The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Society Won't Accept Donation from a Topless Show

Being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Society is soliciting donations to bring more awareness to the ubiquity of breast cancer in women, but one organization that wants to make a donation is being turned away due to the nature of the business.

It’s a topless show, and the ladies involved would be only too happy to make the donation to breast cancer awareness but for the policy of Komen not to accept donations from topless bars.

Silly decision you say?

Or do you feel the nature of the business would trivialize the mission of the Komen organization to bring awareness to the scourge of breast cancer?

Well, let’s examine:

For their 26th anniversary show, Crazy Girls at the Riviera wanted to donate a portion of ticket sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, but the foundation declined their offer.
"We were all pretty shocked. Why would they refuse?" dancer Summer Ferguson asked.
The topless show dancers say they've had dancers on the show who experienced breast cancer so it's very personal to them.
"It's really hard not to take it personal. Breast cancer runs in my family as well, so it's really hurtful," said a dancer who goes by her stage name, Victoria.
Southern Nevada's Executive Director Stephanie Kirby said it's Susan G. Komen's national policy to not partner with certain businesses, especially ones that may sexualize women.
"It just doesn't fall in line with who we are as an organization. There are too many survivors out there who no longer have the body part that is being displayed at a lot of these shows," Kirby said.
Kirby said they need to respect the survivors and those fighting breast cancer now.
"And we respect the efforts that are being made. It's just not a partnership we can enter in to. We're not too good for the money, and we're not trying to be snobs about it," Kirby said.
Kirby said their door is always open, and they wish they had had a chance to talk with the dancers about their policy.
The girls say they still can't understand.
"It's touched all our lives, and if we want to help, it doesn't matter what we're associated with. Would I be able to donate on my own despite my job now?" Ferguson exclaimed.
The show is currently looking for another breast cancer nonprofit to help with its 26th anniversary show on Thursday.

Which I’m sure they’d find in no time.

And I do understand the reluctance of Komen not to accept the donation based on the feeling of many survivors that the lack of that body part is very hurtful.

But shouldn’t Komen realize that there are women like the ones quoted in the story who’ve one way or another been affected by breast cancer.

And if a topless dancer could donate part of her salary on her own to Komen without them knowing how she earned the money, what difference would it make if her salary and that of the other dancers were donated as part of the show

CBS 5 - KPHO