Tucson News NowKomen's Leopold: 'Politics has no place in cancer treatment'

Komen's Leopold: 'Politics has no place in cancer treatment'

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By Kayna Whitworth - bio | email
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -

Just weeks away from the annual Susan G. Komen race for the cure in Southern Arizona and registration numbers are desperately down. Controversy over recent decisions by Komen at the national level are hurting Tucson's local chapter. According to Executive Director Jaimie Leopold race registration has dropped 30% since Komen Nationals announcement that they would cut grant funding to Planned Parenthood. The decision was reversed but it seams the damage may be done for many local chapters. In a press conference Monday February 13th Susan G. Komen for Southern Arizona representatives and survivors gathered to ask locals in Tucson to "help save our race," said Leopold.

"We are deeply concerned that the March 25th race registrations and donations are down," Leopold said. The race is the main source of funds for Southern Arizona Komen grants. The loss in money will have a severe impact on the women and men who rely on this support for breast cancer screening and treatment.

In 2011 the race attracted 10,000 people and raised $1.1 Million for Susan G. Komen of Southern Arizona. According to Komen, seventy five cents from every dollar stays here locally, the rest goes to help fund research at the national level.

"Politics have no place in cancer treatment," said Leopold. Susan G. Komen of Southern Arizona has never given grant money to Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona. If the local chapter does not raise enough money many will be forced to go without live saving mammogram's and follow up treatment.

Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.

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