I admit that I've been conflicted as to whether or not to do the local Komen 5K race for the cure.
Note: I regularly run (or powerwalk) races of various distances.
On one hand, I've enjoyed this race in the past. On the other hand, I'd hate to think that I was supporting some sort of right wing agenda.
I did get the following from the local Komen foundation: (below the fold).
So, do it or not? Do you have any thoughts?
Setting the Record Straight
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is committed to serving women in need. In 2011, the Memorial Affiliate, which serves 36 counties in central Illinois, awarded more than $765,000 in local community health grants and mission programs for breast health awareness, education, screening and treatment. In addition, we funded 240,000 for cutting edge national research that may lead to vaccines, along with ways to stop aggressive and metastatic breast disease and to develop scientifically sound prevention strategies.
Recently, our national organization faced some controversy. Our leadership allowed themselves to be pulled into a national debate that distracted from our core mission: to end breast cancer. They promise that will never happen again. No other breast cancer organization does as much to find cures for breast cancer and to help women who face this disease. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has spent 30 years seeking cures and helping low-income, uninsured and under-served women, and that mission did not and will not change.
Locally, funding for the Memorial Affiliate is more critical than ever. In February, Governor Pat Quinn announced plans to cut $3 million from the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, potentially leaving 7,000 low-income and uninsured women in the state without access to screening mammograms. Individual and corporate donations can help us fill that funding void.
Following Through On Our Promise
Susan G. Komen's mission is the same today as it was the day of its founding in 1982: to find a cure and end breast cancer, forever.
This mission is too important to be overshadowed by recent controversies. Questions about our national organization's grant-making policies spurred much debate. So, let us be clear: the Memorial Affiliate considers all grants based on their merits. Grants are awarded where they will have the greatest impact, do the most good and fit our community profile. A complete list of local grant recipients and how those dollars are used is available at komenmemorial.org.
Nationally, Komen funded $103 million last year alone to 2,000 community programs that provided screenings, treatment, education, social and financial support for women before, during and after treatment. We provided 700,000 breast screenings last year and gave financial support to another 100,000 women and families.
Komen has invested more in breast cancer research than any other non-profit (second only to the federal government). Our research investments have helped reduce breast cancer death rates by 30 percent in 20 years. Many women today are "beating" breast cancer all together or living longer with better treatments developed with the help of Komen research funding.
75% of every dollar donated to the Memorial Affiliate stays in our community, 25% goes to national research to find a cure. No other organization puts as much money back into its local communities for screening, treatment, education, and outreach. When area residents donate to the Memorial Affiliate they are helping their neighbors, friends and family right here at home.
Less Talk. More Action.
Throughout our history, we have funded the very best scientific and community health grants so that we can deliver the best outcomes and treatment to people uniformly throughout the world. But, our work is not complete. We need your help to reach our ultimate goal of a world without breast cancer. So, please join us for the 27th Komen Peoria Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 12th at the Metro Centre. Our theme is Less Talk. More Action. You can help us take action by registering online at komenmemorial.org. Your registration helps get us to the starting line. Your fundraising will help get us to the finish line!