by Aundrea Cline-Thomas
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Backlash from Susan G. Komen's decision not to fund breast cancer screenings provided by Planned Parenthood is being felt locally.
Leaders at the Komen organization said the decision is not political and denied yielding to pressure from anti-abortion organizations.
When Kristi Seehafer was diagnosed with cancer she turned to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
"I had a clear mammogram in December of 2010 and four months later I had a breast cancer diagnosis that was stage four," Seehafer explained.
Today she's cancer free.
"I was one of the lucky ones because I have health insurance," she said.
Across the state Planned Parenthood provides four thousand cancer screenings a year to low income women, many whom don't have health insurance.
"Ninety-five percent of what Planned Parenthood does nationwide is preventive care," Jeff Teaugue, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, said.
Susan G. Komen Foundation announced it will no longer provide funding to Planned Parenthood for cancer screenings because of a Congressional investigation into whether federal money is being used to fund abortions.
"We are constantly attacked because we do provide that comprehensive package of women's healthcare that includes abortion," Teague added.
Even prior to the decision, The Greater Nashville chapter of Susan G. Komen organization did not fund Planned Parenthood. In a letter to its supporters Executive Director Patty Harman stressed:
"We at the Greater Nashville Affiliate are not part of these overarching decisions. None of the current funding from Komen Greater Nashville for vital services in Middle Tennessee has been halted. We continue to fund programs in counties that provide the highest level of service to our community."
"I will not donate money to them anymore," Seehafer said.
Still local chapters are feeling the backlash of the national decision.
"We've already received several donations at our health centers and here in our administrative offices," Teague said.
While there are many who support Komen's decision, others do not.
Nationally Planned Parenthood has seen a spike in donations. So far at least $400,000 has been received. Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York has pledge to match donations to the Breast Health fund up to $250,000.
email: acline-thomas@newschannel5.com
