In 2010, Eric Winer, M.D., Chief Scientific Advisor for Komen, published an open letter defending the funding of Planned Parenthood by Komen.
Miraculously, the letter is still available on their website (who knows for how long):
http://ww5.komen.org/...
It has some great quotes that are very relevant to the current controversy:
"[I]n some areas, the only place that poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services are through programs run by Planned Parenthood.
These facilities serve rural women, poor women, Native American women, women of color, an the un- and under-insured."
If you look on the Komen forums and elsewhere on the web, you will see many anti-abortion posters stating that ceasing funding to PP was appropriate because "abortions increase the chance of breast cancer." Well Dr. Winer has an answer for that too, that I encourage everyone to use in responding whenever they see this canard:
Another piece of misinformation being spread by many who criticize Komen for the Cure for its Planned Parenthood grants is that abortion causes breast cancer. Well conducted research consistently fails to support this claim. We agree with the bulk of scientific evidence – from the National Cancer Institute, Harvard, a rigorous study in Denmark and from Oxford University – that there is no conclusive link between breast cancer and induced abortion or miscarriage."
Finally, when as a social conservative you have lost Fox News, you know you are in deep trouble - just read this example of an actual fair and balanced report:
Sample quote:
A source with direct knowledge of decision-making at Komen's headquarters in Dallas gave a different account, saying the grant-making criteria were adopted with the deliberate intention of targeting Planned Parenthood. The criteria's impact on Planned Parenthood and its status as the focus of government investigations were highlighted in a memo distributed to Komen affiliates in December.
According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, a driving force behind the move was Karen Handel, who was hired by Komen last year as vice president for public policy after losing a campaign for governor in Georgia in which she stressed her anti-abortion views and frequently denounced Planned Parenthood.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/...
I gave my donation to Planned Parenthood yesterday - guess it was a day too early to qualify for Mayor Bloomberg's matching funds.