With backlash surrounding a decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has decided to backpedal on their decision.
Backlash towards Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest breast cancer advocacy group in the country, was felt nationwide, including in the Garden State.
The organization, known for its pink ribbons and fundraising walks, stepped right into the middle of the abortion debate when it announced a new grant-awarding policy would eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is taking some of the credit for the about-face decision.
"The Komen organization originally allowed a partisan agenda to interfere in their health mission,"he says.
Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health services in the U.S. and does perform abortions. The organization also screens women for breast cancer. The organization says it conducted 45,000 screenings last year alone and more than 800 patients were directed to get further testing such as mammograms.