Komen foundation cuts Planned Parenthood grants, then reverses

The breast cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, had decided to cut breast screening grants from Planned Parenthood, but reversed its decision on Friday after a national protest from the public. In Washington, 26 U.S. senators, all Democrats and an independent, signed a letter for Komen to reconsider its decision. The senators wrote, “It would be tragic if any woman — let alone thousands of women — lost access to these potentially lifesaving screenings because of a politically motivated attack.”

According to an ABC News source, who remains anonymous, the driving force behind the decision was Karen Handel, who stressed her anti-abortion views and often denounced Planned Parenthood during her campaign for governor in Georgia. Handel is currently Komen’s vice president for public policy. Mollie Williams, who was a top official and left the company in protest said, “I have dedicated my career to fighting for the rights of the marginalized and underserved,” she wrote. “And I believe it would be a mistake for any organization to bow to political pressure and compromise its mission.”