Komen's Decision to Stop Supporting Planned Parenthood

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an important organization dedicated to breast cancer research, recently stopped its financial support of Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood received $120,000 in annual grants from Komen, which made up half of its yearly budget for breast health care. Although the money received from the foundation was not used to fund abortions, many are speculating that Komen cut ties due to political pressure from pro-life activists.

Being pro-choice, I do not support Komen's decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood, and find it disappointing that an organization of such a high status would give into pressure and directly affect thousands of women nationwide as a result. I believe that it is worse for a woman to have a child that she doesn't want or cannot care for than to have an abortion. According to a report done by The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, there are over 400,000 children in foster care today. If a woman has a baby for the sole reason that she has no other choice, that number will increase, as well as the number of children who are neglected, abused, and financially unstable.


Furthermore, the money Planned Parenthood received from the Komen Foundation was used strictly for breast health care, such as breast exams and mammogram referrals. Both organizations are dedicated to women's health, and it is disappointing that such a large and influential organization would put political pressure over what it truly stands for. As Sue Dunlap, chief executive of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said, "I think when women's health is more of a political conversation than a conversation about healthcare and taking care of people, then we've gone too far."