Karen Handel Resigns from Komen

The AP is reporting that Karen Handel has resigned as vice president for public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure after the massive public relations disaster caused by withdrawing funding from Planned Parenthood.

Whooooooooooooooops!

Buh-bye.

Update 1: Care of Deeks, here's her resignation letter.

Update 2: And here is a piece, via @Clinic Escort, by Clara Jeffery "on why nothing short of a board shakeup at Komen will do."

Komen relented. Sorta. Maybe. But not really.

Facing a lot of well-earned negative press and criticism this week and then responding with what has to be the biggest PR disaster I have ever seen, Komen released a statement today saying that they will continue to fund Planned Parenthood:

Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

It does not say, however, for just how long they will be funding those grants. At least through the current grant cycle and then what? Planned Parenthood will have to re-apply. As Greg Sargent reports:

I just got off the phone with a Komen board member, and he confirmed that the announcement does not mean that Planned Parenthood is guaranteed future grants — a demand he said would be “unfair” to impose on Komen.

And they are still claiming it was "not political". Uh-huh.

This is certainly good news for those who need the funds to access breast health care. However, with Karen Handel (for example) still employed there, this is certainly not a change of heart within the organization. It's a PR move.

Cecile Richards, President PPFA and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, released a statement in response that said (in part):

“In recent weeks, the treasured relationship between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and Planned Parenthood has been challenged, and we are now heartened that we can continue to work in partnership toward our shared commitment to breast health for the most underserved women. We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders and volunteers. What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer, and we honor those who are at the helm of this battle.

While I am deinitely glad the funds will be there, this year at least, for those who need them, I, personally, am even less inclined to encourage anyone to donate to Komen (and I was not inclined before). Komen spends--as all non-profits--donation money on administrative costs. A donation to Komen is assisting funding the salaries of the likes of Karen Handel. There are other organizations out there that are not lead by arch-conservatives nor push massive pinkwashing consumerism. As far as I know, Planned Parenthood still has their Breast Health Fund open that can be donated to directly.

This is a real thing in the world

Discount Gun Sales has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to offer a pink version of its popular Walther P-22 handgun in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Okay.

Quote of the Day

"Just like a pro-abortion group to turn a cancer orgs decision into a political bomb throw. Cry me a freaking river." -- Jade Morey, on Twitter. Who is Jade Morey? I do not know. However I do know who retweeted, and thus supported and endorsed that sentiment: Karen Handel (that's a link to the screenshot, as Handel tried to scrub it later by deleting it).

Karen Handel is the Senior Vice President of Public Policy at Susan G. Komen For The Cure. She is also a failed gubernatorial candidate for the state of Georgia, anti-choice, and a supporter of de-funding Planned Parenthood (as she promised to do so if she became governor). Incidentally, she was hired on less than a year ago.