By now, most of America has heard of the debacle of The Susan G. Komen Foundation unsuccessfully attempting to stop funding Planned Parenthood and focus more on breast cancer research and education.  Twenty-four hours after announcing they would no longer be sending donated money to Planned Parenthood, the Komen Foundation reversed its decision, bending under pressure and aggressive attacks of pro-abortion groups and the liberal media.

Now begins the season of the Race for Cure events around the country; and pro-life groups are organizing to fight for the defunding of Planned Parenthood.  Sunday, April 22^nd, was the Race for the Cure in Ocean City Maryland, raising thousands of dollars for Komen Foundation.  While the oppressive cold rain may have deterred some racers, the pro-life demonstrators continued to protest abortion funding throughout the race.

In the midst of this race, the controversial decision to fund Planned Parenthood came to the forefront, with pro-life protesters holding graphic signs of the horrors of abortion as well as Defund Planned Parenthood signs.  The emotions on both sides of the issue were palpable, with one racer resorting to threats of violence against the pro-life protesters.  However, one racer said, "Komen Foundation should not be funding Planned Parenthood with our donations. I'm against abortion and it's wrong to fund abortion."  Another comment was, "It's the liberal media that forced them to go back to funding Planned Parenthood."  "Keep up the good work, and God bless you" was heard many times.  Some objected to the graphic nature of the signs, saying they were against Komen Foundation funding Planned Parenthood, but disliked the signs. One person said, "Get out of here with your signs." Perhaps the most telling comment was this: "This Race for the Cure will never be the same for me or anyone, because the pro-life group came to protest today.  Now we all have to consider what the funding of Planned Parenthood by the Komen Foundation really means to each one of us."  Indeed, the Komen Foundation must live with the graphic pictures of the horrors of abortion being part of their Race for Cure, now and in the future.  Information linking abortions to increased risks of breast cancer were also handed out with large graphic signs of breast cancer caused by abortion held for all the racers to see.

It's time for the Komen Foundation to recognize their dilemma and take appropriate actions to defund Planned Parenthood or face decreased donations and more protests from being connected forever with sponsoring abortion.

It's also time for each person supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation or running in the Race for the Cure to consider how that donation is used to fund abortions.  The choice is clear for anyone who knows that life is precious and unborn babies deserve to feel the raindrops and sunshine.

Ellen Staniszewski, member of Defend life Maryland