By Kasey Joyce
St. Louis (KSDK) - The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is one of St. Louis' largest events.
The Komen organization is coming under fire over its decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood.
Last year, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure helped raise more than $3.1 million for breast cancer research and education here in St. Louis. None of that local money has ever gone to Planned Parenthood, so Komen's decision won't change anything locally.
When the St. Louis Komen organization first started granting money to local women's health groups more than 10 years ago, Planned Parenthood of St. Louis was among the first to apply.
"We requested funding for two years in a row to purchase laminated cards to teach women to do self breast exams," said Planned Parenthood President Paula Gianino.
That grant was denied, and it was denied the next year too. The third year, Gianino said she got a courtesy call from the then head of the local Komen organization.
"She discreetly called me and said, Paula, you just need to stop applying. You're not going to get funding," said Gianino.
And with that, Planned Parenthood of St. Louis stopped applying for Komen grants.
"We haven't had a grant request from Planned Parenthood for 10 years. You can't receive a grant if you don't apply. You also have to understand we are gap funding. If someone is having its needs met by other funding, we are not going to fund," said Helen Chestnut with Komen St. Louis.
Locally, Komen supports 28 organizations that help provide mammograms, education, and support for women's health.
"Our highest priority is screening, mammograms. Twenty-one of our local organizations specifically address that need," said Chestnut.
And now, with Komen's national announcement, Planned Parenthood is not eligible for Komen money because it is the subject of a federal investigation into whether public money is being used to fund abortions.
That won't change much here locally, but it does have people talking. We received dozens of Facebook posts and emails Wednesday.
"Cancer does NOT discriminate, But the Komen Foundation does & I hope women will now donate their time to Planned Parenthood," said Kathryn Scaglione.
"Cancer - Abortion 2 different causes. Will continue to support Komen," said Jim Poulsen.
Planned Parenthood and Komen representatives both agree that the most important issue is women's health. And they hope that women won't lose out.
At last check, we had more than a 100 Facebook comments on our KSDK page about this issue. We want to hear what you think. Just go to our Facebook page.
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