by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | May 30, 2012
From the May 2012 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Komen for the Cure urging focus on key goal.
In late January, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was all over the news, but it wasn’t receiving the positive press the organization usually enjoyed. Instead, battle lines were drawn with supporters of Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood facing off.
The leading fundraiser for breast cancer research and screenings had halted grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars for all but three Planned Parenthood affiliates, citing a new policy of not funding organizations under congressional investigation. The investigation, introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., alleges that Planned Parenthood spent public money to fund abortions.
Planned Parenthood turned to the media to get the story out and the uproar was significant. On the Komen side, spokespersons denied that the grant cuts were influenced by an anti-abortion agenda. Yet, Karen Handel, senior vice president for public policy at Komen since April, 2011, was a focal point, due to a very strong and public history of pro-life support.
Funding for Komen for the Cure from those siding with Planned Parenthood dropped, or in some cases, was diverted directly to Planned Parenthood, ultimately more than making up for the grant cuts, with New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg personally pledging $250,000 to offset the anticipated funding shortfall. Funding rolled in to Komen from those supporting the decision. A handful of top Komen officials at headquarters and in regional chapters resigned in protest of the grant cuts. Overall, it wasn’t a good situation for an organization held in high esteem for three decades, with a noble mission, so damage control began.
The decision was quickly reversed, reestablishing the grants. Komen founder Nancy Brinker announced Handel’s resignation on February 7 and urged the public to move past the controversy and again focus on the mission the organization has championed for 30 years. Not everyone has been willing to let it go, with some still calling for Brinker’s resignation. And some high-level resignations have continued to trickle in. Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. stepped down from his position as chairman, but stayed on the board, citing increased commitments at Howard University, where he’s a professor of surgery. But for the most part, the reversal has placated the majority, and Planned Parenthood has appreciated the renewed relationship.
Leslie Aun, vice president of communications with Komen spoke with DOTmed Business News and put the situation in perspective. “Susan G. Komen for the Cure provides 2,000 community health grants across the United States, adding up to about $102 million. We also provided another $67 million in scientific grants. Of the 2,000 grants, 22 were for Planned Parenthood,” she said.
Aun acknowledged that attendance at races held shortly after the controversy broke had lower attendance than usual and fundraising suffered as well. But since the decision’s reversal about a dozen races have occurred and the trend has been positive with one race in Roanoke, Va. raising more than it had the year prior. “We’re cautiously optimistic that things will improve,” she said.
Although not as wide ranging and certainly not publically derided like the Planned Parenthood grant cuts, Komen turns down grants every year, simply out of necessity. Aun said the organization simply receives more grant requests than can be funded. So a detailed process of community research is carried out to determine who should get the funding and what amount they should receive.
Ultimately, the message Aun wants to stress is that Komen’s mission isn’t one of politics, it’s a focus on putting an end to breast cancer.
