There certainly hasn’t been any shortage of headlines lately over the brouhaha surrounding The Susan G. Komen Foundation’s relationship with Planned Parenthood.
When you see the words “Planned Parenthood,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
For many, it’s abortion.
No matter your view on the subject, not too many of you would argue with this statement — It doesn’t get much more political and controversial than the pro-choice / pro-life debate.
Mix Komen’s mission to fight cancer with an organization associated with abortion and that’s clearly a recipe for controversy, hence all of the headlines, right?
But, let’s look at some of the cold hard facts (regarding Planned Parenthood), they might surprise you.
In 2010, Planned Parenthood performed 329,445 abortion procedures within the United States. While that’s more than half of the population of Milwaukee or Baltimore, Planned Parenthood claims abortion makes up only 3 percent of their total “services” rendered in 2010.
The rest (remaining 97 percent) ?
– 38 percent for STD treatment and testing;
33.5 percent contraception;
14.5 percent cancer screenings and prevention;
10.4 percent prenatal services and pregnancy tests; and
0.6 percent adoption referrals, family practice services.
While 3 percent seems like a small number, 329,445 surely isn’t.
But, numbers aside, is there a bigger issue here?
Earlier today, a former classmate of mine from law school posted this comment on a social media page:
“wondering how many organizations support/ed planned parenthood that I have given money to but had no idea they supported such things….thinking twice about what non-profits I give to…”
Interesting question, and I would even go one step further. How many times do people give to a charity not knowing that the money is being funneled somewhere else entirely?
Sounds like a good investigative piece for a major daily newspaper, right?
But, according to the Attorney General’s office in Connecticut, “Charitable organizations are not obligated to spend a minimum percentage of what they raise on their stated charitable purposes.”
Is that what happened with Komen’s foundation and Planned Parenthood?
According to a Chicago Sun Times Editorial, no.
“In our view, there is a clear separation between the breast cancer screening done by Planned Parenthood and its other work. Abortions …”
I suppose only with time will we know the true relationship Komen’s foundation had with Planned Parenthood, but in the meantime the politics surrounding this isn’t helping to find a cure for cancer patients, and isn’t that the biggest issue of all?
