After three days of controversy surrounding the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity’s decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood, Komen announced today they are reversing the decision.
“We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives,” a Komen statement said.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the charity had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from grants due to it being under government investigation – a fishing expedition launched in Congress at the urging of anti-abortion groups.
After three days of virulent criticism flooding the Internet and jeopardizing Komen’s iconic image, the charity said it would change the criteria “to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.”
“We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants,” the statement said.
Many of Komen’s affiliates openly rebelled against the decision to cut the funding, which totaled $680,000 in 2011. Additionally, Komen was flooded with negative comments via emails, Twitter and Facebook – many of the messages indicating that donations to Komen will cease due to the decision.
The Komen decision triggered an outpouring of support for Planned Parenthood, who reported incoming donations surpassing $3 million since the story broke. Planned Parenthood has pledged to use the funds to maintain and expand its breast health services.
On Thursday, Komen held a news conference in response to the erupted controversy, and denied that its decision was driven by pressure from anti-abortion groups.
“We don’t base our funding decisions … on whether one side or the other will be pleased,” said Komen’s founder and CEO, Nancy Brinker.
While initially Komen had based the decision to bar grants to organizations under investigation, Brinker insisted that additional factors, such as changes in the types of breast-health providers it wanted to support, were involved.
A source at Komen’s headquarters in Dallas with direct knowledge of decision-making gave a different account. The source said the new policies were established with the intention of deliberately targeting Planned Parenthood. According to the source, who wished to remain anonymity for fear of repercussions, a driving force behind the move was Karen Handel. Handel was hired as vice president for public policy by Komen last year after losing a campaign for governor in Georgia in which she stressed her anti-abortion views and frequently condemned Planned Parenthood.
In an interview with MSNBC, Brinker said Handel didn’t have a significant role in the policy change.
[ washingtontimes.com via The Associated Press ]
It took SexyNatalie36D about 3 months to raise the $7,000 she needed for her surgery. She joined the ranks of MFI’s many success stories on December 24, 2011 which most would say was quite a Christmas gift. Her friends say “Amazing girl and very fun to talk to. Sexy doesn’t even begin to describe her. She tops all the rest around here, get to know her and help her out, she definitely deserves the best”, “a gorgeous and very sweet lady. awesome pics with an awesome smile. great to chat to and to get to know 
treat her well gents and give her every dollar that you can”, and “I LOVE MY QUEEN! But I am just her pet 
”.
- How long have you wanted surgery?
7 Years. - Where did you hear about MFI?
Google “Free Implants.” - How long did it take you?
3 Months. - About how many hours per day or week did you spend on MFI?
24hrs a week. - What do you think was the most successful thing you did on the site?
Really got to know some of my good friends on here. - Do you have any special advice for other ladies?
Yes be patient but aggressive, and you will make it. Set mini goals and try your hardest to make it. - Tell us about your first and last donation.
My first donation was for $25 dollars, unfortunately he left soon after. My last donation was on Xmas eve for over $600 it made a very special Christmas gift. - How much of your total was from messages and how much from donations?
$605 messages and $6401 in donations. - When did you realize this might work for you?
From my first donation! - How big are you planning to go?
As big as I can: ) - Do your friends and family know about you and MFI?
No. - What’s the best thing a benefactor did for you?
Was a true friend. - What was your favorite moment during your time on MFI?
My favorite moment was making it to HOF on Christmas eve. - Was there anyone who you took inspiration from on your trip to the Hall of Fame?
Yes seeing that girls made it in 1 month really inspired me to try harder. - Has being on MFI made any difference in your life besides breasts and time?
Yes, MFI helped bring out a naughty side in me : ) - Would you recommend it for a friend?
Hell Yes! - Which lady are you rooting for to succeed next?
(no answer) - What new feature would you most like to see on MFI?
I would like to you being able to comment on all feedback, and also not make feed back anonymous. - If you could tell the benefactors here one thing, what would it be?
Guys when the girls are new be patient with them. Other than that I would like to say Thank You for all the support! We Made It!! - What’s the first piece of lingerie you plan to purchase when you get your new breasts?
Actually I’m going to wait on a very special friend on here to order it off my wish list ; ).
Bonus Questions
- What question would you like me to ask the next person to make the Hall of Fame?
How does it feel? - What was the hardest thing about the site for you?
Dealing with the one or two bad apples on the site. - Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Girls if you stay focused and treat the guys as real friends instead of $ signs you will make it too.
A relatively new test performed on a sample of a woman’s saliva can help identify her risk of developing breast cancer. The test, developed by Intergenetics, can identify genetic markers which show how likely a woman is to develop breast cancer. Armed with the results, women can work with their physician to create a care plan to help ensure early detection of potential breast cancer. The test, which is called Onca Vue, is covered by many major insurance companies.
[ Fox News Latino ]
RedRiding took about six months to reach her goal of about $6,400. The image at right is a before picture.
- When was your surgery?
23rd October 2011. - How did you bring up MFI with your doctor?
The company I had chosen had dealt with MFI on many occasions (the reason I choose them over rival companies). - How did your doctor feel about MFI?
He didn’t mind, asked a few questions but was fine with it all. - Did you doctor have you do anything pre-surgery to help make things easier?
No. - Did you do anything pre-surgery that was recommended on the internet or by other women?
No. - How big are your implants and what kind are they (saline, silicon, profile, etc)?
380 cc and Silicon. - How were they implanted (over muscle, under, incision type etc)? Why did you choose that method?
Under the muscle. The surgeon made all of the vital recommendations based on my body shape/what I wanted. Although, I had the final say. - How did you decide how big to go and what type of implants to get?
I spoke to the surgeon about my needs and he recommended two sizes for me. I tried the implants on in a bra and based my decisions from that. - How long after surgery were you in pain?
About a week. - Did you need someone to help you with normal tasks after surgery? If so, what did they do?
Yes. My boyfriend did EVERYTHING for me! - Did your doctor have any post-surgery advice that really seemed to help with your recovery and/or scar reduction?
Not really. Sleep as upright as possible to help reduce swelling. - Did you do anything else post-surgery that really helped with your recovery?
No. I was told recovery would be very quick as I was a non smoker who didn’t really drink. - How long before you could resume normal activity?
After 10 days I was back at work. - What was your biggest surprise post-surgery?
How big my boobs were and the fact they had to settle/drop. - How closely did you follow your doctor’s advice?
To the letter! - What did you do to get your home ready for your recovery?
Nothing. Made sure my daughter wasn’t around for a couple of days so I could recover properly. - Anything you wish you’d done differently?
No, very happy! - Were there any activities that were surprisingly difficult or painful?
Everything was hard in the beginning. I was a little worried as I found it very difficult to raise my right arm although I could raise my left. - Was there anything you did that turned out to be surprisingly helpful?
Rested!! Although I tried not to stay in bed all day. - How did your first “public appearance” with your new boobs go? Any advice for others?
My boob operation was always for me. Friends were surprised as they thought I’d look like a Barbie Doll, but were pleasantly surprised by my appearance. - Did you find any sites with really good advice on any part of the implant process?
None specifically. I researched my surgeon and was very happy with him. - Have you had any complications?
No. - Anything else you’d like to mention?
I never thought that my dream would come true. Many thanks to all the people out there who made it possible. MFI was a very interesting experience filled with highs and lows! But it’s well worth the journey.
This image is, of course, an after.
This is not medical advice. This is advice from a woman who has had implant surgery. You should also ask your doctor as every person is different and you can’t be sure that your situation is the same as anyone else’s. If you’ve had surgery and would like to answer these questions, drop me a line, I’d love to include you.
Founder Jean-Claude Mas, 72, of French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was arrested in his home last Thursday and charged with involuntary injury.
Mas’s company created an international health scare with thousands of women who have received the implants fearing their implants could leak. Speaking out for the first time since the scandal erupted in December, Mas acknowledged that he had used unapproved silicone for the 300,000+ implants sold around the world, yet scoffed at the idea that it posed a health risk.
PIP closed down in March 2010 after health officials discovered the company using a non-medical grade silicone in the implants. A worldwide panic started last month when the French government advised women with the implants to have them removed due to possibilities of rupture and leakage into the body.
Though the implants were pulled from the market in several countries, European governments have taken different positions regarding the health risk. German, Czech and French authorities say the implants should be removed, while Britain says there is not enough evidence to suggest that the implants be taken out in all cases.
According to estimates, more than 42,000 women in Britain received the implants, over 30,000 in France, 9,000 in Australia, 4,000 in Italy, and nearly 25,000 were sold in Brazil.
The implants are not approved for use in the United States.
[ From: thesun.co.uk ]
