One for the money: The politics of breast cancer fundraising

When my cousin died from breast cancer more than 10 years ago, I made it a yearly ritual to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a group dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of this dreaded disease.

Sometimes, certain friends and relatives would say they couldn't give to Komen for one reason or another. They were angry that the organization funded Planned Parenthood or gave to labs that researched and tested animals.

I would shake my head at sanctimonious fools who loudly claimed to be pro-life and then hypocritically behaved otherwise. Or I would respond that arguments for human, rather than animal studies, while valid, were no reason to discount the life-saving efforts of an organization dedicated to ending breast cancer.

Whether someone is crazy on the right or left, they are still crazy and deserving of my scorn.

Last week, I found myself in a conundrum.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure pulled funding for Planned Parenthood, and I was outraged. All of a sudden, different kinds of friends were calling on me to stop raising money for the group.

Wasn't that a pink-colored pickle?

After a few days of intense public pressure, Komen reversed its decision. Kind of. They announced Planned Parenthood could continue to apply for grants, but left it unclear as to whether or not those grants would be approved.

This episode has brought into question Komen's political affiliations and forever tarnished its reputation. For some, the reversal on Planned Parenthood simply isn't enough to reverse a boycott.

Disease-fighting money cannot come from, and go to, only like-minded individuals. I prefer working with groups that are open-minded and tolerant, but I've always thought that refusing to help worthy organizations based on ideology is wrong. Inaction really harms all of us.

At the same time, I can't help but wonder if Komen is worthy of my fundraising efforts and money. Maybe I should give to the American Cancer Society or Planned Parenthood directly. They provide prevention and treatment, and are more in line with my values.

There are no easy answers to this question, and those who disagree aren't thinking hard enough.

If I refuse to help Komen because we're at odds politically or socially, and then I'm stricken with breast cancer, do I have any right to treatment or cures funded by Komen? I wonder.

Yet there is some worth to voting with your wallet. My boycott list contains companies that pollute the environment and employ child laborers.

Oh, I'll still walk for a cure. I will raise money to end breast cancer and help those who are dealing with the disease. At benefits, car washes and candy sales, I will come together with others and help find solutions that might benefit granddaughters, nieces or cousins.

I will fight a disease that is taking away too many wonderful souls, wicked and righteous alike. But I can't say for sure which organization will get my money. Not until I think a little harder.