The Komen Foundation CHOSE to politicize breast cancer

[cthulu2016]

Chose, as in MADE A CHOICE, as in DECIDED... OPTED... ELECTED TO.

For reasons of their own they decided to poison the issue of breast cancer in such a way that going forward the whole issue will be riven by choice politics that do not have one fucking thing to do with treating, detecting or curing breast cancer.

They also chose to give credibility to an entirely political "investigation" of Planned Parenthood mounted by RW scumbags.

So the Komen foundation is an active enemy of women's health and, by chosing to politicize breast cancer in this way, an active enemy of even breast cancer research funding itself, which will be a political football needlessly.

Other good works notwithstanding, they have chosen to be part of the problem, not the solution.

(And their director, appearing on Andrea Mitchell's show, is a compulsive liar.)

[LiberalFighter]

1. I agree!

I do not trust her.

[myrna minx]

2. K&R -n/t

[Skinner]

3. Exactly. This is the tragedy. I was just talking to EarlG about this.

This should not be political. But now it is, and it's sickening.

Once a year, there is a walk for the cure that walks right down my street. All dressed in pink. Everyone seems so enthusiastic to be doing something good. And every time I like to go out and clap and yell encouragement. Or if I'm driving by I honk my horn and give everyone the thumbs-up.

Next time there is a walk for the cure, I am not sure what I'll do. I certainly want to be supportive of people who are trying to do some good. Not the Komen organization, but regular people. I might still clap and honk and give the thumbs up, but I'm not sure. The fact that I have to actually think about it now is such a shame. This didn't have to happen.

[cthulu2016]

6. Yup. No reason for it... gratuitous, self-inflicted

Sad.

[countryjake]

8. You know what that's called, Skinner?

Think Before You Pink!

Just the fact that a charity like Komen consciously makes the decision to turn any aid for such a deadly disease into a Conservative/Liberal, Right vs. Left issue tells me that they do NOT have the lives of millions of women as their priority.

[Irishonly]

9. I am a 13 year breast cancer survivor

I wasn't supposed to live according to the averages. My right breast was all tumor and it was attatched to my chest wall. I have chemo months before the mastectomy and for six months after. I almost died twice. I didn't have reconstruction done because the doctors were afraid the cancer would go to my chest wall if it came back and that's why I didn't have a double mastectomy. They found cancer in 15 lymph nodes. After all of the chemo I had seven weeks of radiation and still have those scars also.

I was bound and determined I was not going to die. My daughter was nine years old and I had promised her I would do everything I could possibly do not to leave her and daddy. I also had to promise for the dog and cat.

I never got into Koman mania and I knew that the CEO was a die hard republican so I didn't have a lot of time for the organization. I have had people walk in my honor every year for the Race for the Cure and I have never burst anyone's bubble. I was given a pink ribbon pin when I was first diagnosed which I sent to my cousin when she was diagnosed a few years later. That pin has been given to at least twenty women and it is pretty worn out.

My point in all of this too much information post is that many of the people walking are not political and a lot of them do not care how little is actually given to research. They are walking for a loved one.

As for me, I don't miss the ACS Relay for Life which is done in the spring. All cancer survivors are honored there even the children. It doesn't get the publicity that Koman does but the love and support you find there is overwhelming. Find one of those events and hoot and holler for the survivors. Then come back at the end at the candle light vigil and watch the children surviving cancer hold their candles. I am usually sobbing by them.

Honk and wave at the walkers and help get the word out what an awful organization Koman is. Spread the word about other organizations.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I had a weird thought on this.

Donations to both groups have skyrocketed this week according to both.

Was this a manufactured outrage designed to bring bucks in the door?

May be WAY off base here - but I just watched that MSNBC interview and the founder just gave me that 'anything for a buck' vibe.

[hedgehog]

5. To be fair - I can recall a bishop about a year ago

who withdrew support from Komen because of Planned Parenthood.

http://www.lifenews.com/2011/08/19/catholic-bishop-church-cant-back-komen-because-of-abortion/

[cthulu2016]

7. That doesn't mitigate their choice

I have no doubt that many anti-choice entities disfavored giving money to planned parenthood for breast exams and education.

The Kommen foundation was not the first entity to ever politicize breast cancer in this way, but as the highest profile breast cancer action/advocacy organization probably in the world their actions are defining.