Rebba Martin, President, Breast Cancer Help, Inc., says Deborah Sterling will be missed for her service as President of Susan G. Komen for the Cure but she noted that, despite all of the money the organization has raised, there is still no discovery of a cause or cure for breast cancer.
On August 8, Ms. Sterling announced that she will leave the organization in September. Meanwhile, Nancy G. Brinker, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, announced she will step down from her role as CEO, but still remain with the organization to focus on fundraising.
The resignation may have been linked to the controversy surrounding its decision to fund Planned Parenthood earlier this year. On January 31, Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it would no longer provide funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, stating the foundation is barred from giving money to organizations that are under investigation. Critics charged that the foundation’s decision was politically motivated and was the result from pressure from anti-abortion groups — charges which the foundation denied. U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns led the investigation into Planned Parenthood to determine whether the organization used federal monies for abortions. On February 3, the foundation changed its decision and resumed funding for Planned Parenthood.
“We at Breast Cancer Help, Inc. want to thank Ms. Sterling for her service to Susan G. Komen for the Cure,” Rebba Martin said. “She did a lot of good at the organization and, along with Ms. Brinker, helped raise millions of dollars. Unfortunately, with all of the money that has been raised, there is still no cause or cure for breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer and other cancers saves lives, but for an organization such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, research should be its primary focus.”