The charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, announced Tuesday it was eliminating its grant money to Planned Parenthood. But now, it's reversing the course, after a flood of criticism. Komen issued a statement saying: "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."Tony Thornton, with Lubbock’s Planned Parenthood affiliate, said his organization has not applied for money from Komen's breast cancer health grants for years, but likely will now.
“I think it's important that this decision has been reversed so that we can continue to serve women,” Thornton said. “This decision initially would have just hurt women in general."
The president of Lubbock Right to Life, Rex Andrew, said anyone who plans to make a charitable donation to any organization should investigate to make sure the organization shares your values.
"I know they claim that they don't use donations for abortions,” Andrew said. “You can believe that if you want. if someone gives a donation to that organization, it helps that organization."
Komen had initially decided to withhold the $700,000 a year it steers to Planned Parenthood because the latter, known for its abortion clinics, was under congressional investigation.
Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns wants to determine whether federal funds are being illegally used to pay for abortions. Pro-choice supporters denounced the move as politically motivated charges the Komen foundation denied. A pro-life critic of the reversal said Komen is bowing to political pressure from the left.
"Like this letter from 26 senators condemning Susan G. Komen for what they did saying that you shouldn't bow to political pressure, well what kind of letter is that," Rios said.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the California democrat, disagreed, calling it a big victory for women's health.
"It just goes to show you when women speak out, women win," Pelosi said.
Funding the Susan G. Komen foundation provides is used for breast exams and cancer screening, and not to fund abortion at Planned Parenthood.
