In aftermath of Komen funding flap, fewer sign up for race

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

In aftermath of Komen funding flap, fewer sign up for race
May 20, 2012
By Ellen Creager
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer


Walk or stay home?

As the Detroit Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure approaches Saturday, women are struggling with torn loyalties in the wake of the Planned Parenthood funding controversy.

"This year, I am going to be walking in the race but also handing out stickers saying, 'I stand with Planned Parenthood,' " said Irene Swerdlow-Freed, 56, of West Bloomfield, a breast cancer survivor who has walked most years since 2006. "I do have friends who are not walking in the race this year and who are not willing to donate."

-snip-

The trouble began in January, when the national Komen headquarters in Dallas abruptly announced it would stop funding Planned Parenthood's breast health services. After a firestorm of criticism, it reversed its policy. But the damage was done.

Some recent Race for the Cure events have reported a decline in the number of participants. Lansing's race last month was down 28%. Boise, Idaho, fell 37%. Salt Lake City was down 25%.


Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120520/NEWS01/205200468/In-aftermath-of-Komen-funding-flap-fewer-sign-up-for-race?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[Dawson Leery]

1. ................

[madmax]

13. Yes, only double.

No race, no donations, no buying any products that contribute to Komen. They've lost me forever. I will donate directly to PP and more than I donated to Komen.

[JNelson6563]

2. Good. I'd rather donate to PP.

I am glad many others are doing the same.

Julie

[Swede Atlanta]

3. I think the Komen Foundation did themselves in....

They may not disappear this year or next but the trend will be downhill because they gave into political interests.

A non-profit needs to be true to its stated purpose, in this case, addressing breast cancer. If that is your purpose then you need to embrace and support any effort that addresses that horrible disease. You can't pick and choose when an affiliated organization, through a totally separate entity, performs activities with which you may disagree.

I hate to say it but I relish the day when there is no Komen Walk and men and women contribute to meaningful causes that actually get at the issue, support public funding for research and treatment.

Enough with the shallow, meaningless non-profit whores.

[goclark]

8. Thanks for letting us know

[crunch60]

10. This is a great organization, can tell you the best non profit to support. lots of good info.

http://www.breastcancer.org/

[Faygo Kid]

4. Went to college with Ellen.

Excellent writer, and good to hear this.

[NC_Nurse]

5. Not only did they step in it big time with the Planned Parenthood debacle, but it caused a ripple

effect where people were exposed to the facts about where the money was going. The amount of funds going to actual research was minimal compared to the "outreach" which was a nice face to put on promotion. They were pimping out their brand in the guise of education so they could rake in the dollars and pay high salaries and get companies a cheap way to appear supportive of the cause. They had pink marketing schemes for all sorts of crap - even fried chicken, and the actual amount they got from those companies was a tiny percentage of each purchase.

Pink propaganda for a bunch of Repub business women who found themselves a cash cow. Ugh.

[uppityperson]

6. A local grocery store has monthly cause, you can donate your bag 3 cents to it if you want.

The only time I've not done so is this month when it is Komen. I've told the checkers why since typically people just automatically don't question that 3 cents. Yes, it is only 3 cents from me, times probably 10 visits a month (by my work, I walk over and pick up minor stuff) but thinking of how much they collect in a day, it is a lot. It is a chain and this comes down from on high, guess I should email them and tell them why.

[Bozita]

17. Need some help in understanding "donate your bag 3 cents to it if you want."

None of the scenarios my mind conjures up make a lot of sense.

Help me understand this, please.

[uppityperson]

18. Sorry for being unclear. I live in a place where you can bring a bag or they will give you one.

If you bring your own bag, the will give you 3 cents back. You can either take the 3 cents credit, or donate it to the "benefit of the month". I think donating it is the standard since I'm not asked what I want to do and checking receipts, it isn't on there. Which reminds me I need to ask them next visit.

At 3 cents a customer, and if even a fraction of customers use their own bags (watching it looks typically like around 25%) they can raise quite a bit of money. Eventually we are going to go to having to pay to use store bags, probably but for now, you can still get them without paying outright.

[azurnoir]

7. yep I've noticed I have not seen nearly as much pink race for the cure stuff this year

guess that's what happens when you put political interests ahead of what is supposed to be the purpose of your organization -good enough

[Stargazer09]

11. I used to be a supporter

Did the Race for the Cure several times, in memory of my mom.

After their political fiasco over Planned Parenthood, I refuse to give another dime to Komen. When I use the address labels they've sent me (perfect size for my bill envelopes), I rip off the silly little pink ribbon.

[spiderpig]

12. Good - and I have lost a MIL and friends to this horrible disease

When I read about their huge administrative salaries and what a small percentage of their revenue went to actual research, I was beyond outraged.

They can bite me - and will never get a thin dime from me again.

[Dulcinea]

14. I quit doing the Race for the Cure years ago.

The entry fees are outrageous compared to most races, and when I learned just how little of that money was going to research, that was it for me.

[Evasporque]

15. What don't conservatives screw up?.....nt

[eaglesfanintn]

16. I used to support them

I've raised money and not only ran the Race for the Cure, also ran a marathon they were associated with and took donations. But, the last time I had the opportunity to give money to Komen, I sent it to PP instead.
I'll find other organizations that give more money to, you know, actually trying to stop/cure breast cancer. My mom died from it, a good friend of ours and one of my cousins are going through treatment now, so I have a few personal reasons to give. But, Komen lost my support when they decided that politics was more important than the health of women.