Komen of Triangle 'saddened, angry' by national charity's decisions

Komen later reversed its decision, but chief development officer for Komen NC Triangle Bill Peck said in a statement Monday that the actions "will continue to create questions regarding corporate governance and leadership at the national level."

Komen announced last month that it would exclude Planned Parenthood, which provides a range of women's health care services including abortions, from future grants for breast-cancer screenings because it was under congressional investigation.

The charity cited a probe backed by anti-abortion groups and launched by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., to determine if Planned Parenthood improperly spent public money on abortions. Planned Parenthood says taxpayer money is strictly separated.

The breast cancer charity reversed course after its decision created a three-day firestorm of criticism. Members of Congress and Komen affiliates accused the group's national leadership of bending to pressure from anti-abortion activists. 

Peck said those decisions were made without the input of local affiliates and that Komen NC Triangle had raised its concerns with the charity's national leadership.

"We sincerely regret how these decisions may have negatively impacted the community's view of Susan G. Komen, but we want everyone to know that we remain focused on providing resources to the women in our local community that need support," Peck said. "There is still so much to be done."