The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation continues to be roiled by the uproar that has escalated in the wake of the organization's decision to discontinue funding to Planned Parenthood for breast screenings. Top officials at Komen have resigned in protest of the controversial move, which many believe was the result of bowing to pressure by anti-abortion groups. In addition, the seven California affiliates of Komen released a joint statement saying they oppose the cutting of donations to Planned Parenthood, and no less than 26 senators have called for Komen to reconsider.
A flood of money to Planned Parenthood has poured in since Wednesday. Among the donors to PP is New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg who pledged $250,000, saying, “Politics have no place in health care. Breast cancer screening saves lives, and hundreds of thousands of women rely on Planned Parenthood for access to care.”
However on the flip side, PP's president Cecile Richards, who has recently been the target of attacks by Republican presidential candidates, faced negative comments on social media sites from those who applaud the Komen position.
At a news conference on Thursday, the founder and CEO of Komen, Nancy G. Brinker, maintained that the abortion issue was not the motivating factor behind the pulling of PP funds. She said it had to do with a general overhaul of grantmaking. “We think this is the right thing to do from a stewardships standpoint,” she said.
