Mommy Life

January 31, 2012 6:29 PM

Planned Parenthood responds to Komen defunding

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 Federation of America today. Dear Barbara, I wanted to share some extremely discouraging news from a partner and longtime ally for women's health. 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. 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 protect and promote women's health wherever it is needed. 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. The women, men, and teens who rely on Planned Parenthood 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 and everyone who relies on us. It means the world to us, truly. Sincerely, Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Love,

Posted in Planned Parenthood | Permalink

Comments

This made my day. :)

Posted by: Jennifer | January 31, 2012 8:18 PM

Wait! When did PP start breast cancer screenings?

So glad the funding is halted.

Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | January 31, 2012 9:23 PM

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

And exactly how much money does it take to pay for a "clinical breast exam" or a "mammogram referral" for someone who is there anyway? Hunh? Am I missing something here?

Posted by: Kimberly | January 31, 2012 10:18 PM

Kimberly, I am so sorry to inform you that the myth of Planned Parenthood - which makes millions off abortions - offering mammograms is indeed just that, a myth: http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/18/komen-admits-planned-parenthood-grants-dont-get-women-mammograms/

Planned Parenthood has one raison d'etre: to make profits from abortion. The rest is just window dressing.

Posted by: Barbara | January 31, 2012 10:29 PM

Thanks for sharing the good news. It seems like there's not enough of it nowadays.

Posted by: Alyssa | February 1, 2012 6:33 AM

Anybody else somewhat dubious of the stated reasons for Komen's decision? Really . . . an investigation? I'm concerned they might reverse course if the investigation turns up "nothing." I would have wished for a more forthright statement about the impact their decision to donate to PP was having on their own donations from concerned potential contributors. I'm hoping there is some continuing dialogue between those who have encouraged SGK to cease funding PP and SGK to reinforce their most appropriate decision. I also hope those of us who have been withholding donations from SGK will now start or resume donating to offset the blowback from the liberals. They are en masse threatening to withhold their own contributions now.

All in all, this is excellent news. A very positive step in the right direction, and despite SGK's stated reasoning, it's evidence that our Pro Life voices are being heard!

Posted by: Maggie | February 1, 2012 9:02 AM

I agree with Jennifer - this made my day. :)

Posted by: Jenn | February 1, 2012 9:17 AM

Plan to send Komen a donation and tell them why!

Posted by: Allison | February 1, 2012 1:37 PM

Bad news: they rescinded their position and are back to donating to PP.

Posted by: Alyssa | February 3, 2012 9:08 PM

Kimberly, I am so sorry to inform you that the myth of Planned Parenthood - which makes millions off abortions - offering mammograms is indeed just that, a myth: http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/18/komen-admits-planned-parenthood-grants-dont-get-women-mammograms/

Planned Parenthood has one raison d'etre: to make profits from abortion. The rest is just window dressing.

I know . . . and they even admitted it in the fund-raising letter they sent you by saying "mammogram referrals". My point was (that I didn't say very clearly!) that these things are FREE, as in it's ridiculous on Planned Parenthood's part to insinuate that without funds, somehow they couldn't refer out for a mammogram? I can sit on the sidewalk and refer women for mammograms all day, doesn't cost me anything :-). The wailing and gnashing of teeth has been mind-boggling.

Posted by: Kimberly | February 4, 2012 1:37 AM

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