My beautiful grandmother. She is a breast cancer survivor.
Remarkably, Susan G. Komen foundation has managed to upset nearly the entire United States in just a short time span. The first half got mad when they cut funding to Planned Parenthood. The second half got mad when the changed their minds and included Planned Parenthood as a recipient of funds again.
I am not going to tell you which half I am. I understand half of the you think it is wrong for Susan G. Komen to send money to an organization that includes abortions as one of their services. The other half say it shouldn't matter if they offer abortions, the point is they offer breast exams & that is what Susan G Komen is supposed to support.
Did you know that only 50% of women get their annual recommended health exam? Each year in the U.S. over 202,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
The moral of the story is that women's healthcare is important. I know everyone is up in arms (understandably), but lets also use our arms to dial our doctors and set up appointments. If you haven't started doing regular self-exams. Start doing them.
Many women in this country don't have insurance. Find an agency in your area that shares your moral views and services low-income women who can't afford to receive preventative care. Get behind them and support them.
No matter if you are pro-choice, pro-life, pro/anti Planned Parenthood...you are pro-women. Lets get behind women & their health.
I'm not taking lightly people's convictions on the issue of abortion. Not in the slightest. I'm saying whatever you feel about the issue, find a way to support women's health care. If you are husband, take a long lunch and watch the kids while your wife goes to get her yearly exam.
Now, that I have said that. You can all go back to arguing about what Susan G. Komen should do with their funding...but, not on my blog comments please. :)
Thank you- I feel the same way. Nice to know there are other people out there that see the big picture, too. I think that this situation is an illustration of how so many of us would deny love to others to prove our moral self. So sad.
ReplyDeleteThenks for the comment Stephanie! I hope what happens most out of this national discussion is finding out a way to increase women's care.
DeleteLiz, you have my permission to delete this, if you feel it's going to start an arcade fire of comments.
ReplyDeleteSo I have to say that someone that I go to church with, who loves Jesus very much, works for the Susan G Komen Foundation in Seattle. She is really upset about all the media hoopla regarding this recent issue, and has come under so much professional and personal attack because of it. From her point of view, the media is not telling the full story of the situation.
To be fair, this foundation donates specified money to Planned Parenthood ONLY for breast exams and education. Nothing else! It's written in the contract. SGK is trying to help an organization that provides free health care to women who could not afford it otherwise. So, kudos to you, Liz, for pointing to the real issue at hand.
To America: Let's bless and honor and get our facts straight before we start cursing an organization that is helping save many lives. And let's pray grace and strength for those, such as my friend, who are helplessly caught in the crossfire.
Great post and great reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Great perspective!
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes...
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how we get so caught up on what divides us, instead of focusing on what should unite us?!
(And your grandma is absolutely precious!)