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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/02/planned-parenthood-susan-g-komen-foundation-betrayal

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By defunding Planned Parenthood, the Susan G Komen Foundation betrays women By defunding Planned Parenthood, the Susan G Komen Foundation betrays women
(about 6 hours later)
Update:
New York City's billionaire mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has responded to the Komen coup by saying "enough is enough" and putting his money where his mouth is. He has promised to match, dollar for dollar, donations to Planned Parenthood up to a total of $250,000, in order to ensure the organization can continue its amazing work fighting breast cancer.
I am so very happy that a politician who is in the 1% of the 1% recognizes his responsibility to his fellow citizens and values the importance of making sure women always have access to quality healthcare. Thank you, Mr Mayor, for speaking out against the Occupy My Uterus Movement and speaking for Planned Parenthood.
And in other rich guy news, Donald Trump.
Original article starts here:
I was sitting on my friend Maggie's couch last January, watching, slack-jawed, as the first order of business in the new Republican-controlled Congress was not to create jobs, restructure the tax code or reform a corrupt banking system that crippled our nation.I was sitting on my friend Maggie's couch last January, watching, slack-jawed, as the first order of business in the new Republican-controlled Congress was not to create jobs, restructure the tax code or reform a corrupt banking system that crippled our nation.
No, the first order of business was trying to defund Planned Parenthood, an American institution that for 90 years has tirelessly provided affordable healthcare services to women, children and men. One in five women in America have used the services of Planned Parenthood.No, the first order of business was trying to defund Planned Parenthood, an American institution that for 90 years has tirelessly provided affordable healthcare services to women, children and men. One in five women in America have used the services of Planned Parenthood.
I am one of those women. And 97% of what Planned Parenthood provides is low-cost, preventative healthcare and treatment like pap smears, birth control dispensing, HIV/Aids testing and breast cancer screenings.I am one of those women. And 97% of what Planned Parenthood provides is low-cost, preventative healthcare and treatment like pap smears, birth control dispensing, HIV/Aids testing and breast cancer screenings.
Three percent of what they do is provide abortion services. Abortions that are 100% paid for by the woman who elects to have the procedure. A procedure that is legal in this country as of the publication date of this article.Three percent of what they do is provide abortion services. Abortions that are 100% paid for by the woman who elects to have the procedure. A procedure that is legal in this country as of the publication date of this article.
The defunding legislation failed, but lit a fire in the belly of zealots in statehouses across America, resulting in a record number of states attempting to or actually imposing draconian laws leaving low-income women at risk of having no access to affordable healthcare.The defunding legislation failed, but lit a fire in the belly of zealots in statehouses across America, resulting in a record number of states attempting to or actually imposing draconian laws leaving low-income women at risk of having no access to affordable healthcare.
It was personal for me. At 17, I found myself pregnant and alone; and after going to anti-choice zealots for guidance, I found only scorn and shame. It was Planned Parenthood that listened to me, which allowed me to make the choice I needed to make, which was to have an abortion.It was personal for me. At 17, I found myself pregnant and alone; and after going to anti-choice zealots for guidance, I found only scorn and shame. It was Planned Parenthood that listened to me, which allowed me to make the choice I needed to make, which was to have an abortion.
I wanted to give back, so together with my friend Maggie, we formed a two-woman fundraising machine, reached out to Planned Parenthood and organized a tour to raise money and awareness for local affiliates. I piled my two dogs in a van. My pal Matt took 10 days off of work to protect me from hate-mongers like this, and do some filming, and the wonderful photographer Mindy Tucker volunteered her time to do a photo essay of the trip.I wanted to give back, so together with my friend Maggie, we formed a two-woman fundraising machine, reached out to Planned Parenthood and organized a tour to raise money and awareness for local affiliates. I piled my two dogs in a van. My pal Matt took 10 days off of work to protect me from hate-mongers like this, and do some filming, and the wonderful photographer Mindy Tucker volunteered her time to do a photo essay of the trip.
I did 16 fundraisers between April and December, bringing my comedy act into towns doing shows to raise money and share my story with hundreds of people each night who also wanted to preserve the quality care Planned Parenthood provides.I did 16 fundraisers between April and December, bringing my comedy act into towns doing shows to raise money and share my story with hundreds of people each night who also wanted to preserve the quality care Planned Parenthood provides.
A lot of people shared their stories with me. People who had similar experience to mine and kept it a secret. Wonderful stories of appreciation for quality prenatal care they received, and equally appreciative stories of being able to have a safe haven where they could make that very personal decision to terminate a pregnancy.A lot of people shared their stories with me. People who had similar experience to mine and kept it a secret. Wonderful stories of appreciation for quality prenatal care they received, and equally appreciative stories of being able to have a safe haven where they could make that very personal decision to terminate a pregnancy.
I heard stories, too, from women and men whose lives were saved because they were able to get all kinds of cancer screenings; from cervical to testicular to thyroid. And many stories of breast cancer detection.I heard stories, too, from women and men whose lives were saved because they were able to get all kinds of cancer screenings; from cervical to testicular to thyroid. And many stories of breast cancer detection.
There were women who were able to get annual mammograms, catching it early so they could get treated and go on to live healthy lives. Heartbreaking and triumphant stories from women who had lost their jobs and the healthcare that went along with it, women working three part-time jobs that didn't provide healthcare, students who relied on Planned Parenthood because every extra penny went to books and tuition. Single moms who didn't have to choose between a mammogram and buying baby formula.There were women who were able to get annual mammograms, catching it early so they could get treated and go on to live healthy lives. Heartbreaking and triumphant stories from women who had lost their jobs and the healthcare that went along with it, women working three part-time jobs that didn't provide healthcare, students who relied on Planned Parenthood because every extra penny went to books and tuition. Single moms who didn't have to choose between a mammogram and buying baby formula.
My dear friend Shannyn Moore lights up my life everyday because Planned Parenthood detected her breast cancer and helped her with the costs of her treatment.My dear friend Shannyn Moore lights up my life everyday because Planned Parenthood detected her breast cancer and helped her with the costs of her treatment.
For years, the Susan G Komen Foundation helped Planned Parenthood by providing funding to help them continue their efforts to provide breast cancer screening to women in need. Until this week.For years, the Susan G Komen Foundation helped Planned Parenthood by providing funding to help them continue their efforts to provide breast cancer screening to women in need. Until this week.
The foundation has chosen to defunded Planned Parenthood because it claims it cannot fund an organization that is under congressional investigation. An unwarranted investigation led by Representative Cliff Sterns, a zealous Florida congressman who is more concerned about controlling women's bodies than keeping said bodies healthy.The foundation has chosen to defunded Planned Parenthood because it claims it cannot fund an organization that is under congressional investigation. An unwarranted investigation led by Representative Cliff Sterns, a zealous Florida congressman who is more concerned about controlling women's bodies than keeping said bodies healthy.
It is stunning but not surprising. Anti-choice activists credit Karen Handel, the new vice-president of the Komen Foundation for the defunding, celebrating her fierce anti-women stance as a catalyst for the action. I can't help but wonder was the legislation proposed in order for Komen to be able to pull funding; I hope the media will look further into whether there is a relationship between the two events.It is stunning but not surprising. Anti-choice activists credit Karen Handel, the new vice-president of the Komen Foundation for the defunding, celebrating her fierce anti-women stance as a catalyst for the action. I can't help but wonder was the legislation proposed in order for Komen to be able to pull funding; I hope the media will look further into whether there is a relationship between the two events.
This is not the first time SGK has come under fire. They have been under attack for threatening legal action against non-profits for using "Race for the Cure" as a trademark. And oh, for using the color pink.This is not the first time SGK has come under fire. They have been under attack for threatening legal action against non-profits for using "Race for the Cure" as a trademark. And oh, for using the color pink.
In fact, Thursday, Pink Ribbons Inc, a documentary film showcasing Komen's business model will only add fuel to the anger-pyre women's health advocates are stoking in light of the foundation's latest move.In fact, Thursday, Pink Ribbons Inc, a documentary film showcasing Komen's business model will only add fuel to the anger-pyre women's health advocates are stoking in light of the foundation's latest move.
It is unconscionable that SGK would pull the healthcare rug out from under thousands of women who have no place to go but Planned Parenthood for breast exams and breast cancer-related treatment. It's even more unconscionable that the winners of this decision are the corporate shills who will have that much more money to slap pink ribbons on yogurt and mixers in the name of "Breast cancer awareness".It is unconscionable that SGK would pull the healthcare rug out from under thousands of women who have no place to go but Planned Parenthood for breast exams and breast cancer-related treatment. It's even more unconscionable that the winners of this decision are the corporate shills who will have that much more money to slap pink ribbons on yogurt and mixers in the name of "Breast cancer awareness".
Mission accomplished, Komen. We are now aware of breast cancer. And now we are also aware that the Susan G Komen Foundation is more about bringing awareness to Susan G Komen and its corporate benefactors than it is about "Racing for a Cure". Last I checked, a pink breast cancer awareness toaster isn't a substitute for affordable chemotherapy.Mission accomplished, Komen. We are now aware of breast cancer. And now we are also aware that the Susan G Komen Foundation is more about bringing awareness to Susan G Komen and its corporate benefactors than it is about "Racing for a Cure". Last I checked, a pink breast cancer awareness toaster isn't a substitute for affordable chemotherapy.
I am a proud advocate for the work Planned Parenthood does and proudly stand with them, and for them. I will be a voice for them so they can continue to do the work they do.I am a proud advocate for the work Planned Parenthood does and proudly stand with them, and for them. I will be a voice for them so they can continue to do the work they do.
And as for the Susan G Komen Foundation? I will no longer support your "Race for the Cure". In fact, maybe I'll just "Listen to The Cure for the Cure.®"It will probably have about as much impact. You don't own that trademark.And as for the Susan G Komen Foundation? I will no longer support your "Race for the Cure". In fact, maybe I'll just "Listen to The Cure for the Cure.®"It will probably have about as much impact. You don't own that trademark.