A word on Susan G. Komen for the cure
Scott Crisp
Issue date: 10/14/08 Section: Commentary
With the recent decision to sever ties with the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Dig for a Cure program, it seems that reason and the quest for knowledge, two supposed pillars of UD, have been overlooked completely in a frantic and misguided rush to uphold the moral fiber of the university.
The decision came as a result of a flood of angry e-mails from people opposed to the idea of supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as they contribute a small portion of their funds to Planned Parenthood. In their minds, it would seem, Planned Parenthood equals abortion.
This is just not the case. Yes, it is true that some Komen affiliates provide restricted grants for local Planned Parenthoods, restricted being the operative word. Surprising as it may be, it turns out Planned Parenthood is a bit more than a dark and sinister abortion factory. The money donated by Komen affiliates goes to screening and other women's health services in low-income areas. The Komen foundation does not, in any way, provide money for abortions. But then, why all the fuss?
Well, it seems that a group of angry and misinformed 'Crusaders' were concerned for our morals as a community. For this, I am grateful. However, in this case, one's stance on abortion is of no consequence whatsoever. Granted, Planned Parenthood does provide abortions. They are also the sole avenue for women's health services in many impoverished areas throughout the country. Again, grants from Komen affiliates go only to women's health services. To vilify the Susan G. Komen Foundation in this light is nothing less than short-sighted and ignorant.
A great deal of companies without Komen for the Cure's gleaming reputation donate graciously to Planned Parenthood. Included in this litany of companies are Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Time Warner and, the local favorite, Taco Bell. It seems a bit hypocritical that people most likely typed out slanderous e-mails about a four-star charity on a Microsoft or an IBM, both Planned Parenthood supporters. And I doubt Microsoft or IBM have raised over $1 billion for breast cancer research, education and health services, though I am only guessing.
The decision came as a result of a flood of angry e-mails from people opposed to the idea of supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as they contribute a small portion of their funds to Planned Parenthood. In their minds, it would seem, Planned Parenthood equals abortion.
This is just not the case. Yes, it is true that some Komen affiliates provide restricted grants for local Planned Parenthoods, restricted being the operative word. Surprising as it may be, it turns out Planned Parenthood is a bit more than a dark and sinister abortion factory. The money donated by Komen affiliates goes to screening and other women's health services in low-income areas. The Komen foundation does not, in any way, provide money for abortions. But then, why all the fuss?
Well, it seems that a group of angry and misinformed 'Crusaders' were concerned for our morals as a community. For this, I am grateful. However, in this case, one's stance on abortion is of no consequence whatsoever. Granted, Planned Parenthood does provide abortions. They are also the sole avenue for women's health services in many impoverished areas throughout the country. Again, grants from Komen affiliates go only to women's health services. To vilify the Susan G. Komen Foundation in this light is nothing less than short-sighted and ignorant.
A great deal of companies without Komen for the Cure's gleaming reputation donate graciously to Planned Parenthood. Included in this litany of companies are Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Time Warner and, the local favorite, Taco Bell. It seems a bit hypocritical that people most likely typed out slanderous e-mails about a four-star charity on a Microsoft or an IBM, both Planned Parenthood supporters. And I doubt Microsoft or IBM have raised over $1 billion for breast cancer research, education and health services, though I am only guessing.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Lisa Nolin
posted 10/15/08 @ 2:08 PM CST
FICTION:
"In their minds, it would seem, Planned Parenthood equals abortion. This is just not the case."
FACT:
Planned Parenthood is the #1 abortion provider in the United States. (Continued…)
harrison
posted 10/15/08 @ 2:55 PM CST
considering that aborition is less than 5% of what planned parenthood does, i would say, definitively, that planned parenthood does NOT equal abortion-planned parenthood PREVENTS more abortions than it provides through family planning services that offer things such as birth control and condoms than any anti-choice group has through protesting or pregnancy "crisis" centers
remember, preventing pregnancy is not the same thing as ending a pregnancy
1 in 4 women have received services from planned parenthood-like cancer screening, sti screening and treatment, birth control, condoms, sex education
so, the next time that you see a young mother struggling to get through the line at walmart with her 4 or 5 kids and you think "what a shame" or "why on earth did she have so many?" maybe you'll remember that planned parenthood is there to help PREVENT unwanted pregnancies through methods that have nothing to do with abortion
David Cavnar
posted 10/21/08 @ 9:22 PM CST
We live in such a troubling and trying time. Especially in our colleges, the influences and pressures are enourmous. In regards to this issue, it is my opinion that information is the key to knowledge. (Continued…)
Daniel Hill
posted 10/22/08 @ 5:50 PM CST
You can't simply reduce abortion funding to a "relatively small percentage". Fact is fact. Susan G. Komen supports Planned Parenthood, which supports abortion. (Continued…)
Alan Charnock
posted 10/23/08 @ 12:16 PM CST
As regards this issue, there is a morally gray area. The good is that Komen raises billions of dollars to save the lives of women who have breast cancer, and the bad is that a minimal amount of Komen donations go to Planned Parenthood. (Continued…)
Mike Johnson
posted 11/14/08 @ 5:34 AM CST
In 2007 about 40,460 women died from breast cancer and 178,400 were diagnosed with the disease. If Planned Parenthood kills 280,000 per year, I guess what is being said is that it is okay to kill 7 babies to try to save one adult woman. (Continued…)
Daniel Hill
posted 11/17/08 @ 1:15 PM CST
I don't think it is a matter of the greater good. Mike Johnson makes the point all too clear. You can't say that the dollars going toward PP are insignificant. (Continued…)
Jodi Baxter
posted 11/21/08 @ 1:56 PM CST
I have to agree with the true Catholics who are arguing for boycotting Susan G. Komen because they support Planned Parenthood.
Any funding given to Planned Parenthood, restricted or otherwise, is funding for an organization founded by a woman firmly entrenched in the eugenics movement. (Continued…)
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