Pro-Lifers Urged to Support Komen, Keep Pressure on Planned Parenthood
A family studies researcher encouraged pro-life groups to cheer on cancer fund Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation for its decision to discontinue grants for Planned Parenthood and to press other groups to do the same.
Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), said the Komen Foundation needs pro-lifers' support following its Tuesday decision.
"I think all pro-lifers have to thank Susan G. Komen today. They're coming under vicious attacks today by Planned Parenthood," Ruse told The Christian Post.
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Progressive petition website Change.org has an online petition called "Tell the Komen Foundation Don't Defund Planned Parenthood." SomeEcards.com has also created a thank you e-card stating, "Thank you for cutting off funding to cancer screening programs in order to prove that you are pro-life."
Additionally, Ruse said Planned Parenthood Federation of America has launched fundraising emails to its supporters discrediting the Komen Foundation as succumbing to political pressure.
Pro-life groups have every right to take a few minutes to celebrate the decision, but afterwards, he said, "They should turn their eye to protecting Susan G. Komen and then they should turn their eye again to Planned Parenthood."
He emphasized that Komen made the right decision for its organization and Planned Parenthood "deserved this."
Susan B. Komen for the Cure Foundation informed PPFA weeks before the Tuesday announcement that it would discontinue grants awarded to 19 local abortion clinics for breast cancer initiatives.
Komen spokesman Leslie Aun told The Associated Press that the decision was based on a new policy barring the organization from awarding grants to organizations that are under local, state or federal investigation.
California Congressman Cliff Stearns is currently leading an inquiry into PPFA's monetary appropriations. There are also several state and local investigations into allegations of misconduct ranging from enabling sex trafficking to evading rules to notify parents of minors experiencing sexual abuse.
PPFA President Cecile Richards attributed Komen's decision to pro-life advocates who are determined to defund its organization.
"We are alarmed and saddened that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appears to have succumbed to political pressure. Our greatest desire is for Komen to reconsider this policy and recommit to the partnership on which so many women count," she said in a statement.
Komen's affiliation with Planned Parenthood had indeed spark controversy and protest among Christian conservative supporters.
Lifeway Christian Resources halted sale and production of its pink Bibles after learning of the link between the two organizations. The Here's Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Bibles were released to retailers such as Walmart, Kmart and Target in October 2011 for breast cancer awareness month. Lifeway had committed to donating a dollar from the sale of each Bible to the cancer foundation. The partnership with Lifeway would have given Komen $25, 000. Instead, the Bibles were pulled from store shelves.
Prison Fellowship head Chuck Colson also chided Komen in a 2011 column because Planned Parenthood offers a procedure (abortion) that some health studies have suggested increases women's risk for breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen would never publicly say that they succumbed to political pressure nor should they, Ruse said.
"They have given two good reasons for defunding Planned Parenthood," Ruse said.
The first is the investigation. The second, Ruse said, is that Planned Parenthood clinics do not provide women with mammograms. The clinics rather give women referrals to gynecologists, he charged.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser has said that Komen's decision is more about common sense rather than pro-life pressure.
"It is our understanding that the decision made by the Komen organization was based on a policy that they will not provide funding to any organization which is under investigation by local, state or federal authorities, and that the current congressional investigation of Planned Parenthood disqualifies them for support under that policy," she said in a statement.
"This policy is a fairly basic one for many non-profit organizations since their supporters typically do not want to see them spending their time and resources [on an organization that is] somehow connected to or drawn into a criminal or congressional investigation."
Ruse said he hopes that others will follow Komen's example. Ruse's C-FAM is boycotting the Girl Scout cookie sales due to perceived connections with Planned Parenthood. He also asserted out that the federal government needs to separate from PPFA
