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Monday, March 5, 2012

CHARITY! / City / The Ladies Breast Cancer Org. Raises $825,000 for Local Boobs, Despite Protesters

Posted by Cienna Madrid on Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Despite a line of protesters picketing out front, on Saturday, March 3, Komen for the Cure of Puget Sound raised $825,000—over twice what the organization was projecting—at their annual fancy-pants auction to provide local low-income women with free mammograms, among other things.

"Despite all the recent controversy, our community came together to support mammograms and treatment for low-income women in our area, and fund research for a cure for cancer," says Jim Clune, a spokesman for the local organization. He adds that 75 percent of the funds raised (or $618,750) is slated for mammograms, breast cancer screenings, education, and prevention for low-income and minority women in Western Washington. The other 25 percent will go toward breast cancer research.

Last year, Komen for Puget Sound provided free mammograms to over 13,000 low-income women in the Puget Sound area. However, the local organization is currently better known for the anti-choice antics of Komen national, which last month briefly pulled funding from Planned Parenthood slated for breast-cancer screenings because of Planned Parenthood's pro-choice stance on women's health care. Komen for Puget Sound privately condemned the national board's actions at the time.

I've emailed Occupy Seattle to find out how their protest went. (Word on the street is that fewer than a dozen protesters showed up.) "While we might argue that they were confused, they were also appropriate, peaceful and heartfelt," Clune says of the group. "You have to respect that."

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These look healthy:

http://www.sandsshowgirls.com/

Cut and pasted from one of SLOG's "womenist" ads.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on March 5, 2012 at 4:08 PM

I'm glad protesters were respectful and peaceful. That is the way to gather support and not offend those you need on your side. I'm also happy so much money was raised. It will save lives. Some things need everyone's support.

Posted by Vince on March 5, 2012 at 4:14 PM

"75 percent of the funds raised (or $618,750) is slated for mammograms, breast cancer screenings, education, and prevention for low-income and minority women in Western Washington. The other 25 percent will go toward breast cancer research."

Right, but how much is going back to Komen to be used to market Komen and support Anti-Choice causes?

Posted by undead ayn rand on March 5, 2012 at 4:18 PM

I am sure that Komen's local office is better at not funneling money to the HQ, but they're still supporting pinkwashing and Komen's corporatist agenda. We need better options, hopefully some former Komen supporters can split off and fund something better.

Posted by undead ayn rand on March 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM

I'm surprised that the local Komen chapter predicted such a low dollar amount would be raised, considering they raised $830,000 in 2011 (365 guests), $720,000 in 2010 (330 guests), and $765,000 in 2009 (380 guests.)

Posted by Sonya Rodgers on March 5, 2012 at 4:53 PM

@3, as I stated in my post last Friday, Komen PS says none of the funds go to Komen national.

@5, my guess is they low-balled because they weren't sure what kind of effect the national Komen scandal would have on their local fundraising efforts. It would seem the answer is, none.

Posted by Cienna Madrid on March 5, 2012 at 5:07 PM

Cienna: I participated in the demonstration, and my partner helped with organizing. As with most people who can reasonably be considered "part of Occupy Seattle" (given that it's not an organization and has no definition of membership), we've been heavily involved with some Occupy Seattle activities, and not at all involved with others. Last Sunday, after the Komen event, in response to your other post about this, I wrote:

A relatively small number of demonstrators were able to ensure that almost everyone who attended that event (i.e., those who arrived via automobile between about 5:15 and about 7:15) were thinking about the controversy surrounding the Komen Foundation when they walked in the front door. Those who could read fast enough also had on their minds a list of alternative organizations that support breast cancer research. Good job.

Karah, who also helped organize the demonstration, wrote:

The goal certainly wasn't to overwhelm the guests at Saturday's Gala with a bunch of angry protesters. We smiled and waved, did a few MicChecks, offered attendees pink flowers and handed out nearly 200 flyers with the information about alternative places to donate and facts on the Komen Foundation with URL's to research for themselves. Many guests were supportive and passerby's honked and waved in support as well. Goal accomplished.

@22 While it may have been true at some point in the past that big businesses were the major employers of America, large corporations have shipped so many of their jobs overseas that more people in this country work for the public sector and small businesses these days. Welcome to 2012, Ron!

40 people would have lined the block nicely, but about a dozen lined the only part of the entrance that was publicly-accessible. There were no bandanas, nothing unfriendly was said to anyone (except for the tough-guy hotel security clown telling me to leave when I went in to check room rates and availability, because I "was with those people out there and have no business in here"), and there were no giant boobs. I really wanted to dress up as a giant pink ribbon, but we couldn't make it happen in time.

Seattle Police Department, ever vigilant in their mission to serve, protect, prevent people from rocking the boat too much, and keep the downtown businesses happy, sent five police cruisers, at least a half-dozen bicycle cops, and a paddy wagon. There was no indication ahead of time that any of that was needed, none of it was used, and we taxpayers paid to have all those cops stand around and chat with each other after one of them briefly addressed demonstrators as we arrived on the public the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

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Posted by Phil M