Since it’s inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has become the world’s most popular and best-funded breast cancer organization, known for donating money to breast cancer awareness, research and health services.
Yet a recent article from the Huffington Post claims that the foundation also uses donated money to sue other organizations that use “For the Cure” in their name.
According to the report, Komen spent an estimated $1 million on lawyer fees to stop other charities from using the words in their title.
Some local residents who have donated to the charity are outraged by the revelations.
“I find that disgraceful. That’s very sad,” said Maire Curto of Ridley Park who donates to the organization in honor of her sister, a breast cancer survivor.
Dottie DeWitt of Upper Darby still supports the foundation however. DeWitt participated in the foundation’s “Mother’s Day Walk” for the past 12 years.
“They need to protect their logo, their brand,” said DeWitt. “They’re a business so in addition to raising money and the good things that they do with that money, I think they should fight it.”
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Elaine Grobman, executive director of the Foundation’s Philadelphia chapter, told NBC10 that the organization has used donated money to fight for its trademark and that the group must defend its logo.
Grobman also released a written statement in response to the controversy:
Susan G. Komen For the Cure is not in the business of suing other charities and has never put another non-profit out of business. Nor do we intend to. The $1M figure is a gross overestimation of what Komen spends on all of its legal fees combined on an annual basis.
"Komen For the Cure" spends more than 80 percent of its donated money on programs and services. They have also received a four star rating from a group that monitors charities.
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