sarahlee310:

This really sucks.

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.

The change will mean a cutoff of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, mainly for breast exams.

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.

Don’t believe it? Here’s the campaign by one such group in Wyoming. This is their explanation:

While the local Susan G. Komen of Wyoming affiliate reportedly does not partner with Planned Parenthood, 25% of the funds raised by Komen’s Wyoming affiliate at CFD are sent to the national organization. And the national organization has allowed Komen affiliates in other states to give money to Planned Parenthood, ostensibly for purposes related to breast cancer. If a Komen affiliate donates to Planned Parenthood for breast health programs, however, this frees up Planned Parenthood’s unrestricted funds so that they can pay for abortion-related services. So, while a person’s money may not directly pay for abortions here in Wyoming, there is still scandal involved because he or she is at some level enabling abortion elsewhere.

This is serious bullshit. I donated to Planned Parenthood here. Their new VP of Public Policy, Karen Handel, vowed to end funding at Planned Parenthood when she ran for governor of Georgia. I suppose this is the next best thing. If you donate, ask the thank you card be sent here:

Karen Handel, Senior Vice President of Public Policy 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance 
901 E Street N.W., Suite 410 Washington, DC 20004

Or send her an email at khandel@komenadvocacy.org

On Planned Parenthood’s site, they have stories of women whose lives were saved by early detection at Planned Parenthood. Here’s one story:

“I almost ignored the lump. How serious could it have been? I was 27 and had no family history of any kind of cancer. Then I remembered Planned Parenthood… Since I had no income at all, and dwindling savings, this was a great option for me. I didn’t have to decide between breast care and rent… There is no doubt in my mind that Planned Parenthood saved my life.” – Colleen L., Loudonville, NY

But as far as Susan G. Komen is concerned, women like Colleen should find another way to pay for life-saving detection.