Recently, a relative reminded me of something I learned a few years ago, but that most people probably aren't aware of: Susan G. Komen for the Cure [of Breast Cancer] ("Komen") gives money to Planned Parenthood ("PP").
Komen claims to award grants to PP because in some areas, PP is the only organization that offers health-screening services to low-income women. Grants from Komen are earmarked for use only for mammography and breast cancer screening, and Komen claims to check records and investigate the usage of their funds at least twice a year, to ensure that they are being used as intended. They have devoted a section of their website to defending their choice to affiliate themselves with the abortion provider, which includes an article by Roman Catholic ethicists who argue that Komen does more good than harm and that it is okay for a Catholic to support them, despite their ties with PP, since moneys are not supposed to be used to fund abortions. (Personally, I completely disagree that PP is a morally acceptable business to associate with, but that is a topic for another post.)
Even if it is just "damage control" after a whirlwind of criticism from those opposed to abortion or PP, I appreciate Komen's willingness to make this information available and visible to the public. I wish every organization that provides other groups--PP or not--with funds would do this. As it is, it's pretty much impossible to tell exactly where your money goes after you donate, unless you're willing to spend a lot of time contacting each group directly.
On a related front, Komen is also forthcoming about its support of embryonic stem cell research. A great many other organizations that are looking for cures to disease fund this kind of research as well. I think most of us who support the rights of the unborn don't usually even think about this possibility because the idea of helping eliminate disease just sounds so good--especially if we have watched someone we love suffer because of it. Most of these "cure" organizations, like Komen, are willing to state publicly what kind of research their dollars support, even if they don't want to tell you where other grant money goes. My personal policy is to ask first before supporting a research foundation, though I admit, I have forgotten to do this before.
Personally, I don't see how anyone in the "pro-life" camp--especially a Catholic like the ethicists mentioned above--could continue to justify supporting Komen or other groups that fund this research. I suppose the only way it might be possible for such a donor would be if he is able to designate that his funds be used for another program, such as detection or prevention, and if he would not object to PP being granted money to do the detecting or preventing.
Have you ever thought about where your charitable contributions end up? What are your thoughts?
