Cancer Charity Caves to Pro-abortion Political Pressure

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, a women’s cancer charity that earlier this week announced that it would remove its funding of the abortion giant Planned Parenthood, may be reversing course.

In a statement released today, Komen for the Cure “apologize[d] to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission.” It further stated:

We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

Earlier this week the cancer foundation had pulled its funding for Planned Parenthood because they were under a congressional investigation. However, the statement today provides, “We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.”

Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards, immediately praised the move, stating:

In recent weeks, the treasured relationship between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and Planned Parenthood has been challenged, and we are now heartened that we can continue to work in partnership toward our shared commitment to breast health for the most underserved women . . . . We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders and volunteers.

There are reports that this change in criteria means that Komen will honor funding to all 19 Planned Parenthood clinics and will allow them to apply for future funding.

While Komen claims “politics has no place in our grant process,” it is exactly political pressure from pro-abortion proponents that led Komen to change their policy. This hypocrisy must be called out. Komen’s decision earlier this week to prevent funding from going to an abortion organization under investigation was the right decision, and it is very disappointing that this valuable cancer charity appears to be caving to the abortion industry.

It is unclear under Komen’s new funding policy whether Planned Parenthood will qualify for future funding. We will continue to keep you informed as more details about this decision come forward.