Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Relationship with Planned Parenthood
### Relationship with Planned Parenthood

Beginning in 2007, Komen granted money to pay for 170,000 clinical breast exams and 6,400 mammogram referrals through the [Planned Parenthood Federation of America](/wiki/Planned_Parenthood "Planned Parenthood") and affiliates. Komen had said its affiliates provide funds for screening, education, and treatment programs in dozens of communities where Planned Parenthood is the only place poor, uninsured or under\-insured women can receive these services.[An open letter about Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood](http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Footer/MediaCenter/planned%20parenthood%20winer-09.pdf) August 2010 [Planned Parenthood](/wiki/Planned_Parenthood "Planned Parenthood") clinics do not perform mammograms, instead making referrals for their patients to sites that do them.

On January 31, 2012, Komen stopped funding exams provided by [Planned Parenthood](/wiki/Planned_Parenthood "Planned Parenthood"), citing a congressional investigation by Representative [Cliff Stearns](/wiki/Cliff_Stearns "Cliff Stearns") and a newly created internal rule about not funding organizations under federal, state, or local investigation. While conservative religious and [anti\-abortion groups](/wiki/Anti-abortion_movements "Anti-abortion movements") applauded the move, it was [denounced](/wiki/Denunciation "Denunciation") by several editorials, women's health advocacy groups,[http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/03/2043592/editorials\-on\-komen\-vs\-planned.html](http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/03/2043592/editorials-on-komen-vs-planned.html) and politicians.[Breaking: Two dozen Senators call on Komen to reverse Planned Parenthood decision](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/breaking-two-dozen-senators-call-on-komen-to-reverse-planned-parenthood-decision/2012/02/02/gIQA5EPnkQ_blog.html) (*[The Washington Post](/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*, February 2, 2012\)

In the 24 hours after the news broke, Planned Parenthood received more than $400,000 from 6,000 donors, followed by pledges of a $250,000 matching grant from [New York City](/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") Mayor [Michael Bloomberg](/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg "Michael Bloomberg") and a $250,000 gift from a foundation run by the CEO of Bonanza Oil Co. in Dallas to replace the lost funding.[Planned Parenthood Replaces Komen Grant With Online Push](https://archive.today/20120731062304/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-02/planned-parenthood-replaces-komen-grant-with-online-push.html) (*[Bloomberg Businessweek](/wiki/Bloomberg_Businessweek "Bloomberg Businessweek")*), February 2, 2012\)

Four days later, Komen's board of directors reversed the decision and announced that it would amend the policy to "make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.". Several top\-level staff members resigned from Komen during the controversy.[Top official quits, some affiliates upset as Komen cancer fund cuts Planned Parenthood grants](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-us--plannedparenthood-komen,0,4477705.story) ([Chicago Tribune](/wiki/Chicago_Tribune "Chicago Tribune"), February 1, 2012\)  In August, Brinker announced she would leave her CEO role.Reuters (August 8, 2012\). [Susan G. Komen Founder Nancy Brinker To Leave CEO Role.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/susan-g-komen-nancy-brinker_n_1758344.html) The number of participants at various Komen fundraising events dropped 15–30% in 2012\. The Susan G. Komen 3\-Day for the Cure fundraising walks were scaled back to seven US cities in 2013 from 14, due to a 37% drop in participation over the preceding four years. In January 2014 it was reported that the foundation saw a decline of 22% in contributions in the year following their decision to cease (and then continue) funding for Planned Parenthood.

[Karen Handel](/wiki/Karen_Handel "Karen Handel"), the Brinker protégée whose [opposition to abortion](/wiki/Anti-abortion_movements "Anti-abortion movements") was at the center of the Planned Parenthood controversy, resigned and has published a book on the controversy titled *Planned Bullyhood*.Abramovitch, Seth (August 13, 2012\). [Executive Behind Susan G. Komen's Planned Parenthood Defunding Announces Memoir.](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/karen-handel-susan-komen-planned-parenthood-361392) *[The Hollywood Reporter](/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")*


What was the reaction of conservative groups to Komen's decision?