Susan G. Komen Blinks — Page 2

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.

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That was stupid..

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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. :)

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.

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:

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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.

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

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.

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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/

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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?

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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:

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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

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

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

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"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).

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