Planned Parenthood Donations Soar & Score a Win for Women

on February 2, 2012 at 11:14 AM

woman protesting war on women Nothing short of a total firestorm has arisen from the news that the Susan G. Komen Foundation is cutting their funding to Planned Parenthood. Uber-conservatives have been acting like it's their very own New Year's Eve, turning the Susan G. Komen Facebook page into their celebratory HQ. And anyone who cares at all about women's well-being has had a perpetual scowl painted across their face for the past 48 hours. But I'm here to tell you that those of us here on the sane side of the road mustn't mourn any longer, because there's a sweet upshot to all of this! No, really.

Donors who were totally P.O.'ed by the Komen decision have donated $650+K to Planned Parenthood over the past day or so, which is nearly enough to replace last year's Komen funding, say PP execs. Amaaaaaazing!

As of yesterday afternoon, Planned Parenthood had raised more than $400K from more than 6,000 online donors, and of course, donations were and still are coming in. Hells yes! Not only is this a super "in-your face!" to the "pro-life" (until you're out of the womb, I suppose) powers that be, but it's also a major WIN for women.

It's a reassurance to millions of women who rely on Planned Parenthood for life-saving care such as breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings (annual Paps), screenings and treatment for STDs (including HIV), general reproductive health, and birth control. It's a safety net for women who aren't getting the cancer screening they need. These donations will even go toward saving the important education that Planned Parenthood provides.

For instance, a Planned Parenthood in Southeastern Virginia had just applied for a $36K grant to educate young minority women about breast health and pay for mammograms. Because of the Komen pull-out, the SE VA affiliate faces having to reduce their education efforts and hope for replacement funds to cover the mammos. But with hope, a portion of the funds coming in right now from Planned Parenthood supporters will go in that direction -- and toward similar, inestimable programs all over the country.

No, this silver lining doesn't make Komen's move any less reprehensible. It just means women don't have to worry about losing Planned Parenthood and its wealth of valuable services. It's also pretty damn empowering and heartening to know that, despite the war on women, Planned Parenthood manages to survive and stand even stronger.

Do you find this news reassuring? Have you ever gone to Planned Parenthood for a breast or cervical cancer screening, STD screening/treatment, birth control, or other reproductive health service?

Image via Timothy Krause/Flickr

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: birth control, breasts, cancer, general health, obgyn

Comments (22)

Ddragonffly

on Feb 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM

I have to say, I didn't know that PP "It's a reassurance to millions of women who rely on Planned Parenthood for life-saving care such as breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings (annual Paps), screenings and treatment for STDs (including HIV), general reproductive health, and birth control. It's a safety net for women who aren't getting the cancer screening they need. These donations will even go toward saving the important education that Planned Parenthood provides."

I tought women who didn't want to have the baby just went to PP to have an abortion..

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parentalrights1

on Feb 2, 2012 at 11:37 AM

Yay pp!

Boo anti choicers xD

on Feb 2, 2012 at 11:39 AM

And no dragonfly. PP does not just do abortions and they are not the only place that does abortions. The antichoice crowd just like to play up the fact that they provide that service in an effort to push their agenda.

Nonmember comment from Tippi

you left out that donations to The Susan Komen foundation also had quite an increase over this decision.

billsfan1104

Again, SGK funds should of not gone to other services like pap smears, cervical cancer screening. SGK is a BREAST CANCER organization, their funds should go directly to those things. This is not a war on woman, because one organization, stopped funding. WOmen can still get screenings, treatment and education at PP. SGK did not stop that. and if SGK did, PP is in a heap of financial trouble then.

Nonmember comment from Jenn

on Feb 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM

SGK is a charity and not obligated to financially support any other organization. PP is (clearly) capable of raising its own money.

Nonmember comment from AFP

on Feb 2, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Yes, very reassuring. PP was my "doctor" in my early 20s. If it wasnt for them I never would have had these crucial exams in my 20 something years. All of my friends used them as well.... And none of us were pregnant just needed health care in the "in between" time of our lives, being out of college but without real jobs and health care!

PonyChaser

on Feb 2, 2012 at 12:41 PM

Honestly. This whole brouhaha shouldn't have happened. This should never have been made into a political discussion. From what I understand, SGK's decision had NOTHING to do with the services that PP provides, rather, it had everything to do with the fact that PP is being investigated for fraud.

Any business concerned about their own reputation relative to fallout from an investigation like that would have had to make the same decision. Some would stay, some wouldn't.

I believe there is also a law that states that a non-profit cannot donate to a group that is under investigation, so SGK really didn't have a choice, if that's the case.

How did this turn into "SGK wants PP to close its doors", "waging a war on women", and "Komen's move is reprehensible"?

It was a business decision, nothing else. Believe it or not, not everything has to do with politics and "women's rights". Enough already.

on Feb 2, 2012 at 12:50 PM

No shit Pony. This is getting out of hand. Women are acting like that their rights were taken away. To me SGK was not providing funding for pap smears, birth control pills etc etc. It was suppose to be use for mammogram referrals and breast health. Its getting to the point where the pro-choicers on Jenny's Op-ED piece were calling for her to die of cancer, calling her all sorts of names, and calling for a ban. It was so trashy.

Melissa042807

on Feb 2, 2012 at 1:16 PM

How is any of this a "win" for women? Why do these two organizations have to be tied together in order to be "good" for women? This whole thing has gotten way overblown and everyone needs to take a deep breath.