Komen and Planned Parenthood

1246718

Comments

  • Enjoyful
    Enjoyful Member Posts: 3,591
    edited February 2012

    Well said, dh!

    And I'm very sorry for your loss.  

  • denisa
    denisa Member Posts: 160
    edited January 2022
    as an old-timer here, i was curious to come back to read what women are saying about this outrage.

    if you go to the SGK website you can see who Komen's corporate sponsors are. it wouldn't hurt to let their sponsers know how we feel.  some of them include Coldwater Creek, Yoplait Yogurt, American Airlines, Boston Proper, Bank of America, Boar's Head, Crayola (!!!), Dell, Guess, Ford, Energizer, Lowes, The NBC Today Show, New Balance, Old Navy, Pandora Jewelry, Pottery Barn, Pepperidge Farm..... the list goes on.

    Let them know how we feel about this at an even higher level......

    http://ww5.komen.org/CorporatePartners.aspx

  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited February 2012

    Clairification needed here. This whole issue has NOTHING to do with abortion. That is a decoy for the real deeper issue of political expediency. If PP were "under investigation" in the House because it used Toyotas instead of Fords or because it had 50 exam rooms instead of 49 Komen would still have decided to stop funding breast care. The point is that the nation's largest and riches BC organization has decided to go political. I frankly don't give a whit about the abortion debate right now. It's not REALLY at issue - the abandonment of its core mission is IMO. As Scoot correctly notes Komen is refusing to fund breast care (NOT ABORTIONS). This tells me it should stop pretending to be a health advocacy organization when it is a political one. No matter where you stand on the abortion issue I wouldn't waste a nanosecond of my time debating it right here. Komen doesn't care. They only like power and they are bullies. Time to dfund them if your interest is really BC. Forgive the lack of commas - on cell phone.

  • shokk
    shokk Member Posts: 1,763
    edited February 2012

    My interest has always been about finding a cure for breast cancer which is why I have never supported Komen.........

    which is why I have never understand why Komen donate to PP..........PP has nothing to do with finding a cure for breast cancer....... they do family planning........hence the name Planned Parenthood.......

    shokk

  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited February 2012

    shokk ... you can be incredibly dense when you want to be Wink

  • covertanjou
    covertanjou Member Posts: 569
    edited February 2012

    PP allows poor and low-income women get mammograms. Isn't that helping women?  Sticking to the fact that PP has "nothing to do with finding a cure for bc" is disingenuous.  

  • LeesaAnn
    LeesaAnn Member Posts: 222
    edited February 2012

    This outrages me! I will NEVER give a dime to Komen ever again. Planned Parenthood is where I went for my breast exam that lead to my bc diagnosis. This is so awful.

    I recently learned that a whopping 80% of money given to Komen goes to bc awareness. Who ISN"T aware of bc? Only 20% goes to research. Those numbers should be reversed.

    This is such a set back for breast cancer intervention. Shame on Komen. Shame, shame, shame.

    Komen states that they have done this because they have a policy against supporting organizations under feberal investigation. I am sick to learn republican effort is behind this. When will they ever learn that you can't not legistate morals, and decisions based on personal and religious beliefs. Whether you supoprt a womans choice or not, it's not the role of government to play any role in making that choice. I am FURIOUS!

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,498
    edited February 2012

    Well said Athena, but I do think the abortion issue has a place in this discussion only because the VP Komen hired is a political creature who is staunchly opposed to choice, to stem cell research and has deep ties to the far right, including Stearns, who somehow came up with the bogus bill "investigating" PP, releasing Komen from its obligation.  They must think we're idiots.

    I agree that it is political positioning.  Now, since Komen is looking harder for power than they are for a cure, who wants to make suggestions for research driven organizations we can help support? 

  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited February 2012

    Thanks to Denisa and lago for the useful links. C'mon shokk....pp offers breast care and that is what Komen was helping with. Komen purports to fund both research AND healthcare of the breast.

  • LVLinda
    LVLinda Member Posts: 93
    edited February 2012

    When I heard the news today, I was hurt and angry at the same time.  Whenever an organization becomes infiltrated with politics or religion, it goes to hell.  Breast cancer shows no political affiliation, or religious beliefs.  Why should a non-profit for BC start showing their political/religious beliefs?  Because they have now caved to the pressure of those who are against women's rights.  The showed their a**, now they can kiss my a**. 

  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited February 2012

    Is Avon any better?  I ask because tonight as I see money stream out of Komen to Planned Parenthood--which I totally support--it occurs to me that no PP money will go to cancer research.  How can we tell people that want to leave Komen to keep supporting breast cancer research?

  • CrazyKitties
    CrazyKitties Member Posts: 180
    edited February 2012

    Please do not throw around fake stats to further your cause---birth control for women is as important of a health issue as anything. It is not healthier to have multiple births due to lack of birth control as it is to use the pill. All of those scenarios have risk. Planned Parenthood is a health resource for uninsured, low income women, including your very own college aged daughters. SHAME on Susan Komen foundation!!!! I will not be fooled again.

  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 2,017
    edited February 2012

    I am trying to understand all this.  I am pro-life for me! In fact I have no idea when life begins, so I allow others to grapple with their own god on that issue.  I would never stand up and say I know the truth on when life begins.  Given that, I am pro-choice.  It is between a mother, a father and their god what is right.  I simply would never think to interfere with that personal connection between parent and a higher being (if such a connection even exists).

    I listened to the news tonight and although the news is not the truest source on what really is the truth, it sure stinks of politics.  I personally cannot put more money into Komen based on what is happening. Even though I am pro-life for me ( way past the reproductive years), I will support Planned Parenthood.

    To be brutally honest, if one of my daughters opted for an abortion, knowing I could not  do the same for myself, l would allow her that choice.  It is her choice.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2012

    Lago.. Avon and Komen are NOT linked in any way...

    Profbee... Yes, I do think Avon is 100% better... After the NYC walk in October Avon issued the checks PUBLICLY to the organizations receiving the money... 

    Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

    The Avon Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is not affiliated in any way with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event series is a project of the Avon Foundation and has no connection to any Susan G. Komen event. We work hard to ensure that everyone has access to the breast cancer screening and care they need to have the best chance of survival. We are proud that globally Avon philanthropy has donated more than $740 million to breast cancer research and access to care programs in the 20 years since Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade was launched.

  • gardengumby
    gardengumby Member Posts: 7,305
    edited February 2012

    I signed - and sent it along to some friends.

  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 947
    edited February 2012

    denisa - so happy for the link.  I will go there and tell them thank you.  Never understood why Komen who fights for the lives of women and men who have breast cancer would link with an organization who fight for the death of many human beings.

    Pax et bonum!

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,498
    edited February 2012

    Chicago Tribune, 9/2010:

    "The American Institute of Philanthropy grades charities to inform donors where their money will be used most efficiently. The highest grades are awarded to those charities that spend most of their profits on their mission and not on fundraising itself. Top breast cancer charities include: Breast Cancer ResearchFoundation (A+), National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (A), Breast Cancer Fund (A-) "

    The Tribune warns that bogus charities with very similar names have been springing up, and that donors should be cautious.  Komen did not get an A.  

    In a separate article discussion centered around Avon's refusal to remove cancer-linked parabens and phthalates from their products.  I have not run across any percentages on their giving yet...anyone?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited February 2012

    Just an FYI. On the Susan G. Komen 3-day facebook page it claims this is not a political move:

    "To our Susan G. Komen 3-Day friends and family. Let's set the record straight.

    At Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the women we serve are our highest priority in everything we do. Last year, with your help we invested $93 million in community health programs, which included 700,000 mammograms. In order to best meet the needs of the women we serve and most fully advance our mission, we must strengthen our already robust grants program to be even more outcomes-driven. That's why at the beginning of this year we implemented more stringent eligibility and performance criteria to ensure our funds are used for the greatest need, which unfortunately may affect some long-time grantees of Komen.

    Grant making decisions are not about politics--our priority is and always will be the women we serve. Making this issue political or leveraging it for fundraising purposes would be a disservice to all women. It is critical to underscore that the women we serve in communities remain our top priority. We are working very closely with Komen Affiliates to ensure there is no interruption or gaps in services for women who need breast health screening and services."

    I'm not buying it. This sounds like CYA to me

    source: https://www.facebook.com/the3day/posts/10151225143075392

  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited February 2012

    I agree with you Lago, and thanks for posting the link.  I signed as well.  It will be a cold day in hell before I ever support Komen again!

  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited February 2012

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq0kBkUZbvQ

    It seems mammograms aren't provided at PP clinics, but only breast exams.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2012

    dhmeiser - your numbers are from 2008, their research dollars fell to 24% in 2010!

  • SunnyCoconut
    SunnyCoconut Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2012

    I am grateful that Planned Parenthood exists.  They were my only medical care long ago.  I am also grateful that Susan G. Komen does increase awareness and get people involved and donating.  Some of my friends think all breast cancer walks are part of Susan G Komen.  They don't really know or care, but they happily do all the walks and raise money too.  I appreciate both organizations.

    The statements that birth control contributes to breast cancer and that makes PP inappropriate, are kind of rediculous because PP offers many other services.  My oncology center deals with many different blood diseases too.  Should I determine that these other services are inappropriate and discontinue going/paying there?

    Yuk! 

  • corgi09
    corgi09 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2012

    I read that and all I see is them defining who they want to serve.  If they want to say its not political they shouldn't hire politicians.

  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited February 2012

    corgi - perfectly stated.  They hired a politician and now are trying to say the decision is not political. 

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2012

    I've written off Komen.

  • Mollydog
    Mollydog Member Posts: 93
    edited February 2012

    Please forgive my language, but fuck them.  I am so furious, I don't know what to do.  Apparently, Karen Handel, a Senior VP in Public Policy is behind all this.  She is relatively new to the organization.  She has shared the stage with Sarah Palin and campaigned against abortion.  I am so sorry for the foul language, but...

  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited February 2012

    You go Mollydog!

    This is exactly how I feel. 

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited February 2012

    "Planned Parenthood Raises $400,000 in 24 Hours"

    http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/abortion/208067-planned-parenthood-raises-400000-in-24-hours

    In another 24 hours the funding withdrawn by Komen should be recouped!

  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited February 2012

    Jap, Marie, Cimo, and Shokk, I too am pro-life. However, I know that a tiny minority of PP's activities are abortion-related and that most of what they do is provide a variety of health care services to low-income, mostly young, women. And I support that wholeheartedly.

    I believe abortion is wrong, but PP isn't causing abortions. What causes abortions is unplanned pregnancies due to 1) lack of safe, inexpensive, reliable birth control for women AND men; and 2) lack of sex education. Abortions will never be eliminated, but they could be greatly reduced if these two problems were truly addressed.

    In my experience, PP does a lot more to prevent pregnancies, by providing access to birth control, than it does to terminate them. That, to me, is an enormous step in the right direction.

    If PP went away, the abortion rate would certainly go up -- not down. And that's why I, a pro-lifer, support PP.

  • Octobergirl
    Octobergirl Member Posts: 334
    edited February 2012

    A few minutes ago, I posted a "shame on you" comment on the Komen FB 3 Days Wall. We'll see how long it stays up. Worth it if just one person reads it!

Categories