In the wake of Susan G. Komen for the Cure cutting all its funding to Planned Parenthood for breast health screenings, The Decemberists have announced their withdrawal to participate in fundraising efforts for the organization, Rolling Stone reports.
Komen had raised money and awareness about breast cancer but recently changed its funding guidelines to exclude any organization under investigation by Congress.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure cut all its funding to Planned Parenthood for breast health screenings, bowing to anti-choice pressure and making breast health care inaccessible to many women.
Planned Parenthood health centers are often the main source of health care for women in underserved communities, providing 830,000 breast exams every year.170,000 of these were funded through Komen, along with 6,400 mammogram referrals. Without Komen's funding, many of these women could be unable to get the screenings and early detection of breast cancer that save lives.
In May, 2011, the band publicly announced its keyboardist and founding member Jenny Conlee had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancer was caught early and is currently in remission.
The Decemberists are now positioning themselves with Planned Parenthood's Breast Health Emergency Fund and released the following statement:
“The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure's recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer.
“Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right.
“We've decided to redirect the proceeds of the Team Jenny t-shirts and buttons away from Komen for the Cure. 100% of the net profits of these items will be instead donated to Planned Parenthood's Breast Health Emergency Fund.
“Please help to support this essential institution. And, if you've supported the Team Jenny effort in the past, please write to Komen for the Cure via their site or via twitter (@komenforthecure) and let them know that undermining women's health for political reasons is unacceptable.”
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