The Chattanooga Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud of what we have accomplished in our region as well as across the globe. All of us; of all races, religions and political beliefs have been working together to end breast cancer forever – nothing has divided us or swayed us from this quest. Politics has absolutely no place in the fight to end breast cancer. 

Through the Chattanooga Affiliate’s 12-year history with Komen, primarily through the Race for the Cure,  along with other events, our local affiliate has raised and distributed nearly $3.

6 million to non-profit organizations, health care providers, hospitals, educational institutions, governmental agencies and breast health advocates who manage breast health programs in our Southeast Tennessee-North Georgia 16 county service area. We have also able to contribute over $790,000 to groundbreaking breast cancer research.

It is also critical to remember that since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s research programs and treatment initiatives have helped to transform most breast cancers from death sentences to treatable chronic illnesses. All major advancements in breast cancer have been touched by funding from Susan G. Komen.  Just ask a breast cancer survivor how the work of Komen has impacted his or her life and it is highly unlikely you will hear anything but gratitude for their contributions.

Prospective sponsors, donors, runners, walkers and volunteers need to know that the money raised locally does not support salaries or administrative costs at Komen National.  As it has always been, 75 percent of the monies we net through our fundraisng are devoted to breast cancer screenings, education and treatment in our 16-county coverage area with 25 percent goes toward research.

Yes, the recent actions of our headquarters in Dallas has shaken the faith of many of our local volunteers and long time supporters, but do not forget that over the last 30 years, Komen has changed the face of breast cancer globally and with their renewed commitment to affiliates and supporters to refocus on the mission and remain transparent, we ask you join forces with us to focus on the future. We ask for your continued support in our fight to end breast cancer forever.

Sarah Bowen
President Board of Directors
Chattanooga Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

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I read your letter after seeing this posted earlier today.  "Planned Parenthood’s activities increase breast cancer rate more than anything else Komen Foundation does to decrease it. For Komen to give into PP’s campaign of lies and pressure to give them money is like Mothers Against Drunk Driving letting Budweiser shake them down some funds."

You may say this is not big deal about Susan G Komen giving planned parenthood money from a grant. But . . . . what most do not understand is . . . is that abortion in and of itself increases the risk of breast cancer in a woman. Multiple abortions increase the increase. 

And another factor that will influence it is how long in the pregnancy the woman waits before having her abortion. The longer into the pregnancy, that rate increases greatly. So with every abortion, a woman puts herself at risk - a high risk - for breast cancer. 

Above this quote above was a picture of a woman standing with her fingers crossed behind her back. I thought that is me. I stand with my fingers crossed, just hoping this will not be me. I hold my breath with every mammogram, just sweating till the results come or praying I don't receive a phone call from my doctor. 

So see, it is oxymoron for Susan G Komen to give to planned parenthood. They could sure put their dollars to such better uses. Many of the participants in the walks or other fundraising ways currently experience breast cancer yet are determined to make that walk for "their" cure, for "their" hope; love ones make the walk with the same hope and all while incurring the financial hardship of the breast cancer. I, along with these people, never knew our money didn't stay within the confines of the organization. 

These organizations need to be held accountable for every penny that all these hard working people donate or work hard to raise. Yes, you claim that our local affiliate has done some good things - and they have. But I want to get deeper on this issue for the people. I want to know are you compliant with your "not for profit" status? Do they have a board that is accountable for the money raised? Who writes these grants? Are they earning their money properly? Who is over the "checkbook" of this organization? How long are individuals permitted to be on the board? Do we have multiple affiliates here in Chattanooga? 

We need these answers here locally in Chattanooga so that we know that which we support is walking in a standard that the Susan G Komen organization was set to be run. Because if not, our funds need to go elsewhere.

Debbie Johnson

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Dear Ms. Johnson,

I'm not writing this letter to take sides in the Komen debate. There's been plenty said already. But it drives me nuts when I see people post highly questionable information that they haven't bothered to substantiate. It certainly doesn't contribute to the discussion, and it's irresponsible. 

That's why everybody who sends me an e-mail telling me that Starbucks doesn't support our troops or whose Facebook status warns me that Obama refuses to use the words "Christmas tree" gets a link to Snopes.com in response.

It's an uphill battle, for sure.

The American Cancer Society website discusses this issue fairly and in great detail. It states clearly that there is no scientific evidence showing that abortion increases the risk of breast cancer. To get to there, Google "abortion breast cancer link." Click on the link that says, "Is Abortion Linked to Breast Cancer?" It took me about five seconds to find this information.

Allison Gorman