If you’ve been on Facebook or Twitter lately (and don’t even try to tell me you haven’t been), then you’ve heard about the controversial decision made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to defund Planned Parenthood. The Komen Foundation – the nation’s largest breast cancer charity – had a longstanding partnership with Planned Parenthood, providing funds for cancer screenings and education for low-income women.

Planned Parenthood reports that their grants from the Komen Foundation totaled about $680,000 last year and $580,000 the year before. Over the past five years, Planned Parenthood centers have performed over four million breast exams, and roughly 170,000 of those were made possible by Komen grants.

The loss of this funding under any circumstances would be devastating. Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and sexual healthcare, information and education to almost five million men, women and teenagers every year. One in five American women has visited a Planned Parenthood health center at least once in her life. And Planned Parenthood is the only reproductive and sexual health resource for thousands of low-income women and women who live in rural and under-served areas.

Cancer screenings are among the most important services provided by Planned Parenthood. Doctors visits and tests for cervical and breast cancer are very expensive, particularly for someone without health insurance. If Planned Parenthood is unable to replace the Komen funds, their low-cost, accessible screening services will be placed at a serious risk.

But even more disappointing are the reasons behind Komen for the Cure’s decision. The Komen Foundation has long been under pressure from anti-abortion groups to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood. So why have they suddenly made the decision to cut ties? Apparently, Komen for the Cure has a new rule that prevents them from funding organizations that are under investigation by the government. So why is Planned Parenthood being investigated? Because after receiving pressure from an anti-abortion group, a Republican lawmaker launched an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s spending practices. The aim is to determine whether or not the organization uses government money to fund abortions.

This all stems from the House of Representatives’ vote last year to defund Planned Parenthood, because of its role as a provider of abortion services. But Planned Parenthood uses its government money to fund preventative services and education, not abortions. In fact, 90% of Planned Parenthood’s services have nothing to do with abortion. The measure to defund Planned Parenthood was later blocked by President Obama and Democrats in the Senate.

Many people also suspect that Komen for the Cure’s decision has to do with its new Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Karen Handel. Handel is a former politician, who ran for governor of Georgia in 2010. Part of Handel’s platform was a promise to end funding for Planned Parenthood, including breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Since the announcement, the Komen Foundation has made statements insisting that their decision was not political. No one’s buying it. This article from Jezebel features just a few of the over 1,000 Facebook comments attacking Komen for the Cure’s decision.

It took me a long time to even figure out what to say about all of this. It’s ridiculous. And absolutely devastating. Funding Planned Parenthood does NOT equate to funding abortions. Komen’s funds were not being used provide or promote abortions in any way. They were being used to provide cancer screenings to women who wouldn’t have access to them otherwise. Cancer doesn’t care about politics. It affects people whether they’re pro-choice, pro-life, anywhere, or nowhere within the political spectrum. Cancer is not something that should ever, ever get caught up in politics.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure says that their vision is “a world without breast cancer.” If that were truly their goal, then one of their top priorities would be to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood that aid under-served communities. And they wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of helping women get access to the health services they need.

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. She is “that person” who starts dancing at a party when everyone else is standing around, and if there were a Facebook stalking Olympics, she would be a gold medalist. She also has a love for cheesy 90s music, and almost died of happiness when Vanilla Ice tweeted at her. Once. Follow her on Twitter @garnethenderson.

Before you head for the nearest mall, get smart. Hundreds of companies use October to boost their image (not to mention their profits) by connecting themselves to a good cause. Just because an item is anointed with the sacred pink ribbon doesn’t make it clear where the money from this product is going.

If you really want to make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer, volunteering your time or contributing to a great, reputable charity is the way to go. But if you’re in the mood to splurge (or stock up on office supplies, paper towels, lip gloss and home furnishings) read the fine print on those pink product labels.

In the meantime, here’s a peak at nine awesome items from brands that donate a significant amount to breast cancer charities

Celebrity Tees by Bop Basics

Shopbob has partnered with Denise Richards, Hilary Duff, Sophia Bush, Nicky Hilton, Cindy Crawford and Jamie King to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tees. Each shirt has a unique design, with 50% of each sale going to Breast Cancer Network of Strength, an organization that provides emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer. Its mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.

General Mills’ “Save Lids to Save Lives” Yoplait Yogurt

This program has raised more than $19 million over the past 10 years. The program donates 10 cents to Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation for every lid mailed back by the end of the year, with a guaranteed donation of $500,000 and a cap of $1.5 million.

e.l.f.’s Super Glossy Lip Shine in Pink Kiss

Only $1 most drug stores, 100% of all sales during October benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon CollectionEstee

Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Tomboy Traveler Tool Kits & Hammers

In partnership with the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, Tomboy is working to make a $1 million donation to research. The company will donate $7 of each Tomboy Traveler tool kit sold before Dec. 31 and 50% of the purchase price of their Help Hammer Out Breast Cancer tools.

In The Pink Chocolate Collection

Put your diet on hold. 20% of the retail price of these divine chocolates are donated to fund various breast cancer research projects. Voted one of the best holiday gifts on the Today Show, the nine piece box includes flavors like Bravery Baseball Caps, Pink Paisley, Swirls, Pink Ribbon, You Go Girl!, Raspberry, and Heart of Life.

Aveda Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief

$4 from each sale will fund environmental research at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder and dedicated to funding clinical and genetic research on breast cancer at medical institutions across the globe, Aveda will donate a maximum of $300,000.

Hanky Panky Breast Cancer Signature Thong

Lacy, low-rise and adorned with a rhinestone breast cancer awareness ribbon on the hip. You can’t pass up these sexy one-size-fits-all panties. $2 of every purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Skyn ICELAND Detox Kit

In October the $45 kit gives you a month’s supply of face wash, face mist, lotion and oxygen-infusing night cream and provides $5 donation to The American Cancer Society. The collection is free of parabens, petroleum and sulfates, as well as being 100 percent vegetarian.

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