By Julia Lyon

and Kirsten Stewart

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Some Utahns are convinced that conservative politics have triumphed over women’s health after a decision by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to halt funding for cancer programs offered by Planned Parenthood.

Komen, the breast-cancer charity known for its pink ribbons and annual community runs, decided late last year to stop funding any organization under investigation. Planned Parenthood is being investigated for alleged financial improprieties by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, with the encouragement of anti-abortion groups.

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At a glance

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Donation flood already makes up Komen gap

Planned Parenthood Federation of America may have already replaced the $680,000 in funding it lost from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation for its breast-cancer prevention programs, the group said today.

Riding a wave of Internet appeals, Planned Parenthood received pledges of $400,000 from 6,000 donors as of 2 p.m. yesterday, said Tait Sye, a spokesman. Three large donors also surfaced: The Amy and Lee Fikes’ Foundation, run by the head of closely held Bonanza Oil Co. in Dallas, pledged $250,000; New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he’ll match the next $250,000 given and Credo, a mobile-phone company, promised $200,000.

The decision by the Dallas-based Komen foundation has spurred a tsunami of online comments and petitions that added political fuel to the dispute and involved corporate funders for Komen, including Yoplait, the French yogurt maker, among others.

“This has been a contentious issue,” said Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brinker of Komen in a conference call.

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The charity’s decision became public Tuesday, igniting criticism and praise across the country.

Mary Woodhead, a Salt Lake City attorney, says she won’t be among the thousands of Utahns who participate in this year’s Utah Race for the Cure. And she’ll discourage her friends, too.

"Now they have specifically identified themselves as part of the anti-women’s health care movement," Woodhead said.

By Thursday morning, Komen’s Salt Lake City affiliate had received several dozen emails from community members, primarily criticizing the funding decision. Comments on its Facebook page were predominantly negative, with posters calling Komen’s decision a "boycott" of Planned Parenthood, which they will support instead.

Planned Parenthood said the Komen grants totaled roughly $680,000 last year and $580,000 the year before, going to at least 19 of its affiliates for breast-cancer screening and other breast-health services.

None of those dollars went to Planned Parenthood in Utah.

In 2008, the state’s Planned Parenthood Association received a small Komen grant of $11,925 for breast health cards. The laminated breast-examination guides were designed to hang in the shower, said association director Karrie Galloway.

"But the last time we applied we were not given funding," she said.

Now funding for the laminated cards comes out of the association’s $7 million budget, a combination of federal funds, private donations and clinical revenue for care provided patients.

"We’re not talking about a lot of money," said Galloway of the rejected Komen application. "But we’re on a lean budget, and every little bit helps."

She said people have called the clinic and approached her in public to voice frustration over the ban.

"There are a lot of women out there who give to Komen and Planned Parenthood," she said. "We are two organizations that are fighting to improve health care for women."

Planned Parenthood of Utah started providing abortions in 2010, after the Komen funding ended.

Komen funding has always been limited to breast-health programs, said Debbie Mintowt, executive director of the Komen Salt Lake City affiliate.

"When we have funded [Planned Parenthood] in the past, it is a perception that has been an unspoken support of the other services," she said. "Whereas our involvement has simply been to provide services … related to breast health."