Susan G. Komen for the Cure has contributed much in the fight against breast and cervical cancer, but the organization’s recent decision to pull its funding of Planned Parenthood has drawn critical fire. Susan G. Komen CEO Nancy Brinker insists that the media’s portrayal of events has been “a gross mischaracterization.”
Three of 19 clinics will still receive money
According to Brinker, 16 of the 19 Planned Parenthood clinics to which Susan G. Komen for the Cure contributed monetary support will be defunded. The remaining three clinics will continue to receive funding “because they are the only services available to low-income women in their communities,” Brinker said. The other 16 clinics will continue to receive funding through the end of 2012 without interruption, then will be cut off.
The privilege of exception
One of the privileged few Planned Parenthood clinics that will continue to receive funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the Denver chapter, reports USA Today. It has been granted an “exception” that will last from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013, at which time the viability of funding will be discussed again by Susan G. Komen personnel.
Continued funding of the Denver Planned Parenthood clinic served as blue public relations skies amidst the recent storm. Colorado recently made severe cuts to the state budget for breast and cervical cancer screening, according to a statement released by the Denver chapter of Planned Parenthood.
“The community is looking to Komen Denver Affiliate to provide the services the state can no longer fund,” the statement reads.
Unrest in Connecticut
Via Facebook, a representative of Susan G. Komen’s Connecticut affiliate expressed concern that any investigation of redirected funds be resolved quickly. Critics hope that investigation will lead to a quick resolution of the problem of Susan G. Komen withholding money that was once given without reservation.
“We understand, and share, in the frustration around this situation. We hope that any investigation prohibiting Planned Parenthood from receiving Komen grants is promptly resolved,” noted the statement.
Brinker accentuates the positive
In the face of intensely angry public response, particularly from groups that support women’s health and reproductive rights, Brinker told reporters that donations to Komen have doubled over the past two days, yet did not characterize exactly where the large influx of money was coming from.
“We haven’t defunded Planned Parenthood,” she said. “We still have three grants that we’ve committed to, at least through another year until the end of the grant cycle.”
Komen CEO Nancy Brinker attempts to defend defunding decision
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