Komen Partnership Update

You should be seeing a slideshow of the Tubbs Romp to Stomp sponsors. If you do not, please download the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player installed.
Please go here to download - it's easy and free!

February 3, 2012

We have heard concerns from the breast cancer community about the recent changes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®’s grant policy as it affects Planned Parenthood, and have received inquiries about support that Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliates receive from the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series®.

The Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series operates as an independent event series that contributes 100 percent of event net proceeds, pledges and donations to our partner beneficiaries. Since its inception in 2003, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series has engaged nearly 30,000 people in the sport of snowshoeing and raised more than $1,800,000 in total for our beneficiaries:

Tubbs Snowshoes launched the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series as a free snowshoe event and celebration on snow. The goals of the Romp to Stomp are simple – to introduce people of all ages to a healthy, active, winter lifestyle and to contribute back to local communities through fundraising for breast cancer education and awareness programs.

Partnering with and distributing funds to local Komen Affiliates has been a key to the Romp’s success and impact in the breast cancer community. By distributing funds to local Komen Affiliates our donations and event proceeds have been dedicated to combating breast cancer on every front. Up to 75 percent of the Komen Affiliate’s net funds are granted to local organizations to provide mammogram screenings, breast health education, outreach and treatment support for underserved women. A minimum of 25 percent of net income supports the national Komen Grants Program, which funds ground breaking global breast cancer research to find the cure(s).

On Friday, February 3, 2012, Susan G Komen for the Cure released a statement announcing a change of the controversial grant policy:

Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

Please see the full statement text on Komen.org. If you have other concerns or questions about how the national guidelines affect your local Komen Affiliate’s specific grantee or partner programs, we urge you to contact them directly.

We strongly believe that your participation and fundraising at the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series enables impactful local programs in the community, and instills an appreciation for outdoor recreation and the health and fitness benefits of snowshoeing. We remain committed to putting on the best snowshoe event possible with those goals in mind.

Witnessing the input from our community concerning this issue illustrates once again the passion and dedication we share with our community around raising awareness around breast cancer while concurrently introducing men, women, boys and girls to try out snowshoeing for the first time. We are excited to see you out on the trails this year and value your support of the Romp to Stomp event; as a united front, we can continue to further awareness around breast cancer for the greatest impact in your local community.

Sincerely,

Graham Gephart
Tubbs Snowshoes
Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series®