Cancer Research and Planned Parenthood

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These organizations are listed in alphabetic order. As far as I can tell, their research is consistent with Catholic pro-life principles.

Organization	Comments
Breast Cancer Prevention Institute	Founded by Joel Brind and Dr. Angela Lanfranchi to look at the connection between abortion and contraceptives and breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Prevention Institute 30 Rehill Avenue, Suite 3400 Somerville, NJ 08876 USA
Coalition on Abortion / Breast Cancer	Coalition on Abortion / Breast Cancer P.O. Box 957133 Hoffman Estates, IL 60195-3051
Easter Seals	According to Jim Sedlak at Stop Planned Parenthood, this is a "completely clean" organization.
Michael Michael Fund	Provides money for birth-defect research and is pro-life.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.	Lids from Dannon yogurt can be cashed in until the end of November to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the "Cups of Hope" website.
NeoStem website.	"Vatican Adult Stem-Cell Research Partnership Gains Momentum."
Polycarp Research Institute	"To promote and perform research that seeks to improve the physical, psychological and spiritual condition of mankind."
Pope Pope Paul VI Institute	Home of NaProTechnology, is fully pro-life and Catholic. Their work is not directly aimed at cancer, but they see connections between promoting women's health using natural means and reducing the rate of ovarian and breast cancer.
St. Jude's Pediatric Cancer Center
Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research

Articles and Forums

• Catholic.com discussion thread.
• "An Incredible Battle and a Beautiful Baby": An article about Heidi Floyd, a survivor who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her first trimester and chose to give her baby life even though her doctor told her an abortion was her only option.
• American Life League's Stop Planned Parenthood — STOPP International.
• "Vatican Adult Stem-Cell Research Partnership Gains Momentum."
• "Vatican, biotech firm aim for stem cell paradigm shift."

Susan G. Komen Foundation

In and of itself, there is no natural connection between cancer research and the central activities of Planned Parenthood, which are devoted to contraception and abortion. The Komen Foundation purportedly supports Planned Parenthood because it claims to help screen for breast cancer. If this is true, then the support that Komen provides for Planned Parenthood makes some sense in terms of its own mission.

• "Let's Cure Breast Cancer, Not Fund Abortions."
• The Susan Komen Scandal.
• "Ohio Bishop Endorses Anti-Cancer Alternatives to Komen Foundation Fundraising."
• St. Lous Respect Life Position Statement on Susan G. Komen organization.
• 1 February 2012: "Susan G. Komen Cuts Ties to Planned Parenthood."
• 3 February 2012: "Susan G. Komen Foundation reverses position."
• 9 October 2012: "Atlanta archdiocese prohibits support of Komen foundation."

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Komen is using the upcoming weeks to raise its profile and to fundraise. As part of its local efforts, the organization will have a "Worship in Pink Weekend" in Atlanta, asking churches to have their parishioners wear pink to honor survivors and to promote early detection.

In an Oct. 8 interview, Chivers said that the memo was released to meet the needs of local parishes, as many "were asking 'Can we go ahead with this Worship in Pink Weekend?'"

In response to the archdiocesan statement, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast argued that the timing of the memo "feels mean-spirited." However, Chivers said that instead participating in the weekend, Atlanta parishes are going to promote their own "breast cancer awareness activities," which include garnering support for two organizations titled the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute and the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.

Links

• Formal and Material Cooperation in Evil.
• Life Decisions International keeps track of companies that contribute to Planned Parenthood.
• Nebraska Catholic Conference, "Survey of Medical Research Associations and Foundations."
• Planned Parenthood's list of matching-gift employers (2014-04-11).