A must for risk communication (and that's what Susan G. Komen for the Cure is in need of, similar to when Tylenol capsules were poisoned) is to get the story straight (and make it the truth).
From the Washington Post:
Komen gives new explanation for cutting funds to Planned Parenthood
Komen had said the decision was the result of newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations under investigation — affecting Planned Parenthood because of an inquiry by a Republican congressman.
On Thursday, Komen President Elizabeth Thompson told reporters that the funding decision was unrelated to the investigation into whether Planned Parenthood was illegally using federal funds to pay for abortions.
Well, that's not "getting your story straight," and the result is reflected in the NY Times headline:
Outcry Grows Fiercer After Funding Cut by Cancer Group
Her comments directly contradicted those of John D. Raffaelli, a Komen board member and Washington lobbyist, who told The New York Times on Wednesday that Komen made the changes to its grant-making process specifically to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood. Mr. Raffaelli said that Komen had become increasingly worried that an investigation of Planned Parenthood by Representative Cliff Stearns, Republican of Florida, would damage Komen’s credibility with donors.
Continue reading below the fold.
The video of Nancy Brinker, with the many dislikes, adds to the shifting stories. That's also put the Komen state affiliates in a terrible position. For example, from the same NY Times story:
All seven California affiliates of the organization, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, released a statement saying they opposed its decision.
Here's the Facebook page from the
Connecticut affiliate:
"The decision regarding the funding of Planned Parenthood was made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Headquarters. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut enjoys a great partnership with Planned Parenthood, and is currently funding Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. We understand, and share, in the frustration around this situation. We hope that any investigation prohibiting Planned Parenthood from receiving Komen grants is promptly resolved."
and via the
LA Times:
Ann Hogan, the president of the local [CT] group's board of directors, said that she learned of headquarters' decision to cut funding for breast health services at Planned Parenthood earlier this winter and had been "very surprised."
"We didn't have input," she said.
The firestorm is in no way dissipating. Komen is making it worse, not better, with their inconsistent answers, that by the way,
don't appear to be truthful.
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