Komen affiliate ‘frustrated’ by Planned Parenthood decision

Not everyone associated with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure is happy about the group’s decision to sever ties with Planned Parenthood.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut, an affiliate based in Farmington, Conn., expressed “frustration” with the situation, posting on its Facebook page:

“The decision regarding the funding of Planned Parenthood was made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Headquarters. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut enjoys a great partnership with Planned Parenthood, and is currently funding Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. We understand, and share, in the frustration around this situation. We hope that any investigation prohibiting Planned Parenthood from receiving Komen grants is promptly resolved.”

Ann Hogan, the president of the local group’s board of directors, said that she learned of headquarters’ decision to cut funding for breast health services at Planned Parenthood earlier this winter and had been “very surprised.”

“We didn’t have input,” she said.

Last year, Komen Connecticut gave out more than a million dollars to Connecticut organizations battling breast cancer, including $38,000 to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England to support clinical breast exams, mammograms and outreach through June 30, 2012. Hogan said that Planned Parenthood had not applied for another grant from the group this year.

“We have a great relationship with Planned Parenthood,” Hogan said. “We value our grantees. We need them to do our work.”

Hogan didn’t know if any other affiliates had issued similar statements but said she was interested in finding out. (It has been reported that a Denver affiliate also announced it would not automatically pull funding from Planned Parenthood.)

“I don’t have the luxury of time to see what others are doing,” she said, adding that the controversy was taking time away from work on the chapter’s 2012 Race for the Cure, set for June 2 in Hartford.

“We have a really small staff here. We rely on volunteers. We have real work to do here, and we have to spend time on this,” Hogan said. “Everything we’re doing here should be about our mission. Until we have a cure for breast cancer and it’s gone, we need to be sure folks have access to these services.”

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