I wanted to take the opportunity to address some misinformation that Mr. Jim Walker, the sports editor of The Tribune, shared in his opinion piece on Sunday, Aug. 25 regarding his personal views on the services Susan G. Komen provides and where the money goes.

Globally, Susan G. Komen is the only breast cancer organization attacking breast cancer on all fronts through research, community outreach and advocacy.

Locally, Komen Columbus has provided funding to the Ironton community with programs at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Southern Ohio Medical Center, Marietta Memorial, Meigs County Cancer Initiative and other organizations in southeastern Ohio.

This year alone, Komen Columbus has provided $235,716 in grant funding to organizations that serve Ironton — a number unmatched by any other breast cancer group. In total, more than $2 million has been granted to the area — making mammography and supportive services available to the women of Ironton and Lawrence County. In addition, many of the services provided by The James and Ohio Health mobile mammography coaches were funded by Komen Columbus.

When people donate to or fundraise for Komen Columbus, 75 cents of every dollar goes to our overall mission, which includes work at the community, national and global level to provide critical help to women today and to research better outcomes for women tomorrow.

Seventy-five percent of funds raised stay in your community to help your neighbors. Funds raised for other organizations may never reach your county. Additionally, 25 percent of funds raised by Komen Columbus go to research.

Komen is the single, largest non-profit funder of breast cancer research — funding close to the $790 million in research Susan G. Komen has granted in the last 30 years. Komen has had a hand in every major break-through in breast cancer treatment

Mr. Walker’s comments regarding Planned Parenthood and Komen Columbus are inaccurate. Komen Columbus has never funded Planned Parenthood.

Our top funding priority continues to be providing access to screening mammograms, which Planned Parenthood does not provide locally. It’s important to be clear that Komen is neither a pro-choice or pro-life organization. Our work focuses on saving the lives of breast cancer patients, and we choose to honor their battles by not focusing on any other issue.

Thank you for allowing us to address these points and clarify any misinformation. Our doors are always open to those in need of breast health education or free or low cost breast health services. For more information, call us at (614) 297-8155 or visit komencolumbus.org.

Katie Carter

Executive Director

Columbus Affiliate of

Susan G. Komen