The Komen Kollection

There has been no need for the Watchdog to weigh in on the Planned Parenthood/Komen fiasco this week.  We generally tend to write about things that otherwise might go un-noticed.  This issue – deservedly – was inescapable this week in news stories and through social media.

We remind you that we tend to focus on communications issues – on messages affecting the public dialogue about health care.  In that spirit, we compiled some of the past posts we’ve published just in the past two years on Komen’s public messages.

July 27, 2011

Website accuses Jennifer Ashton & CBS Early Show of bias on mammography “debate”

 This was actually more of an example of a media ethics issue – but it shows how some journalists have had a love affair with the Komen Foundation that may have led to imbalanced coverage.

Jun 1 2011

A new stink over breast cancer fundraising, lawsuits, and perfume

Northern Minnesota sled-dog race fundraiser gets threatening letter from Komen attorney.  And Komen’s “Promise Me” perfume peddling is criticized by breast cancer bloggers.

Feb 4 2011

Journal editorial: some health organizations are pitchmen for food industry

The journal of the Canadian Medical Association – CMAJ – published an editorial this week, “Partnerships between health organizations and the food industry risk derailing public health nutrition”.  Komen’s finger-lickin’ linkup with Kentucky Fried Chicken was one of them.

January 7, 2011

Komen supporter Colbert parodies “Lawsuits for the Cure”

Comedian Stephen Colbert, who says he is “a huge supporter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation,” nonetheless took a sarcastic swing at the organization this week “for spending almost a million dollars a year in donor funds to sue… other groups” for using the phrase “for the Cure” in their promotions.

Nov 24 2010

Center for Health Media & Policy finds other losers in “The Biggest Loser”

See the Center for Health Media and Policy blog post about something that bugged them in the “The Biggest Loser” TV program. Excerpt: “What no one missed this week was the constant and prominent placement for Ford and their “Warriors in Pink” promotion, benefiting Susan G. Komen, the breast cancer fundraising juggernaut.”

August 5, 2010

Who owns pink ideas or cure slogans? Welcome to the Charity Brawl

There may be just a few more important things to spend one’s time on in the field of breast cancer. But the Wall Street Journal reports on an ugly dispute, “Charity Brawl: Nonprofits Aren’t So Generous When a Name’s at Stake.” Excerpt quote: “It’s startling to us that Komen thinks they own pink.”

April 20, 2010

Fried chicken goes pink

The “Weighty Matters” blog criticizes Komen’s KFC deal.

January 12, 2010