While the "Komen for the Cure" continues their revised mission, there is still room for another research organization.

By Michell Nichols

Reuters

10:30 a.m. CST

February 3, 2012

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire New York City (click title to entry - thank you) Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged on Thursday to give $250,000 of his own money to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America after breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure withdrew funding for the group.

The Komen foundation had provided about $700,000 annually for Planned Parenthood to provide access to mammograms for low income women....

One of the first heroes that leapt into action was Mayor Bloomberg.  It was a fabulous idea and is being mimicked.  


Believing in women is very important and not for one second did Mayor Bloomberg waiver in his commitment to advance excellent health for all of them.  I thank him.  His effort was absolutely stunning and comforting.  "Hero of the Year."


The sincerely unfortunate outcome for Komen regarding this change in policy and return to a more just policy for grants shows a culture within the organization many women consider a threat.  Women understand life all too well.  They know the brevity of their decisions.  But, to realize their health could be threatened without a chance to make a decision is an assault on them, the ones they love and the very core of the American family.  No one should be playing with this.


The ridicule from the political right must be a reality check for those within the Komen organization making decisions that revealed faux priorities.  I congratulate Komen for taking the opinion of women seriously and rejoining the American culture once again.  But, there is a reality now that cannot be ignored and we cannot risk any radical change again.  While, Komen will continue to conduct very good work, there has to be others in parallel organizations conducting their own efforts while securing funding for the real world we live in today.


I remember Jerry Lewis some time ago stating on his Telethon that he wished there was more research being conducted, but, to ignore the needs of those effected today is unthinkable.  I agree.