What the Social World Thought of the Susan G. Komen Debacle This Week

What a week for the Susan G.Komen for the Cure foundation. An organization that I’ve supported for years faced a huge debacle this week related to an issue that has taken center stage in the conservative political debate, Planned Parenthood and providing funds to this organization for breast cancer screening and other related services.

Planned Parenthood is a place where people of all ages can get access to advice and services around women’s health.  When I was a student leader in college we used to raid their condom basket and make them available to students 24×7 and also pull their excellent brochures on everything from STDs to babysitting tips for our students as well.  Planned Parenthood has been a life saver to women who don’t have access to healthcare, providing them with breast, ovarian and other primarily “female” cancer screening. An amazing service in a world where cancer has become an epidemic.

As my sister-in-law (who is 37 with two young kids and who is an UNBELIEVABLE fighter) goes through the trauma of breast cancer, chemotherapy, massive surgery and radiation, I am thankful that other women who might not have the same access to healthcare as she has can get the screening, advice, tools and information needed to catch it early if it’s there.

Well this week Susan G. Komen for the Cure decided to pull funding from this organization for these services and the social world was not happy about it. According to Komen officials, the move to cut off grants to Planned Parenthood was based on a new policy not to fund organizations that are under investigation. Planned Parenthood has been the subject of an inquiry by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) into whether the organization used federal funds for abortion services.  In addition to hundreds of other proactive services for women, Planned Parenthood does provide legal abortion services to the community.

Well – after huge criticism and strong public reaction by local chapters of the Komen organization, supporters, and advocates in social media, Komen changed it mind and decided to continue with funding. And wow did those conversations multiply. While Komen does have a social presence (Facebook page, employees who Tweet fundraising events, etc.), conversation about the organization remains pretty flat about the organization in social media.  Well – NOT THIS WEEK! Conversations went from the hundreds to the hundred thousands with over 40% of it being NEGATIVE and 34% neutral, which typically reflects news coverage or fact based coverage.  Ouch.