A Dark Day: Stand With Planned Parenthood

Eight and a half years ago, I walked into a Planned Parenthood for a breast exam.

It was my first time in a PP. I was living in Denver and was between jobs. That's not code for being lazy or stupid or unemployable. I had a masters degree and a series of good jobs in technology start-up companies. They were exciting to work for, but, proved not to be the most stable things. But I didn't mind, because I was young and single and only had responsibilities to myself. I underestimated my need for stability and foolishly decided to not sign up for COBRA health insurance in between jobs. "What was the point?" I'd ask myself. I was young and healthy, and new job was just around the corner.

Then I found a lump in my breast.

"Weird!" I thought. I remember calling my mom to make sure breast cancer didn't run in our family. "GET IT CHECKED ANYWAY!" she told me. So I tried.

But without insurance it was hard. Specialists all needed referrals. Primary care physicians all needed insurance. I got one nibble of someone who would see me – in a few months for $400. Screw that. It was probably just a cyst anyway.

Then I remembered Planned Parenthood had sliding scales. I don't know how I even knew this. One of my friends probably got their birth control there or something. So I gave them a call.

Not only could they take me right away, the could offer me free care. They had a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure that would pay for any breast exams, ultrasounds, and biopsies, if they proved necessary.

Unfortunately, they did prove necessary. I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood worked together and saved my life.

For the past eight years, I have given back to both these organizations. For Komen, I have participated in three "3-Days", countless Race for the Cures, and numerous third-party events. I have raised approximately $7000. I also volunteered for the local affiliate. I was their webmaster and acted as a young survival advocate. In 2009, the affiliate named me Volunteer of the Year.

I always gave money to Planned Parenthood. I also shared my story. Just last spring, I was filmed for a series of commercials they put out. It always distressed me that they were constantly having to spend energy defending themselves from attacks from right-wing extremists.

Last night, I got an email from Planned Parenthood asking me if they could include the video on their press release statement regarding Komen pulling their funding, and perhaps get a quote.

"What happened? What is going on? Huh? What? WHY?" was my first quote.

I read a few news articles. I scoured the web for information. I didn't want to believe it. It felt like my two best friends were fighting. I couldn't reconcile what was going on. I experienced cognitive dissonance at its finest.

This morning, Komen released the following:

…While it is regrettable when changes in priorities and policies affect any of our grantees, such as a longstanding partner like Planned Parenthood, we must continue to evolve to best meet the needs of the women we serve and most fully advance our mission…

From where I stand, Komen (with the recent hire of anti-choice activist and PP hater Karen Handel as VP) is doing the exact opposite. I may be a writer, but actions speak louder than words. That's why, this morning, I officially quit as volunteer and fundraiser for Komen.

It killed me to write the email – to tell people I consider friends and allies that I could no longer work with them. But I have to do what's right. Part of me wants to take the high road and fight for change from within. But that would only work if Komen listened. But they are refusing to meet with Planned Parenthood. They didn't ask for affiliate input before making this decision. And they sure as hell didn't reach out to the people they've helped.

A dark day indeed.