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Don't support race for cure, diocese says Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock has asked parishes and schools to stop supporting fundraising activities for Susan G. Komen for the Cure because some of the money may go to the largest provider of abortions in the United States. Officials with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which holds two races in the state every year to raise money for breast cancer research, deny the assertion, saying no Arkansas Planned Parenthood clinics get local or national grants. Some affiliates in other states, however, do give grants to Planned Parenthood, said Sherrye McBryde, executive director of Komen for the Cure in Arkansas. Marianne Linane, diocesan respect life director, said Monday that parishes and schools in Arkansas were sent a letter earlier this month informing them that many of the national breast cancer awareness organization's state affiliates contribute some of the money they raise to Planned Parenthood. The letter went on to say that Susan G. Komen also supports embryonic stem-cell research and refuses to acknowledge that there is a link between abortions and breast cancer. Monsignor J. Gaston Herbert, who sent the letter, plans to send another soon informing parishes and schools that "it's now a diocesan policy and that they expect them to adhere to it," Linane said, adding that several dioceses across the country have adopted similar policies in recent years. Linane said 25 percent of the money raised annually in the Race for the Cure in Little Rock, which occurs every October, goes to the national organization, which then gives out grants, including some to Planned Parenthood. All money raised by the race in Fayetteville stays in the region. "There is a tie there," Linane said. McBryde, who confirmed that 25 percent of the money raised by the Little Rock run does go to the national organization, denied that any of those funds go to Planned Parenthood. "Of course, we are incredibly saddened by this," McBryde said about the diocese's decision. "We have a long history of working with Catholic organizations four our cause." She said the Arkansas affiliate, based in Little Rock, has given $1.4 million to Catholic hospitals since the first race in 1992. The Ozark affiliate, which holds its annual race every April in Fayetteville, has given about $350,000 to Catholic hospitals in Northwest Arkansas, she said. As for some state affiliates giving money to Planned Parenthood clinics, McBryde said all the money is used for breast cancer screenings. "In some areas, Planned Parenthood maybe the only source for low-cost or free breast cancer health," McBryde said. McBryde said the Susan G. Komen for the Cure does not fund or support embryonic stem-cell research and there is no medical connection between abortions and breast cancer. More than 45,000 people ran in the Race for the Cure in Little Rock in October and raised millions of dollars for breast cancer research. In Fayetteville, this year's race is scheduled for April 21. Last year, about 15,000 people ran in the race sponsored by the Ozark affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "There are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. today," McBryde said. "In 1982, when diagnosed, most people considered it a death sentence. Now, when found early, there is a 98 percent survival rate." Alison Levin, executive director of the Ozark affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, did not return a call for comment Monday. |
