Dallas-based Komen Foundation apologizes, plans to restore Planned Parenthood grants

[brooklynite]

Star-Telegram:

Dallas-based Susan G. Komen Foundation posted a Tweet on Friday morning saying it had reversed its decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood's breast-cancer screening programs.

"Our funding to @PPact clinics continues this year at more than $250k; women served through PP grants will be served still."

Statement from the Komen Foundation CEO:

"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives.

The events of this week have been deeply unsettling for our supporters, partners and friends and all of us at Susan G. Komen. We have been distressed at the presumption that the changes made to our funding criteria were done for political reasons or to specifically penalize Planned Parenthood. They were not.

Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.

Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

It is our hope and we believe it is time for everyone involved to pause, slow down and reflect on how grants can most effectively and directly be administered without controversies that hurt the cause of women. We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue. We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics - anyone's politics.

Starting this afternoon, we will have calls with our network and key supporters to refocus our attention on our mission and get back to doing our work. We ask for the public's understanding and patience as we gather our Komen affiliates from around the country to determine how to move forward in the best interests of the women and people we serve.

We extend our deepest thanks for the outpouring of support we have received from so many in the past few days and we sincerely hope that these changes will be welcomed by those who have expressed their concern."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. What about the stem cell research funding they cut off in November?

[GodlessBiker]

4. Yep. They really proved themselves to be untrustworthy. They'll try again to cut this funding ...

in the dead of night or something.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. As long as wingnuts are running that outfit

they can't be considered a "neutral" charity. There are plenty of other organizations that do breast cancer research and awareness, and those are the ones that deserve our donations unless and until SGK can demonstrate that it doesn't have a right wing agenda.

[Phlem]

69. +1

-p

[monmouth]

41. Should absolutely be restored. I assumed it was included. I should know

better than to assume, right?...LOL.

[maddezmom]

2. PP should take the money but I'll never give another dime to SGK

or participate in any funding.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

26. That's gonna be a problem for SGK going forward

I've heard many express that same sentiment.

[barbtries]

35. i certainly share it.

i've learned so much about SGK this week.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/komen-foundation-charities-cure_n_793176.html

[mulsh]

46. me too:

From the Huffington article:

Komen's general counsel, Jonathan Blum, told HuffPost that the fundraising powerhouse tries to be reasonable when dealing with small charities and nonprofits, but that it has a legal duty to protect its more than 200 registered trademarks.

"It's never our goal to shut down a nonprofit," he said, "and we try very hard to be reasonable, but it's still our obligation to make sure that our trademarks are used appropriately so there's no confusion in the marketplace over where people's money is going."


I think the only way to be sure of "where people's money is going" is to no longer give any to Komen.

[GodlessBiker]

54. Yes. And now the wingnuts are going to avoid them for reversing course. They are screwed.

[Arugula Latte]

39. They've been exposed, and not just for their rightwing bent at the top

There is the issue of them using a small percentage toward research, blocking stem cell research, going after others who dare use "...for the cure," etc.

[hamsterjill]

44. My thoughts exactly.

While I'll continue to support breast cancer research, I will do it through other avenues.

[gristy]

3. Well, how about that?

Let's see some resignations. Keep the pressure on, everybody.

[OKNancy]

5. from the "de-fund the Komen Foundation site": wait to celebrate

From the page De-fund the Komen Foundation:
In light of the "breaking news" that Komen has reversed its decision: PLEASE WAIT TO CELEBRATE.

The official statement issued was that they will "honor existing grants" (which only means they won't demand the already granted money back) and that PP is free to apply again in the future - to which Handel already stated publicly yesterday that even if they apply again, they are unlikely to give them anymore grants due to much of PP's mammography services being referrals to off-site radiology labs and that they are, quote: "moving away from 'pass-through' services."

(In other words, PP is still screwed after SGK finishes giving them the money they owe, but that's IT. Unfortunately this is hardly a "reversal" and after they finish paying out the grant they owe, they are still leaving all the women that PP would be funding out in the cold. Think about that.)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/De-fund-the-Komen-Foundation/171880872914883

[yardwork]

6. In other words, Komen is lying again.

[OKNancy]

11. I'm not sure. guess we will have to see what happens next

OOPS - I won't delete the statement, but I see it was added by the OP on edit.......


Here is the complete statement

Full text of Komen for the Cure statement from Nancy Brinker and the Susan G. Komen Board of Directors:

"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives. The events of this week have been deeply unsettling for our supporters, partners and friends and all of us at Susan G. Komen. We have been distressed at the presumption that the changes made to our funding criteria were done for political reasons or to specifically penalize Planned Parenthood. They were not.

"Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.

"Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

"It is our hope and we believe it is time for everyone involved to pause, slow down and reflect on how grants can most effectively and directly be administered without controversies that hurt the cause of women. We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue. We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics - anyone's politics.

"Starting this afternoon, we will have calls with our network and key supporters to refocus our attention on our mission and get back to doing our work. We ask for the public's understanding and patience as we gather our Komen affiliates from around the country to determine how to move forward in the best interests of the women and people we serve.

"We extend our deepest thanks for the outpouring of support we have received from so many in the past few days and we sincerely hope that these changes will be welcomed by those who have expressed their concern.

"Supporters are rallying around Planned Parenthood after renowned breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure decided to cut breast screening grants to the reproductive health organization." --

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. So, they ADMIT their criteria was based on POLITICAL investigations.

Which should have never been a criteria in the first place.

"amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political."

[pkdu]

9. Ding Ding Ding Ding......

We have a winner!

[denverbill]

7. Screw them.

I have a friend who had breast cancer. She participated in rallies, raised money for them, etc. They kept offering her help but when she actually asked them for things they had told her they would provide, they never gave her what they promised.

The only way I'd even think about donating to them again is if they wipe out their entire leadership team and appoint some completely non-partisan or even partisan liberal leadership. Given their current makeup, I suspect they are just using the organization as a money-making scam for themselves. Greed is good, after all.

[Boombaby]

15. I've never donated to them

The wife of a close pal of mine used to work there. She quit because---her own words---it's a "scam factory."

[barbtries]

37. wow.

i'd love to hear her story.

[Lebam in LA]

8. Too Little, Too Late n/t

[peace frog]

21. You said it!

Komen has proved itself unworthy of our support. In future I'm going straight to the source, Planned Parenthood.

[snacker]

24. Exactly! n/t

[kestrel91316]

10. Put the RW on the run, folks. Don't let's let up the pressure on christofascism.

[LiberalEsto]

45. "christofascism" is a great term

to describe the fright-wing movement!

[kestrel91316]

53. I've been using it for 10 years. It seems the most appropriate description of them.

[avebury]

12. And they think that this will work? LMAO! Why donate any money to an

organization that has proven itself to be so untrustworthy.

[monmouth]

13. When that Palin endorsed Handel person is gone from this organization, I will re-assess

the situation, not before.

[otohara]

36. She Should Be Fired

or walk away for this self inflicted PR disaster w/o a golden parachute.

I won't hold my breath.

[Swede Atlanta]

14. With me you don't get a second chance.......

Never again any money or support for the pink ribbons. Any money I would normally give to the Race for the Cure will now be given to Planned Parenthood. Sorry Komen, when you thought you could hoodwink the American public into your made up story when we know it was your frothing-at-the-mouth new VP Karen Handel that caused this, you failed. Bye-bye now and forever.

[SusanaMontana41]

60. Once a year, my son is forced to wear pink shirts and pink ribbons at his job to support research.

Now we know that the pink ribbons only show support for Komen.

What should he do that won't get him fired?

Corporate America sucks.

[Sherman A1]

61. I would wait to see what happens this year

his workplace may consider it to be too much of a hot potato to proceed this year, however, he should do whatever necessary to keep his job. Wearing a pink shirt is hardly a big deal.

[TBF]

16. Until the leadership team (including Brinker and Handel)

is completely replaced - along with the board that hired them - I have no interest in this reich-wing group.

They can shove their lies.

[MarkCharles]

17. In other words, we at Komen are learning how to lie better...

and pull the wool over people's eyes.

We at Komen are fearing for our jobs, and want to keep the $ pouring in.

Let's ask for a full audit of SGK's funds for the last few years, including complete listings of whom they employ at any executive level, and what they are paid.

This is the end of Komen. They cannot be trusted with our money!

[BumRushDaShow]

18. Too late. Bridges burned all the way to teabagger land. n/t

[still_one]

27. not if they fire those responsible for this stupid decision /nt

[OKNancy]

19. well... I'm still going to rec this thread

because no matter how shitty they have been, it's still a win. Even if it is just to make them look more ridiculous.

[izquierdista]

20. What's that saying they have down in Dallas?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice......er,.....fool me, can't get fooled again?

[yardwork]

23. DUzy

[LetTimmySmoke]

22. Hey religious right:

[still_one]

25. Bloomberg also reported that they are restoring funding to Planned Parenthood. What they should do

is fire those involved in the decision to politicize this. Those in charge should only be concerned with what will save lives, not a political agenda, and they should be dismissed

[grantcart]

29. Made my day. Great News

[global1]

30. Be Wary - Komen Showed Their True Stripes And Only Backed Down .......

based on the thought that the backlash from their actions might hurt their ability to fundraise and ultimately the back pockets of their executives.

We know what direction they have been moving toward and that it has political overtones. They still only use about 40% of what they collect for breast cancer research. We know that their executives are highly paid and that they have high administrative costs.

Yes they have shown their true colors. They didn't expect the backlash and media attention that they received from this action on PP. You can bet your boots that if this didn't get the attention that it did - that they would continue to push their political agenda.

[dballance]

31. Go Pound Sand Komen

You think we're ever going to trust you as a non-partisan organization that really helps women now? Don't be stupid. You are now obviously a political organization that has an agenda that is really not in the best interest of women. Give it a shot trying to deny it. Karen Handel is just a hater. You really need to get rid of her. She is your public policy wonk? With the bias and stupidity she has you really are alienating the world. As you may have noticed with the backlash to your Planed Parenthood decision.

Buh Bye Karen Handel. Go away and please be barren. We certainly don't need people like you reproducing.

[crazylikafox]

32. I spot weasel words in that statement. "Our funding continues this year..."

at more than 250k". I thought they had funded over $600,000???? Where's the rest of the money? I think others on this thread are right. They're just counting what they've already spent & trying to buy themselves more time.

[PassingFair]

33. Smells like WIN to me!

I'm hoping its an indicator that ethical men and women of the United States
will NEVER allow our country to slip back to the Pre-Roe vs. Wade days.

Way to raise a STINK internets!!!!!!1!

[Javaman]

49. Sadly, it's not. Read post #5.

I thought the same thing as you, but sadly, it's all in the wording.

komen will never ever get another dime from me.

My former donation to them now goes directly to Planned parenthood.

[PassingFair]

50. We've turned over their rock.

Planned Parenthood wins.

We win.

The right-wing board of Komen LOSES.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

34. They've already shown their true colors. nt

[MarkCharles]

38. True colors is right! How quickly pink turns to

yellow as a chicken.

[yellowcanine]

40. Unfortunately they just had to add a paragraph which did a little blame shifting.......

It is our hope and we believe it is time for everyone involved to pause, slow down and reflect on how grants can most effectively and directly be administered without controversies that hurt the cause of women.

Your actions caused the "controversy" Komen, so what is this talk of "everyone involved"?

The people objecting did NOT cause the controversy. And hate to break it to you Komen, but some heads are going to have to roll or your seriousness about this is still in question.

[young_at_heart]

42. When they hired Karen Handel they revealed their politicized agenda

Maybe there will be positive consequences that will force this "foundation" to reassess their manner of "helping" women.

[KamaAina]

43. "disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political."

So what about thr $7.5 million to Penn State?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

47. Do I sense a little passive aggressiveness with this statement?

We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics - anyone's politics.

Yep. I do.

It wasn't "anyone's" politics. It was YOUR politics that marred your mission.

[CherokeeDem]

48. I agree with the poster who said..too little, too late...

I will donate to Planned Parenthood directly from now on and no more of my money or time will go to the Komen Foundation. I intend on finding another breast cancer organization to devote time and money to after this. We all know that Komen realized what a huge blunder they made...again...too little, too late.

[AmandaRuth]

52. the only news that i want out of Komen Dallas

is that Karen Handel and Elizabeth Thompson have resigned.

And I want to know just how much Komen has been paying Handel "for consulting", which will be revealed in the next Komen tax return.

[DonCoquixote]

55. Sorry Susan

Bust if the last three years of the Obama admin has taught us anything, it is that we do not rush to make nice with people that tried to slit our throats, especially when we know you will try to finish the job the first chance you get. From here on in, it's no quarter given.

[Demonaut]

56. nice, I predict another charity will rise to the challenge...Rethink Pink?

[UCmeNdc]

57. They need to fire some people

Susan G. Komen Foundation should fire their leadership. How can they continue to support such mismanagement?

[FOOTDOK]

58. susan komen

just shows how powerfully the internet can be for good things.

[Evasporque]

59. NEW WORLD RECORD 100m Backpedal....

Susan G. Komen Foundation

[Robb]

62. Good. Now sack the executive staff and replace the board.

[underpants]

65. I agree - they clearly bowed to their new anti-choice PR person ~AND~ they admit it was political

"We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. "

[Robb]

66. It was funny, this morning I asked Mrs. Robb if she'd heard about all this

...she hadn't, but before I even opened my mouth to tell her what had actually taken place, she was railing on about how she'd always known they were crooked, something never felt right about "that woman on TV" etc. etc.

Nice to see you.

[underpants]

67. I just told Mrs. Underpants about this

She told me aobut a staunchly conservative friend of our -- oh who is Catholic -- who my wife had to drive to a Planned Parenthood clinic when they were on a business trip because she had forgotten her birthcontrol pills.

Planned Parenthood, as you know, IS THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE for about 3 million women.

[csziggy]

63. One of the things that bothers me is defunding solely because of an investigation

Any congress critter can call for an investigation on a whim, so this gives an excuse to de-fund on a whim. Look at what happened to ACORN. The organization was eventually found not at fault, but the damage had already been done - they lost so much funding that a valuable asset for many communities was destroyed.

I think it was Rachel Maddow last night who said that although there had been questions about Planned Parenthood raised in September, they had ALREADY responded to those allegations with proof that they were not using federal funds for anything related to their abortion services. (Or maybe I read it here.) So before the Komen fund cut off their money to PP, PP had already proved their innocence of the charges.

Of course, a right wing congress person who wanted to smear them is not going to state definitively that they are cleared - he would want to keep that question alive just so crap like this will happen. It does not fit into his plan to tear apart any institution that helps people.

If "corporations are people" aren't they entitled to the policy of "innocent until found guilty" just as individuals are?

[Skittles]

64. TOO LATE

they have been exposed - I LOVE IT.

[Phlem]

71. yep

-p

[donheld]

68. It was a Faux Apology.

[lunatica]

70. Our voices count

I'm kind of surprised after Bush's obvious deafness to us, but very happy to know we are heard again.

[caseymoz]

72. Sorry. There's a difference between a mistake and a scheme.

You can't say, "We've learned from our errors."

No, this wasn't an error. And error is where miss a stop sign or forget to floss that morning.

This wasn't an error. This was a scheme SK got caught in, and they were in cahoots with RWers in Congress. SK thought they could cover it by pointing to a Congressional investigation which was started just as an excuse to defund PP.

The good news is, Congress creatures can now also see the width and depth of Planned Parenthood's support. This isn't ACORN. They'll be having some second thoughts about investigating and defunding it. If they're smart.

[lark]

73. don't believe SGK, they are lying

They are still paying Ari Fleischer, the president & VP are big time repug donators. I repeat, don't trust them one bit. I thank them for the 3million they raised for Planned Parenthood thru their total incompetency, but the curtain has been removed, we know now who is behind this. I, as a 2x cancer survivor, have thrown all the pink ribbon things people have given me, will not take part or contribute to anything they sponsor. They still don't give a shit about poor women and would rather we die than get help from Planned parenthood. Fuck them. They little seeming retreat is just another rw fraud and while I'm glad the funding will continue this year, would be amazed if PP receives any money next year when SGK thinks the heat is off.