president's corner - april 2020

We are looking at our work from a new perspective after a couple of months of the COVID-19 crisis. I know for me, there have been times of fear of the unknown, but through it all, I have also been inspired by stories of pure faith, hope and selflessness. This is what drives and inspires me in the frontline work we do to save precious lives every day at PDHC.

At the forefront of my mind during this crisis has been the reminder that “Do not be afraid,” or “Fear Not,” appears 365 times in the Bible, one time for each day of the year. What a source of strength and encouragement this has been for me, especially Isaiah 41:10; “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

We are all in this together. Not one of us has been unaffected by this crisis in some way. Today, I was reminded that God wants to use times like this to bring something good out of each of us. My prayer has been to ask God where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do.

At PDHC, we are not changing who we are or what we do. We are coming together as an incredible team of passionate and dedicated individuals to adapt and adjust the ways we are meeting the needs of those who need us most amidst this crisis.

We know both surgical and medication abortions are still happening near each of us every day. We are seeing newly pregnant women, who are more vulnerable to abortion amidst a temporary crisis or set of circumstances, with an even greater sense of fear and anxiety. We are also seeing more women who are reacting in fear and choosing to perform their own abortion via the abortion pill, either received from a nearby clinic or ordered online.

I was completely stunned at the number of websites available for online access to abortion drugs. There are at least 86 of these websites. Medication abortion accounted for more than one-third (39%) of all abortions in the United States – that number continues to rise.
Click on this link to see a video provided to us by a doctor with the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG): https://www.tiktok.com/@joebaca/video/6809023992129654021

Now, more than ever, we need to be there to provide hope and support during crisis to women facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies. God’s perfect timing allowed PDHC to join the Abortion Pill Rescue Network at the end of 2019 in preparation for this global crisis we are currently facing. We are now equipped to help women who regret taking the abortion pill and want a second change to reverse their abortion decision and save the life of their baby. We have already saved lives.

Women who have taken the abortion pill have a 72-hour window to initiate this life-saving service. We are answering this need with our 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. Women can reach us any time and we are able to get them into our centers quickly for life-saving help.

With the stay-at-home order, many women are feeling isolated and need someone to talk with about their pregnancies. We are fulfilling that need. Our nurses are responding with personalized phone consultations, listening to their questions and concerns and providing women with the hope and resources they need.

We are also seeing many women and families affected financially during this pandemic and more in need of crucial and scarce material aid such as diapers and wipes. We are providing for these needs.

Our parenting class participants want to stay in touch and continue their education to be the best parents they can be. Our parenting class program has been transformed into an online platform and is now available in Spanish. We are connecting with parents in need.

We aren’t going to stop doing what we are called to do. God knows the plans He has for each precious life. Maybe the next baby saved at PDHC will be a next generation doctor, nurse, police officer, firefighter, teacher, advocate for life…the list goes on. Each a precious life with God-given gifts and talents. It’s our time to shine for the glory of God, He’s got this.

Thank you for your prayers. We can’t do this without your help and continued support.

God Bless You All,
Kathy

Kathy Scanlon, Interim President