“Alarmed and Saddened” by Komen Foundation Succumbing to Political Pressure

Planned Parenthood Launches Fund for Breast Cancer Services

Glenwood Springs, Colo. – Planned Parenthood’s Glenwood Springs health center has been providing essential health care, including breast health, to our community and surrounding communities since 1979.
Sadly, in response to mounting pressure from a few vocal anti-choice groups, Susan G. Komen Foundation leaders have made the decision to accommodate these extreme voices, ending future funding for lifesaving cancer screenings and breast health education work at Planned Parenthood affiliates even in Glenwood.

As the nation’s leading women’s health provider, Planned Parenthood is a critical resource for women in the fight to prevent and detect breast cancer. One in five women has turned to Planned Parenthood at some time in her life for health care. Nationwide, Planned Parenthood health centers performed nearly 750,000 breast cancer screenings last year, helping women detect breast cancer and empowering them to take control of their health.

“Opponents of safe, legal abortion, who have consistently put their narrow political agenda ahead of women’s health needs, have repeatedly threatened the Komen Foundation for partnering with Planned Parenthood to provide these lifesaving cancer screenings,” said Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of PPRM.

Planned Parenthood health centers in Colorado, in an average year, care for 1,000 patients through Komen funding, several hundred of whom were referred out for additional diagnostic services. Additionally, through Komen funding, we provided over 2,000 women with comprehensive breast self-awareness education. PPRM Glenwood Springs Health Center performed over 300 clinical breast exams last year and facilitated the continuum of care for women to undergo further diagnostic screenings such as mammograms and biopsies.

"Women of all economic levels need breast health screenings, referrals, and education, which is why we must work together as a community to ensure that low-income women who have no other place to turn have access to essential breast health care. As a donor and community advocate, I support both the Denver Komen and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains," said Dottie Lamm, former First Lady of Colorado.

In response to the Komen decision, PPRM has established a breast health fund to provide funding for the women whose breast cancer screening and care has been jeopardized by the Komen decision to withdraw funding. To learn more about how you help women receive essential breast health care, contact the development office at 1.800.230.PLAN.

“Our goal is to offer grant subsidies for breast health through private donations and we will continue to refer clients who need additional financial assistance and/or mammograms,” said Cowart.

Planned Parenthood's quality, accessibility and affordability make it a leader in identifying breast cancer early when there is the best chance of successful treatment. Nationwide, Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses provide nearly 750,000 breast cancer screenings annually, offering risk assessments, breast exams, breast health information and education, and diagnostic and surgical referrals.

PPRM will remain committed to helping our clients develop a lifelong regime of preventive breast health care by providing breast self-awareness education during every annual/well-woman exam and birth control consultation.

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains empowers individuals and families in the communities we serve to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health by providing high quality health services, comprehensive sex education, and strategic advocacy.  More than 123,000 women, men, and young adults annually visit our 28 health centers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Wyoming.  Since 1916, we have been the region’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care.  For more information about Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, call 1.800.230.PLAN or visit pprm.org for the health center nearest you.