In search of a less disappointing cure

I think that it is amazing that there are organizations that take a stand against cancer.  Susan G. Komen For the Cure (do not mess with the name), which funds breast cancer research and provides grants to organizations that provide preventative screenings, is the best-known and best-funded breast cancer charity in the United States. Komen just announced that it will no longer provide grants to Planned Parenthood, as of this year. Although the organization declined to give a reason, many people believe that this is because the anti-choice stances of those who comprise Komen’s leadership.

I find it pretty galling that an organization that purports to want to eliminate breast cancer would remove a reliable source of low-cost mammograms from low-income women. I’m not omniscient, but it seems to me that the speculation over what prompted Komen to pull this funding is probably dead on. Still, I’ll leave the expressions of annoyance/outrage/disappointment to those who express things better than I do. My response is simple: first, I will never again knowingly purchase something that funds the Komen organization. I’m not defeatist, and I don’t think that any non-discriminating cancer charity should suffer in the fallout over this. Instead, I’ll keep funding Planned Parenthood (as will a lot of other people who are upset over Komen’s move) and also donate to the Young Survival Coalition, which seems to have a more expansive view of what a breast cancer organization can do for people than Komen does (based on their partners).

Pink really isn’t my color anyway (in case you’re wondering what is: harlot red).