Komen’s asssociation with PP will affect who donates to Komen, for sure, regardless of if PP was segregating the funds and using them for breast cancer screenings. Perception is everything (read my earlier post about the branding/perception problem that Komen faces in its association with PP if you want).
This isn’t the first time that Komen has been in the hot seat for this association. Mid-last year Lifeway Christian Bookstores was marketing a pink-ribbon bible, part of the proceeds of which went to Komen for its work on breast cancer. When Lifeway found out about the relationship advice for men with Planned Parenthood, it pulled the bibles off the shelf and ended the relationship with Komen on moral grounds.
Right or wrong, I believe Komen’s problems are just beginning. Planned Parenthood may end up being the winner here as people ‘promise’ to donate even more funds to PP to offset the money others will not donate to Komen because of this relationship. Komen, and by proxy breast cancer research, will take the hit.