The Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure issued a statement today indicated that it would continue to provide grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates for breast cancer screenings, treatments, and education after announcing earlier this week that it would cease providing such grants.
The Komen Foundation stated, “We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives. 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… Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. 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.”
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America stated, “The outpouring of support for women in need of lifesaving breast cancer screening this week has been astonishing and is a testament to our nation’s compassion and sincerity. 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.”
DallasNews.com 2/3/12; Business Wire 2/3/12
