LI advocates 'thrilled' by Komen reversal

Planned Parenthood officials and women's health advocates on Long Island cheered the news that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation had reversed its decision and would continue to fund the organization's breast cancer screening.

"I'm thrilled for the women on Long Island who are going to continue to get the information and breast exams they need to stay healthy," said JoAnn Smith, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County.

Komen has faced a national storm of controversy over its decision earlier this week to discontinue grants to Planned Parenthood because of an investigation by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), who is looking into whether Planned Parenthood is illegally using government money for abortions. Critics charged that Komen officials caved in to pressure from anti-abortion advocates, which Komen has denied.

Smith said her group had received $97,000 annually for many years from Komen so it could aid 5,000 to 10,000 women in "underserved communities," focusing on minority women, across Long Island.

"That's what our grant was for, educating them about detecting breast cancer and preventing it by providing access to screenings and mammograms," Smith said.

Smith said her group received pledges of financial support after Komen announced its grant withdrawal. Nationally, Planned Parenthood said donations surpassed $3 million, The Associated Press reported. Komen reportedly provided nearly $700,000 to Planned Parenthood for breast screenings.

Komen provides $93 million in grants to local communities for breast-cancer education, screening and treatment. It is known for its pink ribbons and its Race for the Cure runs. The foundation also funds research on the disease.

Planned Parenthood provides such services as reproductive health care, sex education, and cancer screenings. But its abortion services have put it at the forefront of the national debate.

Many members of Congress praised or cheered Komen's decision to restore Planned Parenthood's eligibility.

"It's a great day when our deeply held belief that breast cancer can only be wiped out if we all work together has triumphed over right-wing politics," Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said in a statement.

But some conservatives decried the news.

"I am deeply disappointed in the sudden reversal by the Komen Foundation of their original pledge to cut ties with Planned Parenthood," said Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.).

In announcing the reversal, Komen's board and president Nancy Brinker said: "Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political."

With Bloomberg, Reuters