Jan 31, 2012 08:39 PM, edited Jan 31, 2012 08:48 PM
by 1Athena1
Komen claims that it cut off support because Planned Parenthood was under investigation by Congress. Here is an AP report just out tonight:
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.
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.
The rupture, which has not been publicly announced as it unfolded, is
wrenching for some of those who've learned about it and admire both
organizations.
"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.
"It sounds almost trite, going through this with Betsi, but cancer doesn't
care if you're pro-choice, anti-choice, progressive, conservative," Hurd said.
"Victims of cancer could care less about people's politics."
Planned Parenthood said the Komen grants totaled roughly $680,000 last year
and $580,000 the year before, going to at least 19 of its affiliates for
breast-cancer screening and other breast-health services.
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.
More: www.washingtonpost.com/nationa...
THANK YOU Dansmom for letting us know.
Diagnosis: 3/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 3/8 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-