Komen charity official resigns

Title: Komen charity official resigns

Author: Liz Szabo

Publication:  USA TODAY

Date: February 08, 2012

… In her resignation letter, Karen Handel, senior vice president for public policy at Komen, the USA’s largest breast cancer charity, said there had been “gross mischaracterizations” of the group’s decision to halve funding for Planned Parenthood, a move Komen reversed Friday…

Given the enormous public outcry, and potential damage to its brand and fundraising, some say Komen had no choice but to restore ties to Planned Parenthood — and sever them with Handel. “Komen needs to do everything they can for damage control,” said Michal Ann Strahilevitz, a professor of marketing at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

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Charity VP quits after abortion fund furor

Title: Charity VP quits after abortion fund furor

Author: David Morgan, Reuters

Publication:  National Post (Canada)

Date: February 08, 2012

… In her Tuesday resignation letter to Ms. Brinker, Ms. Handel acknowledged her role in developing the strategy but denied it was based on political ideology, saying: “Our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve.”

Komen insiders say Ms. Handel spent months pushing the plan to shift the organization’s grant strategy, leading the board to decide to cut off funding for 17 of the 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates in December. Her departure stirred regret among anti-abortion activists who blamed the latest development on the news media and Planned Parenthood.

Abortion advocates said Ms. Handel’s departure appeared to be a short-term effort to staunch a public relations disaster and was unlikely to dispel lingering doubts about the organization, given Komen’s ties with other high-profile political conservatives.

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