Susan G. Komen for the Backpedaling.

Almost as soon as the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation withdrew support for breast screenings and funding for Planned Parenthood, there was a huge backlash in media, the Internet and social media condemning this action strongly. There is pressure on some organizations to withhold support for anything which supports reproductive choice and no matter how they spin it, the Susan G. Komen organization caved, and they did a disservice to women everywhere. They also did a disservice to all of their supporters who are really just about fighting cancer.

As we've seen, Facebook, Twitter, bloggers, YouTube and the power of instant communication and sharing on the web effectively make each individual a broadcaster who can serve as a conduit to focus on and amplify any issue important to them. As a result of this intense and widespread backlash, it seems the Susan G. Komen Foundation has thought better of punishing Planned Parenthood for being under 'investigation'. However, in the short time that the web was able to exert its grassroots power, people already withdrew support for the Susan G. Komen organization, gave directly to Planned Parenthood and made their righteous indignation known, with great effect.

The Susan G. Komen is apparently changing their policies to only withdraw funding for organizations under *criminal* investigation and has restored support for Planned Parenthood as well as breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood locations. Here's the announcement from Planned Parenthood:

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UPDATE: February 3, 2012: The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation reversed its decision and continues to fund breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood health centers.

The outpouring of support online for Planned Parenthood and women in need of breast cancer screenings has been nothing short of astonishing, and because of it, the Planned Parenthood Breast Health Fund has received more than $3 million from thousands of people across the country in only three days.

Every dollar we received for this fund will go directly for breast exams and diagnostic services, as well as breast health outreach and education. And now that the Komen Foundation plans to continue their support, even more women will receive lifesaving breast cancer care.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders, and volunteers, and supporters like you. Thank you so much for your voice and for standing with us.

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I am glad they came to their senses, but all is not well. If the Susan G. Komen Organization decided to bend to pressure from the anti-choice crowd, are they really on the right side of the argument, despite what the public reversal and concession? This issue already cost the foundation their top public health official.

I suspect the damage has been done, and this will have lasting effects on donations and support for SGKftC, but at least they came around.

What's with cancer and discrimination lately, anyway? First, the American Cancer Society refuses to take atheist money, ostensibly because they don't want to be associated with atheists participants for their national events, and then the flap with the SGKftC and Planned Parenthood.

The bodies of women (or anyone) should not be battlegrounds for ideology, and cancer does not discriminate.

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