I have seen facebook posts, blogs, etc. etc, both condemning and praising Susan G. Komen for deciding to stop their funding of planned parenthood. The stated reason is because Planned Parenthood is under investigation. Planned parenthood claims it is because of pro-life advocates. The question I have is why Planned Parenthood was ever getting money from Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The mission statement of Planned Parenthood is below and clear fertility management. Susan G. Komen is for breast cancer research and cure. I understand that Planned Parenthood has some clinics (I believe app. 17% ) do some mammograms, but it is not a part of their mission statement. Why can’t Susan G. Komen decide to stop funding to an entity under investigation and whose stated mission is not breast cancer research or cure? Susan G. Komen made a choice to not continue funding to a pro-choice group with a different mission.
I guess the question is –Is pro-choice only ok if it is the choice you decide?
Planned Parenthood Federation of America–Mission Statement: A Reason for Being
Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual’s income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our organization are essential to our well-being. We believe that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual’s right to privacy. We further believe that such self-determination will contribute to an enhancement of the quality of life and strong family relationships.
Based on these beliefs, and reflecting the diverse communities within which we operate, the mission of Planned Parenthood is
- to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual
- to advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services
- to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality
- to promote research and the advancement of technology in reproductive health care and encourage understanding of their inherent bioethical, behavioral, and social implications
Providing funding for mammograms is certainly consistent with “complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual” Komen could have put strings on future donations so the money only goes to mammograms or basic breast cancer prevention awareness including instructional literature. Komen could have even reduced their funding. More importantly nothing has changed in Planned Parenthood’s mission statement since Komen began donations. This radical approach to pandering to pressure ignores the collateral effect not only to Planned Parenthood’s patients, but Komen will be affected by people like me that will discontinue donating to Komen. I hope others, like me, will find another cancer prevention group to donate to. It is interesting all the people who are donating to Planned Parenthood to make up this shortfall.
My issue is if you want you support either group do so, but I don’t believe most people cared about who sgk gave money to before it became a political issue.