‘Race for the Cure’ raises millions for breast cancer
Published: October 1, 2004
Event also funnels thousands to Planned Parenthood.
In some ways, it’s hard to say no to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. The organization, which has dozens of affiliates across the country that hold well-known “Race for the Cure” fund-raisers, has raised more money for breast cancer research than any other private organization in the country.
The nonprofit charity was founded in 1982 by Nancy Brinker, who made a promise to her dying sister, Susan B. Komen, that she would do everything she could to fight breast cancer. Komen died of the disease at age 36. Since then, the Komen Foundation has raised more than $240 million to fight a disease that is expected to take the lives of nearly 40,000 women this year alone.
And yet, last year the Komen Foundation gave nearly a half million dollars in grant money to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. For many pro-lifers, that makes supporting both the pro-life movement and the Komen Foundation problematic.
Not every local Komen Foundation chapter gives grant money to Planned Parenthood. Each affiliate decides to which groups in the community it will award Race for the Cure funds for breast cancer research and prevention. But according to the Komen Foundation’s national office, 21 affiliates across the country awarded a total of more than $475,000 to Planned Parenthood clinics in just last year.
The Komen Foundation is quick to point out that the grant money awarded to any organization, including Planned Parenthood, may only be used for breast cancer programs.
“All community grants are restricted to provide vital breast health education, screening and treatment services for underserved women,” the Komen Foundation said in a statement.
But Barbara Holt, director of the pro-life North Carolina Right to Life, said it doesn’t matter if the Komen dollars that are given to Planned Parenthood are used only for breast cancer programs.
“That just frees up money for other things,” she said.
“Things like promoting abortions, paying for the facilities where abortions take place, and paying the salaries of those who facilitate abortions,” Holt said.
That’s something that the thousands of runners in “Race for the Cure” fund-raisers across the country should consider, Holt said—especially pro-lifers, who she said should be “loathed to give money to the Komen Foundation if they think Planned Parenthood could get any of those dollars.”
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