children was part of my 'reaping' - and I'm at peace with that because God's love is endless. I'm trying to live a better life before God and that's what everyone should do. Let's just be honest, PP started with their primary mission to provide abortions - they have added other services over the years in order to gain more acceptance in society, so they can continue getting funds. I would support PP in a minute if they stopped providing abortions.
Just as I thought, many of these foundations, if not all, tied to politics and/or big Pharm. Wont support Komen any more. Let rich white men that run the government support Komen.
Let me get this straight, because the Susan G. Komen foundation is anti-abortion or at least on the fence about it, they withdraw support from an organization that is renowned for providing abortion options...and people are upset why?
It's pretty simple, if you want to have an abortion, pay for it yourself! Everyone needs to look at the statistics and realize abortion is just a form of birth control and happens primarily because of irresponsible behavior. Rape & incest is less than 1% As an American, I don't want my tax dollars paying for abortion in the U.S. and overseas, which the U.S. helps to provide. Breast exams? What a joke! Planned Parenthood makes all it's money from abortions, not women's health. Planned Parenthood is just another big business, look at where they are located, low income areas. How come you won't find a Planned Parenthood in Beverly Hills or Greenwich, Ct? because they prey on the poor and weak to make their money.
When I was young and newly out of college I didn't have a job yet and needed my yearly GYN exam and Planned Parenthood did that for me for FREE. I have been giving back to them ever since I got that first job not that long afterward. I will give a bit extra this year. Shame on the Komen group's decision. if they want to help low income women get breast exams this is the exact opposite way to do it.
I've heard for a while the Komen was really in the pocket of for-profit folks. I turned a blind eye because the do seem to do a lot of good. However, I cannot support them if they do not support women...poor women on top of that.
Of all the services Planned Parenthood provides, abortion accounts for about 3%. Most clinics don't even provide abortion. All clinics, however, provide health screenings and prevention services on a sliding scale. And money donation for prevention services can't be used to fund abortion.
So, all Komen and anti-choicers have done is take cancer prevention services away from poor women. How "pro-life".
Hats off to the Komen Foundation. Additional donations are heading their way in appreciation of this decision.
They won't get another cent from me.
GREAT NEWS! PP is the biggest abortion provider in the country, they are solely responsible for the deaths of millions of unborn children; they are in the business of abortion NOT serving the poor – this is their greatest revenue stream. So happy that Komen finally woke up – their mission is to stand with women to research and fight breast cancer -there is a directly link between abortion AND breast cancer in addition to other reproductive cancers. Thank you KOMEN for your support of WOMEN AND LIFE!!
It's a shame it's become so politicized. PP also provides basic medical care for underprivileged women. The services are vital in many communities. In fact, when I was a starving student, I too received low cost and sometimes free regular examinations. I'm grateful for this.