When my cousin died from breast cancer over ten years ago, I made it a yearly ritual to raise money for Susan G. Komen For The Cure, a group dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure for this dreaded disease.
After soliciting funds, sometimes I?d receive responses that certain friends and relatives couldn?t give to Komen for one reason or another. They were angry that the organization funded Planned Parenthood or gave to labs that researched and tested animals.
I would shake my head at sanctimonious fools who loudly claimed to be pro-life and then hypocritically behaved otherwise. Or I would respond that arguments for human, rather than animal studies, while valid, were no reason to discount the life-saving efforts of an organization dedicated to ending breast cancer.
Whether someone is crazy on the right or left, they are still crazy and deserving of my scorn.
Last week, I found myself in a conundrum.
Susan G. Komen For the Cure pulled funding for Planned Parenthood and I was understandably outraged. All of a sudden, different kinds of friends called on me to stop raising money for the group.
Wasn?t that a pink-colored pickle?
After a few days of intense public pressure, Komen reversed its decision. Kind of. They announced Planned Parenthood could continue to apply for grants, but left it unclear as to whether or not those grants would be approved.
This episode has brought into question Komen?s political affiliations and forever tarnished its reputation. For some, the reversal on Planned Parenthood simply isn?t enough to reverse a boycott.
Disease-fighting money cannot come from, and go to, only like-minded individuals. I prefer working with groups that are open-minded and tolerant, but I?ve always thought that refusing to help worthy organizations based on ideology is wrong. Inaction really harms all of us.
At the same time, I can?t help wondering if Komen is worthy of my fundraising efforts and money. Maybe I should give to the American Cancer Society or Planned Parenthood directly. They provide prevention and treatment, and are more in line with my values.
There are no easy answers to this question and those who disagree aren?t thinking hard enough.
?Read more in this Saturday?s Tampa Tribune or check back here Sunday for the full link.?
Source: http://www.outinleftfield.com/2012/02/10/preview-the-politics-of-breast-cancer-fundraising/
involuntary manslaughter stevens johnson syndrome verdict in michael jackson trial verdict in michael jackson trial brian urlacher matt forte dr conrad murray verdict
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.