Seven California Komen affiliates oppose defunding Planned Parenthood

All seven California Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation affiliates have come out in opposition to the group’s new, national policies that bar them from funding Planned Parenthood. Here’s a statement they just sent to California’s congressional delegation:

The seven California Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure are strongly opposed to Komen National’s new grant making policy. This policy prevents Komen Affiliates from funding organizations under investigation at the regional, state or federal level. Planned Parenthood is currently the subject of an “inquiry” in Congress.

We are working with our National organization to clear the way for Komen Affiliates to continue to make local grant decisions based on their community needs. Know that women will continue to be served in California. Any grants currently in affect in our State will be continued though the end of the year.

We will work on this within our own organization with the same tenacity and passion that we worked with our legislators in keeping the state’s breast cancer screening program, Every Women Counts, operating. Our California collaborative will not rest until this issue is resolved.

Komen volunteers have worked tirelessly for the past 30 years to increase awareness, screening and research for the cure. What we have experienced and witnessed over the last two days is an extraordinary level of passion for these important issues to women. Our commitment to our mission is unwavering. This is a misstep in that journey and we want to assure all Californians that we will do whatever it takes to do what is right for the health of women and men in California.