Earlier this week we were forwarded an email that an individual had received the from Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Here it is:
Dear —-,
Thanks very much for writing to share your concern with us. Recent questions have arisen regarding a limited number of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® community grants to Planned Parenthood breast health programs, specifically those designed to provide screening mammograms for vulnerable populations, e.g., low-income and uninsured women.
Currently, 19 Komen for the Cure Affiliates award 19 local grants specifically to Planned Parenthood-sponsored programs in their communities to pay for breast cancer education and breast screenings.
When a mammogram is indicated, a patient is often referred to a local program, such as the state’s breast and cervical cancer program. In other cases, the Komen Affiliate’s grant to Planned Parenthood may include funds to pay for mammograms outright. When this happens, a local provider performs the mammogram, and is then reimbursed by Planned Parenthood using the Komen grant funds.
During the past five years, these grants have paid for the following education and screenings:
- Breast cancer and breast health education for nearly 160,000 women
- Clinical breast exams for more than 139,000 women
- 4,866 mammograms
- Detection of 177 breast cancers
Overall, Komen Affiliates provide funding for 2,000 community programs that provide screenings, education and financial and social support to women and their families. This funding is based on a thorough assessment of the breast health and support programs available in an Affiliate’s service area.
The limited number of Komen Affiliates that fund Planned Parenthood breast programs do so after this same thorough assessment; the funds are then reviewed twice-yearly to ensure that they are being used only for their intended breast health programs.
We know breast health education and early detection programs, particularly among vulnerable populations, are essential to reduce mortality from breast cancer. Indeed, today’s five-year survival rate is 98 percent for breast cancers caught early, before they’ve spread from the breast.
We hope this information helps to clear up any misinformation that you may have heard.
Thank you, again.
Sincerely,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
A couple of points:
- It appears that Komen is getting more inquiries about their affiliation with top US abortion provider Planned Parenthood based on this statement: “Recent questions have arisen regarding a limited number of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® community grants to Planned Parenthood”
- Notice how Komen plays down their donations to Planned Parenthood by saying a “limited number” of Komen grants have gone to PP.
- Planned Parenthood doesn’t do mammograms themselves. Why then is Komen giving grants to Planned Parenthood to then in turn pay non-Planned Parenthood health centers to provide mammograms? Why not grant funds directly to the centers performing mammograms?
- Why is Komen’s giving to the largest abortion provider in the United States. Millions of pro-life women do not feel comfortable going to an abortion clinic to get non-abortion services. Why not give the funds to a non-controversial community health center that all women in the community feel comfortable visiting?
