Susan G. Komen Blinks- Page 2

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 3:29pm

"...the foundation wishes breast cancer..."

Those are despicable, disgusting, insensitive and untrue words--the kind of unwarranted, hysterical accusation that completely destroys any credibility the letter writer might have had.

I really wish you had not re-posted it here.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 3:44pm

Hideous.

I wonder if people take the time to read and really think about what they're doing.

More likely, they're just hopping on some bandwagon.

No rational person with a brain or a heart could write the words included in that letter. And to share it and support it is hideous.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 4:03pm

Agreed.

Even if you argue that by this decision Komen abandoned those who may need their help the most, to say it wishes cancer on such folks is nonsensical.

[wexy]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 4:07pm

That was stupid..

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 4:21pm

Here's some more information on the so-called "investigation" into Planned Parenthood, which Representatives Henry Waxman and Diana DeGette called "an abuse of the oversight process" back in September. The article points out that Planned Parenthood is regularly audited by the Department of Health and Human Services and has been found to be in compliance with federal law.




Planned Parenthood Investigation Is An Abuse Of Government Resources, Democrats Charge

Updated On: 2/1/12 at 04:21 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 4:29pm

Yeah, that letter is idiotic. Does it really start "To Whom"?

PRS, in response to your post that there are other cancers that don't get nearly the attention that breast cancer does: that's absolutely true. But, the incredible job that breast cancer foundations have done to raise awareness and funds have benefitted cancer research in totality. Many other cancer research programs have received funding and important scientific insight as a result of the efforts of the strong work of breast cancer foundations.

We're in agreement there, Addy. :)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 4:35pm

There were similar concerns about funding for AIDS research. We've seen how that has benefited many other areas of research, fortunately.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 5:33pm

Local affiliates of the Kormen foundation are breaking from the national organization/asking for exceptions so that they can continue to work with PP.

So far, Denver and Conn have indicated that they will continue to support local PP agencies in terms of providing educations, exams and screening. The Denver group was granted an exception by the national organization. Connecticut has go so far as to withdraw support from the national organization.


Local Kormen Affiliates Support PP.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 5:51pm

romantico, You've crossed the line.

Your anger at everything seems to blind you.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 6:16pm

The VP at Susan Komen has caused a rift in the organization. Local affiliates are actually splitting off from the national organization. Here's the statement from the Connecticut Susan Komen affiliate:

===

The Connecticut affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure said in a statement on Wednesday that it "shares" people's frustration over the decision and that it will continue funding Planned Parenthood of New England.

"The decision regarding the funding of Planned Parenthood was made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Headquarters," the group posted on its Facebook wall. "Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut enjoys a great partnership with Planned Parenthood, and is currently funding Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. 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."

Komen has faced a massive social media backlash since announcing the decision, with angry people flocking to its message boards and Facebook wall to announce that they will no longer donate to the breast cancer charity.

Many commenters on Facebook have complained that Komen is scrubbing some of the more negative comments from its wall, but a spokesperson for Komen said the organization is only deleting the profane ones.

Updated On: 2/1/12 at 06:16 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 6:17pm

How the Susan G. Komen Foundation Lost Its Way

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 8:03pm

I worked at a non-profit that did cutting-edge prevention programming. When its executive director retired, the board replaced him with a guy who had a political alliance with, of all people, Mitt Romney. Suddenly, the agency withdrew its spearheading of initiatives that cared more about public health than politics, because they were things Gov. Romney opposed. This left a lot of smaller agencies in a lurch. It was a lonnnnng 18 months or so before that replacement was replaced, but during that dismal era, people in the community knew that the dedicated staff of the agency I worked at still cared about getting it right, even if the executive director was an obstructionist.

I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen with this woman at Komen, but I hope it happens in a shorter timeframe. Let her realize "it's not quite the right fit," and that "she's grateful for all she learned and was able to accomplish" while on the job, but that it is "now time to pursue new opportunities and spend more quality time with" her family knowing Komen is "in terrific hands."

Then we can all go back to enjoying our pink M&Ms.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:05pm

As my friends know, I am a strong advocate for Breast Cancer education, screening and research.

That being said, I live in relatively affluent county where there are many exceptional and internationally respected medical professionals. There are also some medical professionals who have spiffy offices and cater to the more "elite" members of the community. I visited many ob-gyn centers and met with dozens of doctors who were insensitive, impersonal and autocratic while providing mediocre service (and I did NOT use the word "care" here for a reason).

Anyway...I decided to go to Planned Parenthood instead of the chi-chi doctors offices, and it was the absolute smartest medical decision I have ever made. The CARE I receive is beyond commendable. I go to PP for everything I was going to the ob-gyn for, but I get better advice, personalized attention and...I don't have to make appointments 3 months in advance!

I have never had an abortion, never considered an abortion and have given birth to two children. (I am 100% pro-choice, BTW.) Planned Parenthood is about so much more than abortion and contraception. It really bothers me that an organization dedicated to helping women live healthier and fuller lives would turn its back on another dedicated to doing the same.

But I am optimistic and hope that it will will not be long before the Komen's Center "leadership" recognizes its short-sightedness and reverses this "policy."

[canmark]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:22pm

I've posted this on another thread, but it's actually more relevant here... I would recommend the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc., which opens in Canada this Friday, and is about the "business" and "marketing" side of breast cancer fundraising. It looks at organizations like Komen and questions their effectiveness.

http://www.nfb.ca/playlist/pink_ribbons_inc


Review in Variety: "Indignant and subversive, "Pink Ribbons, Inc." resoundingly pops the shiny pink balloon of the breast cancer movement/industry, debunking the "comfortable lies" and corporate double-talk that permeate the massive and thus-far-ineffectual campaign against a disease that claims nearly 60,000 lives each year in North America alone."

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117946099/

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:24pm

I've seen some of those critiques in other arenas and it makes the fact that they withdrew grant money from an organization that actually does the work even more sad.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:25pm

Politico, which is basically a right-of-center Huff Post, has this surprisingly critical article about the stupidity of the Komen decision:


Did Susan G. Komen turn itself into a lightning rod?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:28pm

"But in Washington, every decision is political ..."

Absolutely. And in life, pretty much, too.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:41pm

Here's Komen's Senior Vice President Karen Handel's enlightened stance on gay issues, from an interview during her unsuccessful campaign for governor or Georgia:

===

Q: Frequently, folks in the Legislature kind of threaten to — there are always rumblings in the Legislature that they may outlaw gay adoptions. You’re against gay adoption.

A: I am against gay adoption. But remember — I mean, if there is legislation on that, certainly I will follow that and look at it. But in the end, ultimately courts are going to be the ones to have to make the decision on that and it’s always in the best interests of the child. Do I think that gay parents is in the best interest of the child? No. But we do have our court system that deals with many and most of those issues.

Q: Would you favor outlawing gay adoptions?

A: Yeah, I would consider that, absolutely.

Q: Do you know any gay couples with children?

A: Not that I’m aware of.

Q: So you think gay couples are less qualified to function as parents than straight couples?

A: I think that for a child to be in a household — in a family in a household with a situation where the parents are not married, as in one man and one woman, is not the best household for a child.

Q: Is it better or worse than a single parent household?

A: Doug, I’m really trying to be straightforward with you but I’m not going to debate all the nuances. I’ve made it abundantly clear that I think that marriage is between a man and a woman. And that’s what I believe, and I don’t know what more you would like me to add to that.

Q: I guess I want to know why you think gay parents aren’t as legitimate as heterosexual parents.

A: Because I don’t.


Georgia GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Karen Handel: Gays are Not Legitimate Parents

Updated On: 2/1/12 at 10:41 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 10:54pm

"Because I don't"...you can't get any more STRAIGHTforward than that!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:21pm

While she was at it, Karen Handel also ended Susan B. Komen's funding for embryonic stem cell research.

The politicizing of breast cancer. Shameful. The Board of Directors should fire this woman immediately.
Komen Also Stops Funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research Centers

[mikey2573]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:24pm

In addition to changing your donations, why not tell them about it? The link below will help you find a local chapter. Write to them and tell them that their organizations cowardice will cost them. Here's the text of the email I just sent:

"As a husband and father of three daughters, I have supported every event of yours in this area. However, I have learned that your organization has succumbed to political pressure from right-wing zealots and withdrawn your vital support for Planned Parenthood. Accordingly, I will no longer support your organization, and will instead donate directly to Planned Parenthood. "

Why didn't you just do that in the first place?


"I strongly hope that your organization reconsiders your cowardly decision,"

I am curious as to what is "cowardly" about their decision? Could it be that there are things that PP is doing that they just disagree with?

[mikey2573]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:33pm

"97% of PP budget are unrelated to abortion services"

And yet, according to PP's own numbers, 10% of its clientele received abortions.(THat is over 330,000 abortions).

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:44pm

PP's own numbers read from 3-10%. Not 10%.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:47pm

And yet, one is not mutually exclusive of the other. Other health care services are provided. Some people use PP as their primary care provider, and for example come for breast cancer screenings or mammograms (though no longer funded by Komen), and other basic services.









Updated On: 2/1/12 at 11:47 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:47pm

"Could it be that there are things that PP is doing that they just disagree with?"

No, actually, it couldn't be that if you listen to Komen's telling of the tale. It's just that they now have this more stringent grant vetting process, why, if it weren't for this new stringency things would probably just be going along swimmingly in the Komen/Planned Parenthood relationship.