How Much Of Komen Money Goes To Research

This year, nosotros've been looking into the cause of disease inquiry. We're trying to observe outstanding organizations for donors interested giving to aid out with research efforts to develop cures, or new treatments, to cancer and other diseases.

We figured that a logical place to start would be with 2 large-proper name organizations: the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The first question we asked was "What do they do?", and the start thing we plant surprised us: funding research into cures or new treatments is a relatively small-scale part of their activities.

American Cancer Gild

The American Cancer Society'south 2008 IRS Form 990 demonstrates that ACS is not primarily a research organisation.

The following chart shows a breakdown of the American Cancer Society's Program expenses in 2008; explanatory notes follow. (Note these figures include the payments to affiliates — which themselves account for about ane/iii of the American Cancer Society'due south expenses — according to the breakup in Statement 7 of the 990.)

The 990 offers these notes to explain the different categories (quoted from Function III of the 2008 990):

Patient support: Programs to assist cancer patients and their families and ease the burden of cancer for them.
Prevention: Programs that provide the public and health professionals with information and education to prevent cancer occurrences or to reduce the take chances of developing cancer. (My emphasis)
Detection/treatment: Programs directed at finding cancer before clinically apparant & that provide information about cancer treatments for cure, recurrence, symptom management, and pain control.
Enquiry: Financial support provided to academic institutions and scientists to seek new knowledge near the causes, prevention. and cure of cancer, and to conduct epidemiological and behavioral studies.

Susan Grand. Komen for the Cure

Susan G. Komen'due south 2008 audited financials paint a similar motion picture: information technology is not primarily a research (or research-funding) organization.

The chart below shows Komen'southward 2008 program expenses, which include the central organization's activities as well equally those of the affiliates.

Komen'south 2008 Form 990, Schedule O offers additional explanation almost the "public health teaching" category. The following is taken from the outset of the section discussing its public health education programme:

Komen has formed informational councils to address the chest wellness and chest cancer needs of people from unlike cultures and backgrounds… Nosotros have developed a variety of educational materials for specific audiences in English language and most are also available in Spanish… Examples of our education materials include – Breast Self-Awareness (BSA) cards in 12 languages for 14 specific audiences – Full general breast health and chest cancer brochures and fact sheets – Booklets with support data for survivors and co-survivors – Outreach resource including breast cocky-sensation information in CD-ROM, DVD or VHS formats.

Bottom line

We oasis't all the same established anything about whether the American Cancer Society or Susan 1000. Komen is effective (or ineffective) at accomplishing their missions.

But we, at to the lowest degree, take been surprised by this fairly bones information.

Both organizations seem to spend relatively small portions of their funds on researching new treatments or cures.
Both organizations spend significant portions of their funds on "raising awareness" type activities.

I personally feel more negative on the two charities equally a result of this bones bank check, because (a) I notice research into cures/treatments as having a potentially huge upside in humanitarian terms, while public didactics and provision of existing treatments (in the developed world) don't seem nearly so promising to me; (b) the "education" type activities are a red flag to me that research, specifically, may non have room for more than funding.

Others may disagree, and I may change my mind after getting more than information. Only I wonder how many of the donors to these organizations have considered the diversity of different activities that "fighting cancer" can hateful, and considered whether they'd rather give to an system that's focused on a detail 1 of them.

Source: https://blog.givewell.org/2010/05/18/how-the-american-cancer-society-and-susan-g-komen-for-the-cure-spend-their-money/

Posted by: falktrards.blogspot.com