Subject: Statement from the Catholic Archdiocese of
Position Statement on Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Issued 7 June 2006; revised 29 March 2007
The Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis acknowledges the beneficial work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, in the area of breast cancer detection, prevention, research and treatment. Due to its policy allowing affiliates to offer financial support to abortion providing facilities and its endorsement of embryonic stem cell research, the Respect Life Apostolate neither supports nor encourages participation in activities that benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
This position is based on the following facts:
1. Public records indicate that Susan G. Komen for the Cure ("Komen") affiliates in at least 22 states (Missouri is not among them) have provided sizable grants to local Planned Parenthood chapters for breast health care services.1
Despite Komen donations for breast health care services, Planned Parenthood (the largest single abortion provider in the country) stated in its 2004-2005 annual report that 9,900 more abortions were performed and 26,000 fewer breast exams were provided in 2004 than in 2003. 2
Donors cannot control how an organization designates its funds. Therefore, money donated for a specific service, i.e. breast health care, directly frees up funds to support other areas of an organization’s agenda, i.e. contraception services, “safe” sex education and abortion services.
2. The Komen website dismisses the link between procured abortion and increased risk of breast cancer.3 However, the research of Joel Brind, Ph.D., a professor of Endocrinology and founder of the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, and the work of Dr. Janet Daling,4 a leading cancer epidemiologist and pro-choice advocate, invalidate a dismissal of the link. Daling said, “I would have loved to have found no association between breast cancer and abortion, but our research is rock solid, and our data is accurate. It’s not a matter of believing, it’s a matter of what is.”5
3. Komen endorses embryonic stem cell research that requires the destruction of embryonic human life, stating that “embryonic stem cells…have the most potential” for cancer stem cell research.6 The destruction of human life at any stage of development is never morally acceptable. Embryonic stem cell research is also unnecessary since adult stem cell research has a proven record of cures and treatments.
Based on these documented facts, the Respect Life Apostolate (RLA) does not endorse Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The RLA encourages you to contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure (5005 LBJ Freeway,
Rather than supporting any Komen fundraising, the Respect Life Apostolate encourages you to direct your donations to the following local hospitals that provide breast cancer services and patient support groups:
Mail to: SJMMC Donations
12800 Corporate
Check:
Memo: Breast Cancer Development
Mail to: St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation
Check: St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation
Memo: Empower and Engage Breast Cancer Program (patient support)
Mail to:
Foundation Office
300 First
Check:
Memo: Breast Cancer Programs
St. Anthony’s
Mail to: St. Anthony’s
10010 Kennerly Road
Check: St. Anthony’s
Memo: designate for breast cancer research or patient support services
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2 Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (2007). 2004-2005 Annual Report. Retrieved March 27, 2007 from <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/report-05.pdf>
3 see "Factors That Do Not Increase Risk of Breast Cancer." Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 27 March 2007. <http://cms.komen.org/Komen/AboutBreastCancer/AbcFactorsNotRelatedtoRisk>.
4 see Daling JR, Malone KE, Voigt LF, White E,
5 "The Cover Up." Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. 27 March 2007. <http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/coverup3.htm>.
6 “Cancer Stem Cell Research Shows Promise.” Frontline: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Newsletter. (Fall 2006). 29 March 2007 <http://cms.komen.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/komen_document/006137.pdf>.