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| Komen backlash leaves Race for the Cure scrambling to limit damage | Komen backlash leaves Race for the Cure scrambling to limit damage |
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| Every month, somewhere in America, people swath themselves in pink, lace up their running shoes and take part in the Race for the Cure, the world's largest and most successful breast cancer awareness and fundraising event. Since the first race in Dallas in 1983, 1.6 million participants have pounded round the 5km courses in a series which now spans four continents. | Every month, somewhere in America, people swath themselves in pink, lace up their running shoes and take part in the Race for the Cure, the world's largest and most successful breast cancer awareness and fundraising event. Since the first race in Dallas in 1983, 1.6 million participants have pounded round the 5km courses in a series which now spans four continents. |
| But now there are growing fears that the race series, and the millions of dollars it raises, may be one of the most visible casualties of the backlash that has engulfed the organisation that runs it, the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation, since it decided to stop funding Planned Parenthood, the country's leading reproductive healthcare provider – a decision, critics say, that was made under pressure from anti-abortion activists. Planned Parenthood is a target of pro-life lobbies because some of its clinics offer abortions. | But now there are growing fears that the race series, and the millions of dollars it raises, may be one of the most visible casualties of the backlash that has engulfed the organisation that runs it, the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation, since it decided to stop funding Planned Parenthood, the country's leading reproductive healthcare provider – a decision, critics say, that was made under pressure from anti-abortion activists. Planned Parenthood is a target of pro-life lobbies because some of its clinics offer abortions. |
| A week has passed since Komen was forced to reverse that decision and issue a public apology. But that failed to silence the critics, so on Tuesday, Karen Handel, Komen's senior vice-president and the apparent architect of the defunding decision, resigned. Yet that, too, has done little to restore public confidence in the organisation. | A week has passed since Komen was forced to reverse that decision and issue a public apology. But that failed to silence the critics, so on Tuesday, Karen Handel, Komen's senior vice-president and the apparent architect of the defunding decision, resigned. Yet that, too, has done little to restore public confidence in the organisation. |
| The brand that Komen's founder Nancy Brinker has spent 30 years building, promoting and aggressively protecting lies in tatters, tainted by a decision widely perceived as political and which, had it been carried through, would have halted breast cancer screening programmes for uninsured women who would otherwise not have access to such care. | The brand that Komen's founder Nancy Brinker has spent 30 years building, promoting and aggressively protecting lies in tatters, tainted by a decision widely perceived as political and which, had it been carried through, would have halted breast cancer screening programmes for uninsured women who would otherwise not have access to such care. |
| How Komen will ever recover is a question many are asking. There are those who feel it won't be fixed until Brinker and her entire board resigns. | How Komen will ever recover is a question many are asking. There are those who feel it won't be fixed until Brinker and her entire board resigns. |
| But for the 120 local groups affiliated with Komen, those that make the local Race for the Cure events happen, there was a more pressing concern. How would they repair the damage to the organisation in their own communities and persuade them to continue with the support that is vital to breast cancer detection, treatment and research there? | But for the 120 local groups affiliated with Komen, those that make the local Race for the Cure events happen, there was a more pressing concern. How would they repair the damage to the organisation in their own communities and persuade them to continue with the support that is vital to breast cancer detection, treatment and research there? |
| The Guardian has spoken to affiliate groups and supporters across the country. Most were unwilling to comment publicly, but they spoke in emotional terms and with great sadness about their uphill struggle to rebuild trust. | |
| Logan Hood, executive director of Komen Aspen, one of 19 Komen affiliates that gave grants to Planned Parenthood's local breast screening programmes, said: "There has been damage to the network. We definitely feel the trust has been broken. All the affiliates are having a hard time with that. There are affiliates who have races coming up and I'm hoping they are going to get through it. We are trying to be supportive of one another." | Logan Hood, executive director of Komen Aspen, one of 19 Komen affiliates that gave grants to Planned Parenthood's local breast screening programmes, said: "There has been damage to the network. We definitely feel the trust has been broken. All the affiliates are having a hard time with that. There are affiliates who have races coming up and I'm hoping they are going to get through it. We are trying to be supportive of one another." |
| It has emerged that, when the policy to introduce new funding rules were discussed by Komen in December, they were warned against it by some affiliates. Both the Aspen and Denver groups argued for waivers from the new rules because of the important role of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains role in battling breast cancer in Colorado. | It has emerged that, when the policy to introduce new funding rules were discussed by Komen in December, they were warned against it by some affiliates. Both the Aspen and Denver groups argued for waivers from the new rules because of the important role of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains role in battling breast cancer in Colorado. |
| According to Komen's Denver affiliate, the grant to local Planned Parenthood clinics accounted for one fifth of the breast cancers discovered through the organisation in the city. A reported 84% of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain patients have no health insurance and 62% live below poverty line. Yet only Denver was granted an exception. | According to Komen's Denver affiliate, the grant to local Planned Parenthood clinics accounted for one fifth of the breast cancers discovered through the organisation in the city. A reported 84% of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain patients have no health insurance and 62% live below poverty line. Yet only Denver was granted an exception. |
| Hood said: "We have been funding them for 17 years in Colorado. It was a lot for our affiliate to take a stand, but we believe that the women in our state are the highest priority. Western Colorado is a very rural community. There are not a lot of options for poor women to have breast cancer screening." | Hood said: "We have been funding them for 17 years in Colorado. It was a lot for our affiliate to take a stand, but we believe that the women in our state are the highest priority. Western Colorado is a very rural community. There are not a lot of options for poor women to have breast cancer screening." |
| Asked if more needed to be done by Brinker and the board, Hood would only say: "They need to figure out what's going on. We are part of a larger network and unfortunately we were an afterthought." | Asked if more needed to be done by Brinker and the board, Hood would only say: "They need to figure out what's going on. We are part of a larger network and unfortunately we were an afterthought." |
| Eve Ellis, a major fundraiser and former board member of affiliate group Komen New York City, is one of several prominent individuals to cut their ties with the group following the backlash against it. She called for Brinker and the entire board, including Brinker's son, to go, so that so that "I and the millions of people who have walked and talked for Komen can trust again." | Eve Ellis, a major fundraiser and former board member of affiliate group Komen New York City, is one of several prominent individuals to cut their ties with the group following the backlash against it. She called for Brinker and the entire board, including Brinker's son, to go, so that so that "I and the millions of people who have walked and talked for Komen can trust again." |
| Ellis, who does not believe the funding withdrawal was not political, said that Komen was warned about its impact among local groups. "This is a decision that was deliberated on," she told the Guardian. "They had people from the affliliates saying "Don't do this, this is not a good decision." | Ellis, who does not believe the funding withdrawal was not political, said that Komen was warned about its impact among local groups. "This is a decision that was deliberated on," she told the Guardian. "They had people from the affliliates saying "Don't do this, this is not a good decision." |
| "Komen does the most wonderful work," she continued. "There is no other organisation like it. To say, 'We want them out of business' would do us a terrible disservice. But we care about good governance of non-profits." | "Komen does the most wonderful work," she continued. "There is no other organisation like it. To say, 'We want them out of business' would do us a terrible disservice. But we care about good governance of non-profits." |
| Even now, there are still question marks over whether Planned Parenthood programmes will be funded. While Komen altered its rules that would have rendered Planned Parenthood ineligible for future grants, it has never said it will fund them. | Even now, there are still question marks over whether Planned Parenthood programmes will be funded. While Komen altered its rules that would have rendered Planned Parenthood ineligible for future grants, it has never said it will fund them. |
| Shawn Elmore, development director at Komen's Phoenix affiliate, said he believed the organisation still needed to get to the bottom of what happened but that resignations by Brinker and the board were unnecessary. | Shawn Elmore, development director at Komen's Phoenix affiliate, said he believed the organisation still needed to get to the bottom of what happened but that resignations by Brinker and the board were unnecessary. |
| "HQ and the affiliates need to have a conversation about how it happened and how to move forward and how to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said. | "HQ and the affiliates need to have a conversation about how it happened and how to move forward and how to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said. |
| "I wouldn't want any more heads to roll. It would be a mistake to lose Nancy. In the 1980s when she began, no newspaper would even print the words 'breast cancer'. People and organisations make mistakes. You never want to be judged on the one worst mistake of your life." | "I wouldn't want any more heads to roll. It would be a mistake to lose Nancy. In the 1980s when she began, no newspaper would even print the words 'breast cancer'. People and organisations make mistakes. You never want to be judged on the one worst mistake of your life." |
| A number of Komen affiliates contacted by the Guardian said they were focusing on cleaning up the mess rather than dwelling on the decision. But the hurt was never far from the surface. | A number of Komen affiliates contacted by the Guardian said they were focusing on cleaning up the mess rather than dwelling on the decision. But the hurt was never far from the surface. |
| One spokeswoman said: "We have thousands and thousands of supporters and we have been doing life saving work for years. I hope people can forgive us and move on." | One spokeswoman said: "We have thousands and thousands of supporters and we have been doing life saving work for years. I hope people can forgive us and move on." |
| Komen's management of the crisis, in which it initially ignored criticism and offered contradictory explanations of its defunding decision, before reversing the policy altogether, is being held up an example of how not to conduct crisis management. | Komen's management of the crisis, in which it initially ignored criticism and offered contradictory explanations of its defunding decision, before reversing the policy altogether, is being held up an example of how not to conduct crisis management. |
| There is currently a vacancy for a PR director, which may explain the failure to respond to the situation sooner. | There is currently a vacancy for a PR director, which may explain the failure to respond to the situation sooner. |
| Sarah Durham, founder and principal at Big Duck, a communications firm for non-profits, said: "The situation is very sad. They mishandled the crisis significantly in the beginning and I don't think a resignation alone will resolve that." | Sarah Durham, founder and principal at Big Duck, a communications firm for non-profits, said: "The situation is very sad. They mishandled the crisis significantly in the beginning and I don't think a resignation alone will resolve that." |
| She points out that it is not the first time Komen has been involved in such a significant gaffe. | She points out that it is not the first time Komen has been involved in such a significant gaffe. |
| In 2010, Komen decided to partner with Kentucky Fried Chicken, sparking a "what the cluck" campaign against it by Breast Cancer Action, an education advocacy group. Among the risk factors associated with breast cancer is a high fat diet and obesity. | In 2010, Komen decided to partner with Kentucky Fried Chicken, sparking a "what the cluck" campaign against it by Breast Cancer Action, an education advocacy group. Among the risk factors associated with breast cancer is a high fat diet and obesity. |
| "The responsibility lies ultimately with Nancy Brinker," said Durham. "I wouldn't say she should step down, but I have a lot of reservations about her leadership." | "The responsibility lies ultimately with Nancy Brinker," said Durham. "I wouldn't say she should step down, but I have a lot of reservations about her leadership." |
| "Komen is a brand machine and they do a great job with it. They are used to driving the message. But they have to get more in touch with the grassroots conversation. They need a responsive team. Whether or not it was a political decision, it was perceived as a political decision. If everybody thinks it's a chicken, even if it's not a chicken, you should address the fact that people think it's a chicken." | "Komen is a brand machine and they do a great job with it. They are used to driving the message. But they have to get more in touch with the grassroots conversation. They need a responsive team. Whether or not it was a political decision, it was perceived as a political decision. If everybody thinks it's a chicken, even if it's not a chicken, you should address the fact that people think it's a chicken." |
| The furore over the Planned Parenthood decision has also brought heavy scrutiny to other aspects of Komen's operations. Critics, particularly within the research and philanthropic communities have questioned how it spends its money and its scientific approach to some issues. | The furore over the Planned Parenthood decision has also brought heavy scrutiny to other aspects of Komen's operations. Critics, particularly within the research and philanthropic communities have questioned how it spends its money and its scientific approach to some issues. |
| This week, a report by Reuters revealed that the charity, which defines its mission as finding a cure for breast cancer, has cut by nearly half the proportion of fund-raising dollars it spends on grants to scientists working to understand the causes and develop effective new treatments for the disease. | This week, a report by Reuters revealed that the charity, which defines its mission as finding a cure for breast cancer, has cut by nearly half the proportion of fund-raising dollars it spends on grants to scientists working to understand the causes and develop effective new treatments for the disease. |
| Angela Wall, of Breast Cancer Action (BCA), described the controversy as a "tipping point" which has supporters asking deeper questions then they had before. Wall cites people on her own facebook page who have raced or walked for Komen vowing "never again" and sending their T-shirts back. | Angela Wall, of Breast Cancer Action (BCA), described the controversy as a "tipping point" which has supporters asking deeper questions then they had before. Wall cites people on her own facebook page who have raced or walked for Komen vowing "never again" and sending their T-shirts back. |
| "People are starting to say: 'What's happening with the money, what's happening with breast cancer?' We are getting calls from people saying: 'Is the Pink Ribbon working for people or are people making money from women dying of cancer?'" | "People are starting to say: 'What's happening with the money, what's happening with breast cancer?' We are getting calls from people saying: 'Is the Pink Ribbon working for people or are people making money from women dying of cancer?'" |
| Komen needs to be more transparent and accountable "from top to bottom" said Wall. "It was a highly regrettable decision. It was always clear that the people who were going to suffer were the uninsured community, women of colour, the Latino community." | Komen needs to be more transparent and accountable "from top to bottom" said Wall. "It was a highly regrettable decision. It was always clear that the people who were going to suffer were the uninsured community, women of colour, the Latino community." |
| During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were about equal, but during 2001-2005 African American women had a 37% higher death rate. Komen supporters are worried that some of the very women who need breast cancer screening the most may lose out. | During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were about equal, but during 2001-2005 African American women had a 37% higher death rate. Komen supporters are worried that some of the very women who need breast cancer screening the most may lose out. |
| Kavita Das, a former programme director for Komen NYC, who now works for racial justice group Applied Research, said she was concerned that if people pull out of the Race for Life locally, then the funds will dry up and programmes run by the affiliates will disappear. | Kavita Das, a former programme director for Komen NYC, who now works for racial justice group Applied Research, said she was concerned that if people pull out of the Race for Life locally, then the funds will dry up and programmes run by the affiliates will disappear. |
| Das said: "My greatest worry is about the people most impacted. Women of colour, of low incomes. They were before the controversy and they will be after the controversy. What is the plan that these women will continue to get outreach, screening, treatment and support post-treatment?" | Das said: "My greatest worry is about the people most impacted. Women of colour, of low incomes. They were before the controversy and they will be after the controversy. What is the plan that these women will continue to get outreach, screening, treatment and support post-treatment?" |