FrONTLINE...

Dear Friends,
 
Pregnancy Resource Centers have been on the frontline for more than 50 years, walking alongside women facing unexpected and challenging pregnancies, compassionately caring for them and their babies, helping save women from the known trauma of abortion, and empowering them to choose life for their babies.  It begins with that unique and crucial intervention piece that happens in our center, taking the time to sit with a woman and really listen to her personal challenges and obstacles, providing her with a vision beyond her circumstances, and helping her to see her value and the life of her child through God’s eyes. Relationships are formed and trust is built as we help her resolve her issues and problems in a life-affirming way.  
 
At PDHC, when we say we are rescuing lives and impacting generations, one heartbeat at a time, that is exactly what we are doing, and the ultrasound is one of our most powerful tools in the center. You will see this in today’s story shared by a woman who came to PDHC abortion determined. After seeing her baby’s arms and legs fully formed and moving, and a strong, beating heartbeat on the ultrasound screen, she immediately changed her mind and chose life for her baby. I envision Jesus smiling.  
 
This intimate bonding time between the nurse and the new mom and between mom and her baby is just the beginning, as a miraculous moment of seeing her baby for the very first time is shared. Their journey together continues as their relationship grows, and mom is provided with ongoing physical, emotional, and spiritual support so she never feels alone. 
 
In the last 15 years, PDHC has provided 13,792 initial ultrasounds (a total of 16,734, as sometimes a new mom requires multiple scans), resulting in 10,894 life decisions. Think about those thousands of lives saved from abortion that are now 15 years old. They will become our future doctors, nurses, teachers, pastors, priests, missionaries, first responders, moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, and the list goes on. Each with God-given spiritual gifts and talents which will impact the next generation.  Some of those 15-year-olds may now be in our schools, hearing messages from our Common Sense Culture educators, learning about the importance of their character development and the healthy choices and behaviors they need to achieve their life goals for a bright and healthy future.
 
Our fight to help rescue lives and impact families for generations continues. PDHC is part of the Ohio Pregnancy Resource Center Coalition, made up of over 100 pregnancy centers in Ohio, helping to make abortion unnecessary. According to the latest abortion statistics released by the Ohio Department of Health, in 2021, there were 21,813 abortions in Ohio, of which 3,551 were in Franklin and Fairfield Counties. The importance and impact of pregnancy resource centers in the community as one of the first lines of defense are undeniable. The latest impact numbers of Ohio pregnancy centers includes 126,590 individuals served, and over $9 million in free medical services. See full report here.
 
However, there are many who don’t want us to succeed. Last week, pro-abortion advocates announced the language for their ballot initiative to enshrine abortion into the Ohio Constitution in this November’s General Election. It would allow abortions after babies have heartbeats and feel pain, overturn Ohio’s parental notification law when a minor seeks an abortion and eliminate the legal requirements for abortionists to follow basic hospital health and safety standards. According to Ohio Right to Life, the language is dangerously deceptive and would remove nearly every single regulation on abortion, allowing for abortion through 9 months of pregnancy.
 
See full amendment language here:  
 
Ballot initiative to enshrine abortion into the Ohio Constitution
 
Testimonies provided by Ohio Right to Life:

As an Ohio physician committed to the highest standards of care for all of my patients, I am opposed to this initiative. This abortion-industry-led proposal lowers health and safety standards for women and girls by allowing abortionists to skirt basic hospital health and safety standards. As someone who has dedicated her life to protecting and preserving my patients’ health and wellbeing, I reject this dangerous measure.
 - Dr. Lillian Miller, OB/GYN
 
The current proposed amendment to the constitution of Ohio would not allow any public discourse on the merits or lack thereof of any restrictions to abortion which most Americans agree upon. The language in this proposed amendment leaves a wide open door to legal abortion without any restriction on fetal age or development.  Abortion is complicated, personal, and sensitive, and should be debated with thoughtful and honest dialogue. I’m calling on my fellow physicians and fellow citizens to reject this ill-conceived initiative and begin an honest dialog on how to move forward. 
- Dr. Lucy LaPerna
 
As we continue on the frontline, we are so thankful for your prayers, your time volunteering, and your financial support that helps provide programs and services to make abortion unnecessary.
Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations, one heartbeat at a time.

Kathy Scanlon, PDHC President