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It cluttered Facebook feeds all week. The Susan G. Komen Foundation announced it would stop granting money to Planned Parenthood because its criteria said organizations under federal investigation couldn't receive the funds.
The money paid for breast screenings for women who couldn't afford them. Opponents of the decision said the Komen Foundation cut funding because some Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions.
Following three days of public outcry and pressure from dozens of U.S. senators, the foundation reversed course and apolgized to the public for casting doubt on its commitment to saving women's lives.
"Planned Parenthood is enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified that grant-making criteria," says Julie Mickelberry, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana. "We're really looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Komen partners, volunteers and their leaders."
Calls have been pouring in to Planned Parenthood of Louisiana all week. This state's chapter doesn't get any funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, though doctors at the two clinics in New Orleans and Baton Rouge do provide free breast screenings to about 4,000 low-income and uninsured women each year.
The phone has also been ringing at Susan G. Komen's local office in Metairie, where Executive Director Lisa Plunkett says the controversy is helping to raise awareness about what the foundation does.
"Donations are up locally," says Plunkett. "We're getting lots of calls of what do you do, what exactly do you fund? When I give you a dollar to Race for the Cure here in New Orleans, where does that dollar go and we encourage that."
The local Komen chapter has raised more than $2.9 million since 1992 through events like Race for the Cure. That money funds mammograms, treatments and education for women in eight parishes of southeast Louisiana.
Plunkett believes the attention of this week will only encourage women to get screened early. Breast cancer has a 98% survivability rate if detected in the early stages.
The money paid for breast screenings for women who couldn't afford them. Opponents of the decision said the Komen Foundation cut funding because some Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions.
Following three days of public outcry and pressure from dozens of U.S. senators, the foundation reversed course and apolgized to the public for casting doubt on its commitment to saving women's lives.
"Planned Parenthood is enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified that grant-making criteria," says Julie Mickelberry, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana. "We're really looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Komen partners, volunteers and their leaders."
Calls have been pouring in to Planned Parenthood of Louisiana all week. This state's chapter doesn't get any funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, though doctors at the two clinics in New Orleans and Baton Rouge do provide free breast screenings to about 4,000 low-income and uninsured women each year.
The phone has also been ringing at Susan G. Komen's local office in Metairie, where Executive Director Lisa Plunkett says the controversy is helping to raise awareness about what the foundation does.
"Donations are up locally," says Plunkett. "We're getting lots of calls of what do you do, what exactly do you fund? When I give you a dollar to Race for the Cure here in New Orleans, where does that dollar go and we encourage that."
The local Komen chapter has raised more than $2.9 million since 1992 through events like Race for the Cure. That money funds mammograms, treatments and education for women in eight parishes of southeast Louisiana.
Plunkett believes the attention of this week will only encourage women to get screened early. Breast cancer has a 98% survivability rate if detected in the early stages.
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