Posted on 02/07/2012 8:18:18 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
Karen Handel, a top Komen official who was said to be instrumental in putting in place the changes in Komen policy that essentially resulted in cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, has resigned her position.
As LifeNews reported last week, Komen initially decided in December to revise its grant-making process to funds grants to agencies that provide direct health services for women — which would eliminate Planned Parenthood since it does not do mammograms. After Planned Parenthood, Democratic members of Congress and the media pounced on Komen for its decision, Komen clarified that Planned Parenthood would still be allowed to submit grant requests but they may or may not be funded.
TEXT OF LETTER
February 7, 2012
The Honorable Nancy Brinker
CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure VIA EMAIL
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250
Dallas, Texas 75244
Dear Ambassador Brinker:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been the recognized leader for more 30 years in the fight against breast cancer here in the US – and increasingly around the world.
As you know, I have always kept Komen’s mission and the women we serve as my highest priority – as they have been for the entire organization, the Komen Affiliates, our many supporters and donors, and the entire community of breast cancer survivors. I have carried out my responsibilities faithfully and in line with the Board’s objectives and the direction provided by you and Liz.
We can all agree that this is a challenging and deeply unsettling situation for all involved in the fight against breast cancer. However, Komen’s decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization. At the November Board meeting, the Board received a detailed review of the new model and related criteria. As you will recall, the Board specifically discussed various issues, including the need to protect our mission by ensuring we were not distracted or negatively affected by any other organization’s real or perceived challenges. No objections were made to moving forward.
I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it. I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve. However, the decision to update our granting model was made before I joined Komen, and the controversy related to Planned Parenthood has long been a concern to the organization. Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology. Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy. I believe that Komen, like any other nonprofit organization, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom it grants.
What was a thoughtful and thoroughly reviewed decision – one that would have indeed enabled Komen to deliver even greater community impact – has unfortunately been turned into something about politics. This is entirely untrue. This development should sadden us all greatly.
Just as Komen’s best interests and the fight against breast cancer have always been foremost in every aspect of my work, so too are these my priorities in coming to the decision to resign effective immediately. While I appreciate your raising a possible severance package, I respectfully decline. It is my most sincere hope that Komen is allowed to now refocus its attention and energies on its mission.
Sincerely, Karen Handel
Maybe move to Breaking. Sorry for the double post.
I have no sympathy. All these “cure” groups reek of “scam”.
Interesting ~ even more disgruntled former employees in the mix ~
Planned Parenthood lambasted SGK for giving in to pressure to stop funding them. But when the media blitz that followed skewered SGK and they relented, that’s not giving in to pressure?
Translation: SGK Board told her she could quit or be fired.
So I will take this to mean that SGK is going full throttle back into the arms of Planned Parenthood.
I seriously want to look into starting a rival organization for breast cancer and also focused on other women’s cancer. Koman has shown to be a scam, both politicized and top heavy with administration costs. I have not supported them in the past due to the minimal amount actually going to the cause and the PP money.
I have yet to see why an organization fighting breast cancer would support an organization promoting a practice that has been shown to increase the chances of the very disease they are fighting. This is akin to a lung cancer charity funding a cigar smoking group.
Nominate her for Republican Congressperson.
Welcome to the high stakes world of corrupt Democrat politics, Karen.
Liberal women to Komen:
“No funding of killing babies - no Cancer funds”
The Leftist press did a magnificent job of turning “red to green and up to down”...
Of course the politics was already interjected with funding an abortion center where money is fungible.
The extricating of funding away from the abortion PP is then spun to appear as though that is the politics.
Goebbels award to MSM and PP
Wow. She did everything but make a rude gesture to Komen. What a despicable organization.
“However, Komen’s decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization. At the November Board meeting, the Board received a detailed review of the new model and related criteria. As you will recall...”
Decision like this are not made in a vacuum and she point out here it was. This issue with Komen was not one that gave into pressure. It shows that at every level SGK’s leaders have no spine and no longer worth your time, energy or donation.
I hope NCL stops assisting SGK.
But, I'm not sure that cigar smoking has ever been proven to be a cause of lung cancer.
Not only of good character, but the letter as written was an excellent “up yours”.
I have a problem with groups that seek my donation, and then use that money to lobby for more government money and elimination of some of my freedom. And when the cure is found? Well there is always something else to replace the targeted scourge.
Won’t be long before you’ll hear someone asking “what was the name of that lib group of panhandlers with the pink ribbon logo?”.
Good cause, wrong path. Too bad it took this long for the truth that its nothing more than another liberal cause supporting abortion, to come out.
Nice letter. She was correct. How could they be for the “cure” when abortions contribute to the cause?
Traditional oncology by destroying a person’s immune system will very soon be seen as worse than middle ages bloodletting.
... says the voice from under the bus.
A very well-presented resignation letter.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.