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VA Planned Parenthood Statement on this Decision:
Disappointing news from a friend
BREAKING NEWS:
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has been pressured by right wing groups to stop supporting breast cancer screenings for poor women at Planned Parenthood health centers.
Please — if you can — make your emergency gift to Planned Parenthood in Virginia today.
Dear xxxxxx,
I wanted to share some extremely discouraging news from a partner and longtime ally for women’s health — news that could have devastating consequences for women in Virginia.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has announced that it will stop supporting lifesaving breast cancer screening for low-income and underserved women at Planned Parenthood health centers — including those in Virginia.
It’s a deeply disappointing decision — made even more alarming because politically motivated groups and individuals determined to undermine women’s access to care appear to have successfully intimidated the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to withdraw this critical support.
Over the past five years, Komen funds have enabled Planned Parenthood health centers to provide nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and referrals for more than 6,400 mammograms. These cancer detection and prevention programs saved the lives of women who often had nowhere else to turn for care.
But when anti-choice groups began criticizing the Komen Foundation for partnering with Planned Parenthood, the foundation ended its support for Planned Parenthood health centers. We know our opponents put their ideology over women’s health and lives. What we never expected is that an ally like the Komen Foundation would choose to listen to them.
But as troubling as that decision is, it’s not what I’m most worried about today. The grants that the Komen Foundation is ending go to Planned Parenthood health centers that provide cancer screenings to women who often have no other place to turn for care. We are determined to make sure that these women can continue to get the care they need — and, as always, that means we are counting on you. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to help us continue to be here for the women in Virginia.
For almost 100 years, Planned Parenthood health centers have relied on the generosity and compassion of others to deliver care to women, men, and teens. The support of organizations like the Komen Foundation is always appreciated — but people like you are the true heart and soul of Planned Parenthood.
Women in Virginia can’t afford to be caught up in the heartless campaigns of anti-choice groups and their allies in Congress. I’m counting on you to help us defend their access to care — and to tell those who care more about politics than people that we will not stand for it. Click here to make your emergency gift.
Thank you for all that you do for Planned Parenthood in Virginia and everyone in our community who relies on us. It means the world to us, truly.
Sincerely,
Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America