# 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:** 4
**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, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/61 "2012-02-02T02:52:12Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > 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. So, you decide how your money is used. Do you have cite a cite for “massively pissing off their donor base”? ---
**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, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/62 "2012-02-02T02:53:42Z")
This thread is a pretty good example, the massive amount of feedback they’re getting due to the decision, or maybe the $400,000 in donations PP is somewhat indicative. Really, do pay attention. ---
**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, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/63 "2012-02-02T02:53:47Z")
> [@biddee](#): > > 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. (sorry for the doublepost) So, the thread should be now “Thanks for defunding PP”! > [@](#): > > This thread is a pretty good example, the massive amount of feedback they’re getting due to the decision, or maybe the $400,000 in donations PP is somewhat indicative. Really, do pay attention. This thread is not a good example of “massively pissing off”. It’s a thread on a MB. ---
**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, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/64 "2012-02-02T02:57:43Z")
> **[Susan G. Komen Faces Backlash Over Planned Parenthood Decision](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/susan-g-komen_n_1247262)** > > Susan G. Komen Faces Backlash Over Planned Parenthood Decision “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.” ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/65 "2012-02-02T03:06:38Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > So, you decide how your money is used. > Do you have cite a cite for “massively pissing off their donor base”? Your profile says “Peru”–where there is no Planned Parenthood. And almost no legal abortion. Although [abortion rates](http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/ib12.html) are rather high. PP does Pap smears–but [not in Peru](http://www.cervicusco.org/english/cervical-cancer-peru.html): > [@](#): > > Cervical cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in Peruvian women 15 to 64 years old. Peru has a very high rate of cervical cancer compared with other countries in the world. The majority of Peruvian women with cervical cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and survival rates poor. Thanks for your concern… ---
**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, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/66 "2012-02-02T03:09:39Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > This thread is a pretty good example, the massive amount of feedback they’re getting due to the decision, or maybe the $400,000 in donations PP is somewhat indicative. Really, do pay attention. It’s [$650 000](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/planned-parenthood-says-komen-decision-causes-donation-spike/2012/02/01/gIQAGLsxiQ_story.html) now and rising. They’re hoping to hit $1 million by midnight 🙂 ---
**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, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/67 "2012-02-02T03:14:08Z")
Hardly a backlash, according to our local chicken chili. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/68 "2012-02-02T03:19:17Z")
I had high hopes for Komen, given one of my cousins died of breast cancer. But if she was alive and standing next to me today, she wouldn’t support backing away from PP. I know where my allegiance lies. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/69 "2012-02-02T03:24:02Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > 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. Love it! > [@faithfool](#): > > 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: > > [Top-Rated Nonprofits](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. You are evil. I like that! PM on the way. I just went and looked at that website. Komen Foundation has a whopping 1 star average. 😃 ---
**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, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/70 "2012-02-02T03:53:27Z")
There’s probably also a way to review and rate them on Charity Navigator, but I haven’t looked into it yet. And I’ll be sending you a PM back here in a second. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Room](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_room/32/5069_2.png) [@Little\_Room](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Room)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/71 "2012-02-02T03:54:18Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Except they don’t actually care much if at all about reducing the number of abortions; what they do care about is hurting women as much as possible. Abortion is just the club they’ve latched onto for the job. That’s why their behavior simply makes no sense from the viewpoint of reducing abortions; that’s not their interest in the first place. Yep, you got me. I’m pro-life because I want to hurt women. I love my wife and do everything for her, I am supportive of the difficult burden that single mothers have to bear, I argue in favor of and am supportive of the equality of women in society - but secretly, deep down, I want to hurt women. This really doesn’t make any sense. 😕 ---
**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, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/72 "2012-02-02T04:07:04Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Your profile says “Peru”–where there is no Planned Parenthood. And almost no legal abortion. Although [abortion rates](http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/ib12.html) are rather high. > > PP does Pap smears–but [not in Peru](http://www.cervicusco.org/english/cervical-cancer-peru.html): > > Thanks for your concern… Abortion rate numbers are highly suspect in Peru especially since they would entail 30-40% of all pregnancies ending in abortion. On the other hand, while illegal anyone can get an abortion done by a doctor. you see their ads called “your period is late? - we solve it” all over the place. No woman has ever been accused of aborting. Maybe we can get part of the money here in Peru? It would go a very long way here (to get an idea, an M.D. makes 500-700 dollars a month) If you read your own link, it says there is no money. A “small town” in the Peruvian andes means 300 people with no running water, at 4000masl and maybe 3 days from the nearest medical services. By the way, my donations in this aspect go to pregnant-teens halfway house (who escpae their houses because they don’t want to be forced to abort) and a group of obgyn friends providing free pregnancy test (but no abortions). The complaint seems more about defunding PP rather than providing medical services. I’m sure PP is the only provider of services in some areas, I’m also sure that other areas don’t get even PP and may get the services now through non-PP services. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/73 "2012-02-02T06:52:40Z")
I’m afraid the fall out from this will deeply hurt the credibility of the Susan G Komen foundation. Primarily because of the chicken shit excuse they came up with for dumping Planned Parenthood. One cranky Rep. Congressman isn’t a full scale investigation. SGK should have have the guts to say the truth. They were losing support from the Pro Life groups and that’s why they dumped Planned Parenthood. It’s a damn shame. I’ve supported both groups for years. They both do very important work that saves women’s lives. A lot of low income women depended on Planned Parenthoods breast screening program. This isn’t a proud moment for SGK at all. I’m not sure if I’ll continue my support or not. I need to think about it and read more as the story develops. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/74 "2012-02-02T07:01:31Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > Relatively recently, Susan G. Komen hired Karen Handel as a Senior Vice President. Handel ran for governor of Georgia in 2010, and in her campaign, vowed to defund Planned Parenthood. She was endorsed by, among others, Sarah Palin. She lost. > > Guess she found another way to stick it to Planned Parenthood. > > ETA: ninja’d by _this much._ So that’s where Karen went to.. the good ol boys in the elephant party sent her ass packing.. SHe use to be on the fulton county board.. then made the bad attempt to challenge em downstate.. she lost.. Ironically if she would’ve won i think she would have been the only gov in the US to not have a college degree.. see.. book learnin.. nothing good comes of it. Komen is dead to me.. no more donations or sponsorships.. Cowards.. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/75 "2012-02-02T08:04:02Z")
Just posted this on my Facebook wall: > [@](#): > > I just donated $25 to Planned Parenthood of San Gabriel Valley. Susan G. Komen foundation can shove their pink ribbons up their metaphoric asses. They’ve been questionable for a long time, (why I never gave them $$) but I’ve never minded them much - I will now go out of my way to avoid buying anything that will give them a percentage. > > Breast cancer sucks. So do all other cancers. But Planned Parenthood’s low cost services - contraception, SDT screening, GYN care, and yes abortion - have helped nearly every woman I know, at some point in her life (and most of the men, too, directly or indirectly). > > SGK - you started off as a Good Thing, but you’ve lost your way. If they change their mind and re-fund PP, cool, I’ll take this back. Until then, my $$ goes elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/76 "2012-02-02T13:30:15Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Don’t have to give them an email, or your name. Those are optional fields. They weren’t when I clicked on the e-mail link. Maybe they changed the requirements? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/77 "2012-02-02T13:53:37Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > They weren’t when I clicked on the e-mail link. Maybe they changed the requirements? The link now goes to “Organization not found”. Evidently, they don’t know if they’re Komen or Goin… ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/78 "2012-02-02T15:25:57Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Abortion rate numbers are highly suspect in Peru especially since they would entail 30-40% of all pregnancies ending in abortion. > On the other hand, while illegal anyone can get an abortion done by a doctor. you see their ads called “your period is late? - we solve it” all over the place. No woman has ever been accused of aborting. > > Maybe we can get part of the money here in Peru? It would go a very long way here (to get an idea, an M.D. makes 500-700 dollars a month) > > If you read your own link, it says there is no money. A “small town” in the Peruvian andes means 300 people with no running water, at 4000masl and maybe 3 days from the nearest medical services. > > By the way, my donations in this aspect go to pregnant-teens halfway house (who escpae their houses because they don’t want to be forced to abort) and a group of obgyn friends providing free pregnancy test (but no abortions). > > The complaint seems more about defunding PP rather than providing medical services. I’m sure PP is the only provider of services in some areas, I’m also sure that other areas don’t get even PP and may get the services now through non-PP services. Do those selfless MD’s also test for cervical cancer & other malignancies? Do they supply contraceptives for women who want them? What if men want information on contraception? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/79 "2012-02-02T15:33:13Z")
My wife **tygre** reminded me of something today. Before she met me and after she’d left her first husband, she was between jobs and uninsured, so she went to Planned Parenthood for her annual pap smear. That’s where they found she had Stage 1 cervical cancer. She’s fine now after much in the way of surgery, and we would never have been able to have kids together. But without Planned Parenthood…I don’t want to know. Might have been too late. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413/80 "2012-02-02T15:39:47Z")
In all of the uproar over the Planned Parenthood thing, people have been posting other information about Susan G. Komen that personally I’ve found very interesting, and which in my opinion is even more of a reason not to give them money: [Komen’s political agenda.](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/01/1060885/-Behind-the-Pink-Curtain-Komens-Political-Agenda) [Komen’s SLAPP lawsuits against smaller charities that use “For the Cure” or the color pink.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/komen-foundation-charities-cure_n_793176.html) I think it’s pretty clear that whatever its original intentions, this is now an organization that cares much, much more about political maneuvering than about helping to screen for, treat, and cure breast cancer. I won’t be buying any more of their stupid pink products or contributing money to Races for the Cure or anything else that funnels cash to the SGK juggernaut. Screw them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-g-komen-cuts-funding-to-pp/611413.md?page=5)