Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, the nation's leading breast cancer charity organization, ended its six-year partnership with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America on Wednesday.
Nineteen Planned Parenthood affiliates will no longer receive funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, according to a statement on Planned Parenthood's website.
Planned Parenthood said long-term pressure from anti-abortion groups following the publicizing of Susan G. Komen Foundation's partnership with the Women's Health Services in 2005 led to the split.
"We are alarmed and saddened that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appears to have succumbed to political pressure," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, in a statement. "Our greatest desire is for Komen to reconsider this policy and recommit to the partnership on which so many women count."
Staci Fox, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of North Florida, said the North Florida affiliate was not one of the 19 affected by the foundation's decision to cut funds.
"We're continuing to do what we do every day, which is take care of the women, men and teens who come to see us for critical health care services," she said. "That's really our focus."
The Susan G. Komen Foundation spokeswoman Leslie Aun told the Associated Press that Planned Parenthood is under investigation by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., to determine if the organization is using federal money to fund abortions.
Aun said the organization's decision to end the partnership with Planned Parenthood was based on a new policy that cuts funding to organizations under investigation by local, state or federal authorities.
The foundation granted the 19 affiliates about $680,000 last year and $580,000 the previous year for breast cancer screenings and breast health education, Fox said.
Planned Parenthood has about 79 locally governed affiliates nationwide operating almost 800 health centers and is the largest provider of abortions in the U.S.
Founded in 1982, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has donated more than $1.9 billion to breast cancer research, health services and advocacy.
Fox said 24 hours after the foundation's decision, about 6,000 donors nationwide raised $400,000 in support of the 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates.
"Our donors have really stepped up and given online and directly to our affiliates to help support that funding loss," she said.
The Alligator could not reach Susan G. Komen Foundation representatives for comment.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation reversed its decision to end its partnership with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America on Friday.
