A Great Moment for Women and America

Statement from President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood on Komen Reversal

STATEMENT BY PATRICIA MCGEOWN, UHPP PRESIDENT/CEO

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is thrilled to hear that the Susan G. Komen Foundation has reversed its decision and re-clarified its grant making criteria so that Planned Parenthood affiliates are no longer barred from consideration. We were frankly overwhelmed by the support for Planned Parenthood expressed by women throughout the Capital region and the country. We are at a thrilling time in history, when people from all levels of society can come together and, using the power of social media, rally to win critical battles for a greater good. The message of the moment is that the health of American women must take precedent over political ideology; and that Planned Parenthood health centers are a vital part of the network that ensures that all women, regardless of income or insurance status, should have access to early preventive screening and cancer prevention services.

UHPP would also like to thank our local and national media for helping to amplify this groundswell of concern for breast cancer prevention, and for keep the facts clear.

Hopefully, the attention caused by this uproar will encourage more women to make appointments for early cancer screening. When they do, UHPP will be ready to meet the need.

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization working to promote healthy sexuality and reproductive choice through exceptional services, honest education and fearless advocacy since 1934. In 2011, over 10,000 patients made 22,382 visits to UHPP health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. In 2011 Upper Hudson performed 1,245 clinical breast exams and identified six cases of masses in women's breasts. UHPP health educators present over 400 education programs reaching 5,632 youth and young adults. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.