TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Tampa-area residents weigh in on Komen decision
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: February 3, 2012
Updated: 02/03/2012 05:11 pm
TAMPA - The social media firestorm that led in part to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's decision not to cut funding to Planned Parenthood continued today, with local Planned Parenthood supporters responding swiftly online and to each other.
"It took them long enough to reverse it," wrote TBO.com Facebook fan Tom Belkowski. "What, did they think no one would notice?"
Many Komen supporters, including breast cancer survivors, were dismayed by the initial decision, said Ellen Bailey, a University of South Florida associate professor of public health.
It's not clear whether that sense of betrayal can be repaired right away, said Bailey, a women's health specialist.
"They felt like Komen was a sisterhood and so supportive of women's issues, and this (decision) wasn't," said Bailey, who previously worked for Planned Parenthood and has operated women's preventative health clinics.
Tampa resident Sara Scher was still reeling over Komen's decision this morning when her phone exploded with hundreds of text messages about the reversal. It made no sense, she said, that groups designed to support women's health would be at odds.
"We're just such important partners for one another," said Scher, a volunteer and board member for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.
Komen's decision wouldn't have directly affected the local clinics' ability to offer cancer screenings, gynecological services or testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The controversial abortions Planned Parenthood does provide make up 3 percent of its total services to women who tend to live with little or no health insurance, Scher said.
"How can anyone be against affordable women's health care?" she asked.
On Facebook, TBO.com fan Viki Walters said the political debate over abortion made Komen lose its focus. She applauded the reversal.
"You may be anti-abortion, but I don't know anyone who's pro-cancer," she said. It's "an excellent move on their part."
Scher said she can see some value to the sudden, passionate public conversation about Planned Parenthood. It's an opportunity for people to see all the services its clinics provide.
"I think now that this is over, Planned Parenthood is on the map," she said. "It might have helped people give us recognition for all the work that we do."
Komen, which also has been criticized for its massive number of pink commercial product endorsements, faces some new challenges to its iconic brand, said USF's Bailey. That's disappointing as cancer screenings were concrete proof of preventative health.
"It's not pink bagels," she said of the organization's fundraising campaign with Panera Bread Co. "You could put a number on the number of mammograms. That was a tangible example about what their support meant."
(813) 259-7365
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2012 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
