Texas race will show how deeply Planned Parenthood controversy affected Komen's grassroots base
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comTest for Komen looms at next Race for the Cure
Seeded on Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:43 PM EST (msnbc.com)
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This has always been one of my favorite events but not on a bet would I participate and raise money for them now. Clean house. Prove to me that you give a d*** about women's heath and not a right wing political assault on women's rights and we'll talk. Until then - BOYCOTT.
Nancy,
Are you under the assumption that Planned Parenthood is the only Woman's health organization? Komen foundation wasn't reducing overall funding, just redirecting it in light of the politics and investigations into PP. The only lack in breast cancer research will be Liberals like yourself who would reduce funding due to their favorite political organization being cut off. The money is still going to research, just not to PP. Why is this such a turn off? PP is a very political organization. They are not the only screening companies out there by a long shot. Who cares who Komen chooses to donate to. PP is a multi-million dollar group which is very politically active. You choose to hold funds on breast cancer research because PP isn't funded?!? That is selfish.
PP is under constant investigation, just today this story was released:
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/abortion/209203-anti-abortion-rights-groups-give-house-gop-more-ammo-to-attack-planned-parenthood
So it's actually liberals that are hurting the search for breast cancer simply because Komen Foundation decided to redirect their money to non-partisan groups. Do you not see the irony?
The only reason Planned Parenthood is under constant investigation is because these investigations are political hack jobs and nothing is ever found. But, since you can't teach an old teabagger anything they keep on pretending that if they just make up enough lies they can do to Planned Parenthood what they did to ACORN.
Komen should have kept the politics out of their organization. I will still give, just not to Komen, at least for now. There are plenty of other ways to support breast cancer research besides Komen. They brought their organization under the microscope and many of us don't like what we see. It's up to them to make it better, and it has not been done yet. I'll give to other organizations for now.
As for your diatribe against PP, you obviously don't know anything about the organization. I won't defend it to you because it wouldn't change your mind, but many of us women have personal experience with PP, and it wasn't about abortion. When we hear the smears against it, we choose to go with personal experience instead of bs. And there are A LOT of us.
I'll be at every Komen event I can attend.
And I'll be passing out literature for Planned Parenthood and letting people know just how much of their money goes into Komens pockets!
I also wonder how much money goes to lawyers -- they seem to sue anyone who they even THINK might be using the word "cure".
Jesse-Az,
People respect Planned Parenthood because they put women's health first, despite extreme pressure, and despite politics. It's misleading to say that we should be immediately skeptical of PP because it's under constant investigation in light of very charged politics. See the conflict of interest? I have yet to see any investigation reveal that the major systemic abuses claimed of PP are real.
There are many other big charities that raise money working to prevent and cure breast cancer. It's misleading to imply that dollars that don't reach Komen translates into dollars that will never reach breast cancer research, etc.
Jesse-Az,
I could understand your concern about PP being under investigation by Congress if it were a legitimate investigation. Unfortunately, scratching slightly below this "investigation" will show the true motives of the representative - shut down PP at any cost. It's just partisan politics.
Would you stop supporting Komen if a Democrat in the House opened an investigation of them over the PP debacle? I highly doubt it.
Good post Noah,
it's a wonder since Christians are peace loving people that my wife and I have to slide our healthcard under bulletproof glass and be buzzed into the room beyond the steel door at planned parenthood.
Too bad more people don't listen to the words they sing in church.
I'm with Steve and Noah -- Komen will not get a cent from me. Planned Parenthood does great work and not just for women; they'll get my money.
I've never participated in one of their events but I've always donated to friends who have. Since this big "broohaa" with PP - I've done research on Komen and I do NOT like what I see. I will not be giving them anymore of my money. They spend $1million a year suing smaller charities trying to do good things for women in their local community. And what are they suing over - the word "CURE". That alone is enough for me to stop sending them my cash. SGK has just become another big business, lobbying for pharmaceutical companies, bullying the little guy and playing politics with their money (aka Planned Parenthood). I would highly recommend watching http://stylesubstancesoul.com/2012/02/its-time-to-re-think-pink/ - then decide if you still wish to participate or donate.
I donate to many other charities and do a lot of fundraising or volunteer work for many worthy events. They will continue to get my support - however this year I took off SGK and added Planned Parenthood. I already sent them a check.
Considering less than 25% of the money SGK raises in the search for "the cure" actually goes to search for said cure I think I can find more worthy charities.
this is what happens when republican policies hit the ground.
the 2008 elections had a record turnout. though in percentages it wasnt so. over 50% of americans did not vote then. those are the folks whose biggest concern is what kim k. is doing tonight, or who is going to live through the next round in american idol.
those people only react when its their asses on the line. when sopa comes along and threatens facebook, youtube, tumblr and so on, they get off their cozy tv chair and do something. when women's rights come under partisan political attack by a seemingly meritorious organization, they get off their cozy tv chair and do something.
but they are more than happy to pay zero attention to everything else republicans are doing on a day to day basis.
start paying attention, and you will find that both sides dont do it actually.
No more support from me. There are other organization holding the line as Koman and they need our help even more. And since Brinker receives a salary of $500K plus, she should give now. No support from me.
I know that Avon has similar goals as Komen once did. I think I'll check them out first.
We'll support walks for Heart Health and the SPCA's Doggie Dash. I don't trust Komen's right wing agenda. Planned Parenthood gets my donation instead.
My wife is a breast cancer survivior, and we were big Komen supporters. But after showing its true colors and their disdain for women, we will never give them another dime. It's not just Planned Parenthood, it's defunding stem cell research, it's suing other non-profits for bogus reasons, and it's Brinker's $500K salary. Our money can be better used almost anywhere else.
How is their disdain for woman? PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS NOT THE ONLY WOMAN'S HEALTH GROUP.
Komen was never reducing funding, just redirecting it. Seriously, the irony of this subject is so massive. Liberals are reducing funding to breast cancer research due to their pet foundations not being funded. The irony is palpable.
Jesse, keep up the spin. Someone will believe your garbage some day.
SGKF is far from the only women's health organization. And it won't be long until they aren't the largest one any longer.
This was purely partisan and totally wrong on the part of Komen to "redirect" funding to Christian Sharia approved charities only. Now that they have shown who they are my money goes to real charities, not to right wing political foundations pretending to be charities. And no, I won't give to left wing political foundations either. But you aren't the one to decide who they are, reality is.
When an organization spends as much money on administrative costs that SGK does for it's executive board, that is money that is not going to fund anything but the lifestyles of board members.
$500,000 plus first class airfare and all the other benefits being given in a very down turned economy is really out of touch with the people who needs the services of PP.
I would rather give my money to an organization that really helps women with their health care than give it to a group who think money grows on trees.
Irony? The irony is a group of women withholding grants from an organization that is helping women with medical care. Irony indeed.
Everyone should skip the middle-man when giving to charities. Give your money directly to the charity doing the work - why pay the corporate costs of the United Way, and Komen?
Nope, sorry. I'm done. No more pink ribbons for me. They can't even keep a leash on a rogue conservative nut job within their ranks, and then we hear it is $500K pa, and first class all the way? Really? Good luck with that.
She wasn't rogue. She was specifically chosen to do exactly what she did. Read up on Komen's leadership. They are all heavy GOP donators using money they got from us to help with women's health issues. Talk about sick irony, money intended to help women's health issues being given to the party of Burkas for Christians.
I am a cancer survivor who will never support this organization again until they sever their ties completely with Planned Parenthood. It's that simple.
I'll put an extra $2 in my next donation to Planned Parenthood to make up the difference.
You do realize that SGKF thought that people like you would make up the difference, but quickly noticed that they got about $1 for every $10 that went to PP after this move?
You religiously obsessed trailer court trash may vote en mass, but you don't have a spare dime between a thousand of you so you have no economic clout.
Well, there are millions of us who won't support Komen BECAUSE of what they tried to do with PP. It's that simple. I'll add a few extra bucks to make up the difference too, daryl. See shaunh, you just helped PP get MORE money.
They politicized themselves off of my charity list. Planned Parenthood will take care of the less fortunate regardless so they get my meager donations.
Anyone want to buy some pink crap? NHRA, NFL.
I no longer trust them. They knew what Karen Handel was all about when they brought her on board. We should all find other places to support, specifically PP. Komen will never be the same after this debacle. They will always be a polarizing institution.
Since 1982, there has been billions of dollars in donations made to Susan G. Komen and I have yet to hear of any breast cancer breakthroughs to find a cure while many have died waiting in the last 30 years. All of my future donations will be made to the American Cancer Society !
Tamoxifen was discovered in 1966, and had first clinical trials for breast cancer in 1971.
That is wonderful - but my point is what has the Komen foundation specifically done will all the donation money to FIND A CURE?
I agree they can no longer be trusted. Just look at the tentative wording in the letters they sent out state by state: "Planned Parenthood will now be able to apply for grants just like any other organization." This after they've stated a new criterion is "must provide direct services"---that is, an agency like Planned Parenthood can't source out any of its workload. They have no intention of doing anything but what brought on the firestorm.
This present group will get no support from me. Plenty of other worthwhile, transparent charities and community groups are in need of our support.
The Komen Foundation is starting a long downward spiral into oblivion. Almost everyone I know is no longer going to support them and plans on donating elsewhere like Planned Parenthood, American Cancer Society etc. NO MORE PINK!
My local radio station is running ads for our race, and I just immediately change the station. Can't even listen to them. This organization showed its true colors last month. I will not support them ever again, they are clearly against women. Very weird, but they absolutely are.
It is so amazing to me how the focus has been redirected from funding for Breast Cancer Research. I am a 3x BC thriver and have never supported Susan G Komen for the shear fact that they commercialized Breast Cancer! Komen took a color from Este' Lauder who stole the ribbon concept from a wonderful woman who wanted to just do something nice in a coral color and they threw it in the face of the entire world! I for one can say....THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING PRETTY AND COMMERCIAL ABOUT BREAST CANCER!!! I for one own nothing PINK every time I see that color I cringe. All it does is remind me that someone is making money off my illness! The audacity of Komen to litigate anyone who uses the phrase "for the Cure". They are just stomping once again all over women, men and children who are trying to do a good thing. I will continue supporting Susan Love and The Army of Women. They look for people to fit clinical trials whether or not you have BC or not. American Cancer Society...SPCA (it helps when the pain and the depression becomes overwhelming)....National Breast Cancer Foundation... Breast Cancer.org...there are so many.
Please get off the Planned Parenthood focus and put your focus on how you or your money can help END CANCER!
The focus of Komen was supposedly on BREAST CANCER. Their funding to PP was to pay for mammograms for women who couldn't afford them otherwise. Not abortions. MAMMOGRAMS! Our monies given to Komen was to help fight breast cancer. For Komen to withdraw their funding and refuse financial aid that paid for many mammograms because PP offers other services is a real slap in the face to women of limited means who depend on PP to get the mammograms that may detect a cancer at an early stage and save their lives! Many of these women have nowhere else to go!!! So, because they are poor, they don't count anymore? Because they depend on PP for help, their breasts can just fill with cancer?
Komen will NEVER get another penny from me. I'll give ALL of the money I'd have sent their way directly to Planned Parenthood, earmarked to them as a donation toward mammograms for one of my unknown sisters somewhere!
Again, what a crock. In 2010 only 20.9% of Komen's revenue went for cancer research.
I ask again, the Susan G. Komen foundation has received BILLIONS of dollars in donations since 1982 - so where is "the cure"?
Have you ever wondered why they focus their research on a cure as opposed to the cause? Because big corps can make money on a cure (drugs, treatment) but wouldn't make a dime if they found the cause! When KFC (fried fatty food) can sell you a pink bucket of chicken for the CURE - it's time to question the pink :)
I will never give them another penny!
Komen overturned their own rock and now are shocked when the light of day showed supporters such as myself just how much money really went to research and how much money went to the bloated salaries of their administrators and to "administration" costs. I initially boycotted them because their unfunding of Planned Parenthood. But even with their reversal, they opened up a Pandora's box that will never close for me. Never.
I am severing 17 years of support for SGK...either volunteering or walking in Race for the Cure.
This is much more than SGK pulling a small amount of money (in the grand scheme of things) from Planned Parenthood. SGK has shown that they will put politics over the health of women and over their publicly stated mission (because obviously the carefully planned hiring of Karen Handel shows that they have a private mission they aren't sharing with us) of CURING cancer!
Just because they "reversed" their decision and Karen Handel resigned, doesn't mean that their private mission has changed or that they won't continue to put politics over their public mission of finding a cure for breast cancer.
2012 marks 20 years since my mother lost her 10 year battle with breast cancer. I have been planning for a number of years now to honor her by walking in the SGK 3 Day. I had just signed up when the first reports started appearing about the PP decision and as the week went by...and as more information came to light, I felt confident that I couldn't ethically support this organization.
I contacted the 3 Day organization and asked for my registration to be cancelled (which they very graciously honored) and now have plans to participate in Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer instead.
Not only do I have ethical issues supporting SGK for myself, but the 3 Day requires a $2,300 fundraising commitment and I couldn't bring myself to ask my friends to choose between supporting me or THEIR ethical issues with SGK.
I will still continue to fight for a cure, it just won't be with SGK....and I know that there are many others like me that are long time supporters that also have walked away to lend their support, and funds, elsewhere.
How much running will be to raise money pay the lawyers, PR experts, media consultants, spin doctors, and allocated staff salary and benefits, overhead, and expenses to try to Cure the Foundation, rather than to cure cancer?
What is the real story behind the $133,000+ including first-class air tickets for Nancy Brinker?
Why did they lie about Planned Parenthood--and what's the game plan for using race funds to restore trust?
I think fundraisers do a lot of good by both raising awareness and funds. I stumbled across the biiliondollarcause fundraiser online and though that they have a really unique way for both the donors and the charities to benefit from raising funds for charities!!! google it sometime hehe :)
Jesse - Define IRONY with out looking it up.
Elsewhere, Brinker's $500K salary has to go. There is NO reason this woman should be making half a million off the backs of donations.
https://factreal.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/black-babies-targeted-by-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinics-statistics-non-graphic-video/
Races like the ones referenced in this article, ones for which participant registered and started raising money for well before this controversy, will not be a true test of the impact this controversy has had on this organization. People register and start fundraising many months before these races so the races that will show the actual impact of the controversy wil be the ones that opened registration within the past month or so and for which people are just starting to train and collect donations
SGK showed their true color when they lied. Karen Handel has actually come out and admitted <a href:"">Brinker lied about her involvement in the decision and also made it clear that others within the upper echelons of this organization want to use the organization to match their political views regarding abortion </A> which is something completely unrelated to the organization's stated mission.
SGK's argument that they defunded PP due to ongoing investigation into the organization is BS. PP is under politically motivated investigation in congress and various state legislatures (the states that have investigated them have made it abundantly clear these are political anti-choice witch hunts) and yet SGK continues to fund organizations under criminal investigation as are some of their corporate donors. It doesn't stop there, SGK also continues to fund institutions that are under investigation for unethical research practicessuch as HIPAA violations and significant conflicts of interest.
This is in addition to knowingly spreading misinformation in reporting the willful misinterpretation of data to claim abortion may be a cause of breast cancer (the data does not support this claim), defunding of breast cancer research projects solely because the institution at which they are performed have other projects that involve use of stem cells, giving the upper echelon outrageously high salaries while only using 20% of their huge financial arsenal to fund research, is why I will never again donate or otherwise knowingly support this organization.
We should hook up a generator to the body of Susan G. Komen in her grave. I'll bet she's turned over so many times that she could power a small city. SGKF is using her name to pay big corporate salaries; using her illness as a political venture; passing out very carcinogenic (you should see what's listed in their content) pink ribbons in her memory; paying lawyers out of funds raised to research a cancer cure to sue others for looking for "the cure;" and on and on. Poor Susan, you died too young; but your memory will be forever stained by the foundation that is you name sake.
I'm so proud of the American's that realize what Planned Parenthood's mission is! It's up to us to educate the others, which won't be easy or fun.
Pro-life doesn't have to be Anti-Choice, yet that's what it's turned into. Many of us that are Pro-Choice wouldn't choose abortion, yet that's what it has turned into.
SGKomen shot themselves in the foot, and I doubt they will recover. Manufacturers aren't going to be happy getting stuck with PINK merchandise that they probably paid a licensing fee to produce and market.