# Susan G Komen cuts funding to PP **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413 "2012-02-01T13:08:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/41 "2012-02-01T19:57:20Z")
Damn it! I never saw the choice for Improper Conduct, so I emailed it under Donations or something. ☹ Thanks for the link though. I’m glad to be able to at least tell them what I think. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/42 "2012-02-01T19:59:40Z")
Missed the edit window: For Canadians who donate to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, from a [Globe and Mail](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/breast-cancer-charity-pulls-funding-to-pro-choice-foundation/article2322353/) article: > [@](#): > > But it’s also raising questions about what impact the Komen Foundation’s decision could have in Canada. Last August, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, which organizes the Run for the Cure, announced it was teaming up with the Komen Foundation to raise money and possibly collaborate on research, education, advocacy and awareness programs on both sides of the border. > > Paul Cantin, director of communications at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s central office, says there are no policy links between it and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Regardless, CBCF doesn’t provide any funding to Planned Parenthood in Canada, he said. The comments sections are just as dumb as on Yahoo!, btw. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/43 "2012-02-01T21:20:05Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Here’s Komen’s ([Contact Us](http://ww5.komen.org/Contact.aspx)) page (it took a bit of digging to find it so I thought I’d share, hope that’s not a problem). I think I’m going to use “Report Improper Conduct” for my subject. 😛 Awesome. How’s this?: > [@](#): > > I am saddened to report that the Susan G. Komen Foundation has demonstrated improper conduct in removing support for breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood due to pressure from anti-choice activists. I am sure that this is an oversight, and so I have done my share to send a small donation to Planned Parenthoood, instead of to The Susan G. Komen Foundation. I will continue to do so until the Susan G. Komen Foundation supports breast cancer screening, research and treatment for ALL women, not simply ones who can afford private physicians. > [@Duke](#): > > I doubt sending them a nasty e-mail will do any more than sticking you on their e-mail list forever. Don’t have to give them an email, or your name. Those are optional fields. I don’t expect it to do much good, mind you. I just hope to waste someone’s time, and be the 145,395 email they get today on the subject. Hey, it worked for bank fees! ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/44 "2012-02-01T21:30:02Z")
I was just wondering if you people were donating to the PP general fund, the activist part, a local clinic, what? Not all give subsidized healthcare. During my own research (groan), I saw that PP was more expensive than a women’s healthcare (e.g., abortion) clinic for an abortion, and definitely more expensive than the free STD clinics for teens and county residents. It’s my understanding that PP gives you a deal when they get grant money. I’m assuming that grant money from Komen will just go somewhere else. I was pissed at the article as well, but I’m not sure how donating to PP offsets the impact of the Komen-PP partnership schism. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/45 "2012-02-01T21:39:09Z")
_HuffPo_ reported this afternoon: > [@](#): > > UPDATE: 3:40 p.m. – Planned Parenthood announced on Wednesday that it has received $400,000 from about 6,000 donors since Komen announced it was cutting funding to the organization on Tuesday afternoon. It might take two whole days for Planned Parenthood to get in increased donations to recoup what it lost from Komen. Good going, guys! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/46 "2012-02-01T21:57:56Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I was just wondering if you people were donating to the PP general fund, the activist part, a local clinic, what? Not all give subsidized healthcare. During my own research (groan), I saw that PP was more expensive than a women’s healthcare (e.g., abortion) clinic for an abortion, and definitely more expensive than the free STD clinics for teens and county residents. It’s my understanding that PP gives you a deal when they get grant money. I’m assuming that grant money from Komen will just go somewhere else. > > I was pissed at the article as well, but I’m not sure how donating to PP offsets the impact of the Komen-PP partnership schism. I donated at [https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp\_ppol\_Nondirected\_OneTimeGift](https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_Nondirected_OneTimeGift) I also donate at our local LGBT low-cost clinic, so I feel I’ve got my bases covered, as far as Buying Local, as it were. I don’t think, for me, anyhow, it’s so much that I’m literally offsetting the impact financially, but rather sending a message to SGK and Karen Handel that anti-choice people aren’t the only people they have to worry about offending. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/47 "2012-02-01T22:44:46Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I was just wondering if you people were donating to the PP general fund, the activist part, a local clinic, what? Not all give subsidized healthcare. During my own research (groan), I saw that PP was more expensive than a women’s healthcare (e.g., abortion) clinic for an abortion, and definitely more expensive than the free STD clinics for teens and county residents. It’s my understanding that PP gives you a deal when they get grant money. I’m assuming that grant money from Komen will just go somewhere else. > > I was pissed at the article as well, but I’m not sure how donating to PP offsets the impact of the Komen-PP partnership schism. I donated to the general fund. I don’t care how they use the money - I’m pretty certain I’d agree with it. PP Illinois has given me (and MANY other people I know) sliding-scale care in the past for much cheaper than a private gyno would have been when I was uninsured. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/48 "2012-02-01T22:50:37Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I was just wondering if you people were donating to the PP general fund, the activist part, a local clinic, what? Not all give subsidized healthcare. During my own research (groan), I saw that PP was more expensive than a women’s healthcare (e.g., abortion) clinic for an abortion, and definitely more expensive than the free STD clinics for teens and county residents. It’s my understanding that PP gives you a deal when they get grant money. I’m assuming that grant money from Komen will just go somewhere else. > > I was pissed at the article as well, but I’m not sure how donating to PP offsets the impact of the Komen-PP partnership schism. PP provides services on a sliding-scale. Basically they match your ability to pay with what they charge you. Many services can be had for free if you lack money to pay. If someone with money wants to shop for a lower price that is their business. Personally, unless the price difference was substantial, I’d be happy to pay a little more to PP for services knowing it may help someone else who doesn’t have money. That said I am a male so there are not many services PP provides that would have me going there. Just saying… As for when you donate you are free to restrict your donation as you see fit (assuming that restriction matches with something they actually do). Most if not all charities will do this. That said they all prefer unrestricted funds. Up to you to donate as you see fit. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/49 "2012-02-02T00:23:47Z")
Also, if one does donate to PP, you can request a thank you card be sent to SGK’s Senior VP, Karen Handel. If anyone would like that address, PM me. Further, if you’d like to voice your complaint about SGK’s decision, you can do so at: [http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/Susan-g-koman-breast-cancer-foundation-inc-national-office](http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/Susan-g-koman-breast-cancer-foundation-inc-national-office) I had to register a throw away email address to do so, but I saw others that did anonymously. Up to you. Just thought I’d pass all this along. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/50 "2012-02-02T01:09:41Z")
I give a substantial amount to PP anyway because they were there for me when I was a scared, uninsured college student. It’s not just for abortion seeking sluts. I was a 19 year old virgin who discovered something very wrong (and very TMI) down there. It turned out to be a whole lot of nothing, but I was terrified. They were caring, calming and professional and I will never forget that. Just upped my gift for the year. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/51 "2012-02-02T01:16:43Z")
HEADLINE NEWS: Organisation decides how to use its money. On other news, Friday comes after Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/52 "2012-02-02T01:18:16Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I don’t think, for me, anyhow, it’s so much that I’m literally offsetting the impact financially, but rather sending a message to SGK and Karen Handel that anti-choice people aren’t the only people they have to worry about offending. Very good point. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > PP provides services on a sliding-scale. Basically they match your ability to pay with what they charge you. Many services can be had for free if you lack money to pay. Not all clinics offer this, but many (or some?) do. In my research in the Denver area, some could offer you a sliding scale if you qualified. I think if I fudge it by a $100/mo, I qualify, but I don’t want to lie. The one I went to by my house just had a general price list. I think it depends on the clinic and their funding. PP operates at a surplus - they’re pretty savvy - so I don’t think it works the same in all areas (or across decades…). > [@MaddyStrut](#): > > I give a substantial amount to PP anyway because they were there for me when I was a scared, uninsured college student. It’s not just for abortion seeking sluts. I was a 19 year old virgin who discovered something very wrong (and very TMI) down there. It turned out to be a whole lot of nothing, but I was terrified. **They were caring, calming and professional and I will never forget that.** > > Just upped my gift for the year. And that is why I think PP should get support. It’s not just the politics or the grants they get, but the care and support they’ve given women. Women need to be empowered about their reproductive health…I just think it goes for poor women as well. Especially poor women. That being said, what SGK did was completely political, and the best way to show your distaste is with a donation! ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/53 "2012-02-02T01:51:25Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > HEADLINE NEWS: Organisation decides how to use its money. > On other news, Friday comes after Thursday. What a retarded contribution to the thread. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/54 "2012-02-02T01:56:52Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > HEADLINE NEWS: Organisation decides how to use its money. > On other news, Friday comes after Thursday. When a fundraising juggernaut decides to use its funds in a way that directly undercuts its stated purpose that is indeed news. And let’s face it, that’s exactly what’s happening here. The most important thing you can do to improve the outcome of breast cancer (which is supposed to be what this foundation is all about) is to catch it early–cutting funding for screening flies in the face of everything they allegedly stand for. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/55 "2012-02-02T01:57:54Z")
I just wish there was a way to donate to PP without getting on their barrage-of-snail-mail list. We donated, many years ago - and they spent more on postage over the next year, than we had donated. And yeah, SGK gets no money from us in the fuure. ---
**Author:** ![MTRG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@MTRG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTRG)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/56 "2012-02-02T02:23:59Z")
Komen also pulled out funding for embryonic stem cell research: As LifeNews reported last July, Karen Malec of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer spent time examining Komen’s 990 Forms for the IRS for 2010 and she found that Komen has active relationships with at least five research groups or educational facilities that engage in embryonic stem cell research, which requires the destruction of unborn children in their earliest days for stem cells that have yet to help any patients. The return showed donations from Komen totaling $3.75 million to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, $4.5 million to the University of Kansas Medical Center, $1 million to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, $1 million to the Society for Women’s Health Research, and $600,000 to Yale University. All of them have embryonic stem cell research programs. On November 30, 2011, Komen quietly added a new statement to its web site stating that it does not support embryonic stem cell research but supports the kinds that do not involve the destruction of human life. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/57 "2012-02-02T02:39:20Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > What a retarded contribution to the thread. What? did I interrupt the circle jerk? Do you donate to pro-life institutions? > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > When a fundraising juggernaut decides to use its funds in a way that directly undercuts its stated purpose that is indeed news. And let’s face it, that’s exactly what’s happening here. The most important thing you can do to improve the outcome of breast cancer (which is supposed to be what this foundation is all about) is to catch it early–cutting funding for screening flies in the face of everything they allegedly stand for. Is PP the only organisation that can do them? Will the money go to fund hamburgers or other breast-cancer related companies? [Catching it early is overrated.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer_screening) ---
**Author:** ![biddee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/58 "2012-02-02T02:45:02Z")
> [@MTRG](#): > > Komen also pulled out funding for embryonic stem cell research: > > On November 30, 2011, Komen quietly added a new statement to its web site stating that it does not support embryonic stem cell research but supports the kinds that do not involve the destruction of human life. That makes no sense at all! And chances are, that’s where the cure for cancer is going to come from. [A great article from Marie-Claire magazine on the business of Breast Cancer…](http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/breast-cancer-business-scams) ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/59 "2012-02-02T02:49:15Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > What? did I interrupt the circle jerk? > Do you donate to pro-life institutions? No, I am pro-choice, and I support planned parenthood. Here’s a newsflash for the journalistically inclined: when an organization that relies entirely on donations does something that massively pisses off their donor base and causes many of them to boycott the organization, they should probably pay attention to that, lest they cease to exist due to lack of financial support. ---
**Author:** ![biddee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/60 "2012-02-02T02:51:39Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Is PP the only organisation that can do them? I am not from the US but I have visited often and have a lot of family there. Yes, in some places PP is the only place where you can get low cost reproductive care including cancer screenings. Quite frankly SGK has done PP a real service by severing ties with them. They have managed to raise $650 000 today alone, which is very close to the funding that has been cut by SGK. Plus there has been a massive upsurge in bookings for breast cancer screenings. Just goes to show that women actually know what they want. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413.md?page=4)