Jonathan Peltz at the Miami New Times: "'Donald Trump' and 'protecting patients' access to health care' are two phrases that aren't generally associated with each other. But that fact didn't seem to bother the American Cancer Society (ACS), which hosted its fundraiser Rock Palm Beach at Trump's Mar-a-Lago [on February 10]."
I'm a cancer survivor whose life was saved by the Affordable Care Act, and Peltz interviewed me for the piece.
Xeni Jardin, a journalist with the group blog Boing Boing, as well as a breast cancer survivor and an activist for the rights of cancer patients, voiced concerns over the optics of holding an event that is supposed to benefit cancer patients at a venue owned by a man who wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act. "I think it's disgusting," Xeni told New Times. "It seems callous and out of touch."
Lori Stoll, the honorary chairwoman of the gala, recently told the Palm Beach Post: "We are ready to party," regardless of whether there is added security because of the president's visit. Jardin took offense to Stoll's comment, saying, "I don't know if we're talking about the same disease here. I think to say that about cancer is shockingly out of touch. There are many places to host a fundraiser… To reward a man who has threatened to take away my ability to get cancer treatment… It's kind of like dancing with the Devil."
Jardin believes the ACS should boycott Trump because he does not seem to have a reverence for science or medical research. "The president talks about anti-vaccination… Everything he stands for is the opposite of what patients like me need."
Responding to Jardin's sentiment, Carver said, "The American Cancer Society has to make business decisions based on a variety of factors… There has not been a specific policy proposal made about it to date. But when there is, we'll have to be looking at it through the lens of cancer patients and make a determination on our position on it. So until there is a specific policy proposal… we don't know." Regarding the event at Mar-a-Lago, he continued, "We pay to be there. The fact of the matter is that the ACS has a contract with Mar-a-Lago."
But Jardin isn't buying it. "Bullshit," she said. "It is so out of touch with the day-to-day lives of people like me who are trying not to die… The organization is supposed to stand for the dignity and right to life of cancer patients. To say it's nonpartisan is a foolish thing to say."
Reached for comment, Romero Britto offered a nonpartisan statement of his own: "Cancer is a terrible disease. Millions of people are dying around the world due to this disease. I hope… we can raise a ton of money for cancer research. I am happy that my art is an instrument to help others."
Read the full article here.
U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump (R), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe (L) pose for a photograph before attending dinner at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
From an earlier 'STATnews' item on the event:
Under the banner of "Rock Palm Beach," the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society eschews formal-wear and instead advises its attendees to come in "colorful chic attire."
The party, planned for Feb. 10, will feature "lavish food stations" along with "several musical acts" — including Lou Gramm, former lead singer of Foreigner — and "surprise guests," according to the event's website.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe attend dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida U.S., February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
