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Everyone has a story. It is visible in the individuals we serve every day at PDHC. For many, they are sharing their moment of crisis with the supportive, calming voice of a stranger on the 24/7 hotline, or receiving kind and encouraging words of support in a text or chat conversation. For others, it may be bravely sharing their story with a caring individual on what led them to walk through the doors of one of our pregnancy centers. Maybe it’s a single mom or a struggling family who, despite personal challenges in their journey, have courageously chosen life for their baby, and through the power of parenting education and practical resources, their story turns to one of hope, strength, and empowerment. Our youth are determining what their story will look like as they maneuver through the challenges of middle and high school. And finally, the story that led individuals to a recent or past abortion decision becomes a journey toward healing and forgiveness, and often leads them to a future of helping others down the same path. With stories of their own, PDHC staff and volunteers are passionate and gifted individuals led here by God, to serve this ministry well. At our recent annual Board meeting, many staff members were able to share the impact of their programs and services provided. Story after story, testimony after testimony, it is clear the impact is boundless. All these individuals abundantly share their God-given gifts for the sake of others and the impact on the heart and soul of those they serve is extraordinary. As it says in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We are so thankful for the support of the many individuals, churches, businesses, and numerous community partners that make this all possible. Thank you for walking alongside us and for sharing your stories of encouragement and hope. Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy Scanlon  
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Seeing the heartbeat of a baby during an ultrasound is a gift, a bonding moment, and precious time shared between a new mom and her nurse at PDHC. The ultrasound image shows the miracle of life to a woman who may be considering an abortion. In 2021, over 90% of abortion-vulnerable or abortion-minded women who came to PDHC for help and saw their baby’s heartbeat on an ultrasound chose life, resulting in 831 life decisions. PDHC opened the doors to its first center in 1981 and added ultrasound imaging services in 1995. Ultrasound technology continues to be a powerful tool to pregnancy resource centers, especially with the increase in the number of chemical abortions via the abortion pill. According to the latest statistics from Guttmacher Institute, chemical abortions now represent more than 50% of all abortions in the United States. In Franklin County, however, that number is well above the national average at 80%.  In response, PDHC joined Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue Network and now provides abortion pill reversal services to give a woman who regrets taking the abortion pill a second chance to save her baby. She has about 72 hours to reverse her abortion decision and PDHC stands ready to help in this critical time. She is quickly connected with a nurse in one of our centers who will perform an ultrasound to determine the viability of her pregnancy. A medical doctor will then initiate and supervise the reversal protocol. Abortion pill reversal is effective 64-68% of the time. The power of an ultrasound is undeniable. Thanks to your support and a wonderful partnership with Focus on the Family’s Option Ultrasound Program, PDHC is receiving FOUR new 3D/4D ultrasound machines. This will allow us to continue to offer the best in today’s ultrasound imaging to the women we serve. Below shows the difference between a 2D and a 3D/4D image.    Dr. William Lile, D.O., FACOG, and founder of ProLifeDoc.org, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with an active private practice near Pensacola, Florida. In 1999, Dr. Lile purchased the largest abortion practice in the Florida panhandle and stopped all of the abortions and abortion referrals. He founded prolifedoc.org, an online ministry, and produced a pro-life instructional DVD titled, “God’s Miracle of Life.”
Watch Dr. Lile’s presentation HERE at Cedarville University on God’s miracle of Life as reflected in Psalm 139:13. He also discusses the abortion pill and shares ultrasound images. Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy Scanlon On January 22, 1973 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the historical Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States. A year later, the first March for Life, founded by Nellie Gray, was held on the West Steps of the Capitol, with an estimated 20,000 supporters in attendance. On the 8th anniversary of the historical decision, PDHC opened the doors to its first pregnancy resource center on January 22, 1981. This year, the March for Life was held on Friday the 21st, and had an estimated 150,000 supporters in attendance. PDHC staff member Karoline Kress was one of those in attendance, representing the next generation of young adults standing up to protect the unborn and giving a voice to the voiceless. She shares her experience below:  Early Friday morning, I woke up in a hotel room in the city of Washington D.C.
The reason that I flew to our nation’s capital and stood outside for hours in the 20-degree weather was to give a voice to the voiceless. After dressing in layers of clothing, three layers of socks, and my coat as a final layer, I broke open my hand warmers and walked out the door. As I arrived at the metro to head to the national mall, I noticed all the youth groups with chaperones heading to the same spot I was. It reminded me of the years that I had attended March for Life in high school with my youth group. We would board a bus late Thursday night and arrive in D.C. Friday morning in time to attend the Pro-Life mass at the National Basilica and walk in the March for Life, just to board the bus after we marched past the Supreme Court for the ride home. The conviction within the hearts of youth and young people is such a witness to the sanctity of life. We truly are the Pro-Life Generation. This march is historical, and I am hopeful that it is the last march under Roe. It is a chance to make history and show up for the voiceless. The theme of this year’s March for Life is “Equality begins in the womb.”. This message was interwoven through signs, messaging, and speakers at the rally. When I arrived at the rally, I found my brother who had traveled with the pro-life group at Miami University in Oxford. During the rally, as the speakers were delivering their speeches to the crowd, several courageously shared their unexpected pregnancy stories – some chose life, while others chose abortion. Regardless of their past decision, the women were taking a stand for life in front of the nation. I was struck by the crowd’s reaction as they were sharing their testimonies. The stories of these women are what I hear every day at PDHC. The struggles of being young, scared, not feeling supported, worried about what others would think or say, buying into the lie that abortion would solve their problems, my list could go on and on. I was reminded of the gift that it is to work at PDHC and to be let into the vulnerable parts of a woman’s heart as she would sit across from me in a consulting room faced with an unexpected pregnancy. These stories that the speakers shared at the rally are of real women that I have the privilege to talk with every day. The crowd around me was captivated by the stories and hardships and the message of hope in Jesus that prevailed through it all. Among these testimonies were congressmen and women voicing their support for the pro-life movement and national speakers such as Lisa Robertson, Kirk Cameron, and Fr. Mike Schmitz. All spoke with conviction, love, and passion about the pro-life movement and upholding the dignity of all, especially the unborn children. Thinking back upon this rally, the words that have stuck with me and several others in attendance were delivered from Fr. Mike Schmitz, “Every child matters. Every woman matters. Every person matters. You Matter.” He also spoke of a young woman that had come to him for spiritual guidance during an unexpected pregnancy. She told him that she did not want to be a mom. And he responded, “you already are.” You already are. How many of our clients do I hear say, “I can’t do this” or “I am not ready to be a mom”?! And the truth is that they already are. How powerful. Science is on our side. On day one, a new life is formed - separate DNA, a unique being. At 21 days after conception a baby’s heart starts beating. At 12 weeks the baby has its own fingerprints. Each unborn baby matters. As the rally wrapped up, all 150,000 marchers traveling from various areas across the U.S. walked down Constitution Avenue towards the Supreme Court. Groups were walking in silence, praying the rosary, and some chanting cheers. One of my favorite parts of the march are all the different signs that marchers are carrying. Some are homemade while others were passed out by large groups supporting the march. I chose a sign in the shape of a heart that read “Love them both” from Live Action. I loved this sign because that is what we do within the pro-life movement. We have the opportunity to love not only the unborn baby but also the woman. March for Life is a testimony to life that has continued for 49 years. I march for the women and their unborn children that I have encountered at PDHC. I march to protect the sanctity of life. I march for the remembrance of all the lives that have been lost to abortion. I march against the narrative that society gives that empowering woman includes abortion. I march for a post-Roe America. I march so that equality may begin in the womb. If not us, then who? By Karoline Kress, PDHC Staff Member At the beginning of 2021, we selected our theme and Bible verse for the year. “Together for Life, 1981 to 2021”, reflected on PDHC’s first 40 years of Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations. God has richly blessed this ministry through the founding generation, staff and volunteers over the years, relationships built through our community and church partnerships, financial supporters to sustain our mission, passionate prayer warriors, and life-saving services for women and families in the community. Isaiah 43:19 was chosen as our Bible verse for the year as we looked ahead with a renewed sense of hope following a challenging year due to the pandemic. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” As 2021 comes to a close, we thank God for each of you and the richness of the blessings we have to celebrate:  PDHC’s Youth Development Program returned to the classroom in many schools in Franklin and Fairfield Counties this year, including some new schools. Thousands of middle and high school students were educated with medically accurate information regarding healthy relationships, life goals, decision making, media influence, peer pressure, bullying, teen pregnancy, STI’s and teen dating violence. When asked, most teens desire the same things in life: Success, respect, health, wealth and meaningful relationships. However, many of them differ in their perception of how to obtain the success they desire based on today’s culture. It is important in today’s society to teach teens they cannot simply choose their futures, they can only choose the HABITS that form them. Character is taught and modeled in every Common Sense Culture class and students are equipped with the knowledge to make healthy life choices for a brighter and empowered future. "I think this is an amazing program that really digs deep into how relationships work and what can happen, so they get stronger." ~ Student "Thank you for giving of your valuable time and sharing an important message with our students. You provided our students with a role model in which they could relate. Thank you for your time and your commitment to helping our youth. We would love to have you back next year." ~ Teacher  PDHC’s Pregnancy Intervention Services has helped over 2,300 women through over 9,800 visits this year. Many of these women in crisis visit multiple times during their pregnancy for personalized consultations, pregnancy test verification and ultrasounds. So far this year, more than 800 decisions for life have been made following a life-saving ultrasound. Abortion Pill Reversal continues to be a critical service provided at PDHC for women who have taken the first set of abortion pills, regret their decision, and want a second chance to save the life of their baby. In 2020, 80% of abortions in Franklin County were via the abortion pill. This year PDHC has been able to provide Abortion Pill Reversal Services to 10 more women. Unfortunately, some suffered a miscarriage or continued through with their abortion decision. For those struggling with their decision, we made sure to connect them with our Pregnancy Loss programs and services. Thankfully, 2 healthy babies have been born, and a few of the women are still pregnant. This year we have been challenged with our current ultrasound machines that are beyond their life expectancy and in need of replacement at our 4 centers. We are excited to announce that Focus on the Family will be covering 80% of the cost to provide us with 2 new 3D/4D machines through their wonderful Option Ultrasound Program in the new year. We were able to raise the other 20% at our Celebration for Life Galas in September, along with funding to add additional nursing staff at our centers to provide those crucial ultrasound services. PDHC’s 24/7 hotline continues to be the first point of contact for women in crisis with over 40,000 calls, texts and chats so far this year. “I cannot begin to thank the center enough for all of the unconditional love and support throughout the scariest time in my life. I felt like I had a family.” ~ PDHC Client "PDHC has been incredible! They treat you like family from the time you call and visit to the time you walk out! The nurses explained everything. Amazing staff! " ~ PDHC Client  PDHC’s Family Empowerment Programcontinued to grow this year with over 5,600 parenting class visits by more than 400 new moms and dads. Not only did they receive education to help them become better parents for a healthier family, but they also received crucial baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, car seats, cribs, clothing and many other needed baby items. PDHC continues to walk alongside moms and their babies all the way through the first year of the baby’s life. “PDHC offered me parenting classes that I needed so much. I have seen a lot of changes in my parenting. You grow up seeing things and dealing with stuff a certain way and it may not always be the best. You don’t want to carry that on to your kids, so having that knowledge and being shown other ways to approach different situations, it’s better for you mentally and your child. Definitely the classes were the most helpful, especially CPR, parenting techniques, swaddling, and the ABCs of sleeping, and the maternity clothes and baby clothes and diapers they gave us too. I appreciate that and them offering that. Some people don’t have that opportunity for that help.” ~ PDHC Class Participant  83 individuals participated in PDHC’s Abortion Recovery Program through more than 700 sessions, finding hope and healing from a past abortion experience. This included confidential consultations, drop in connection meetings, Living in Color Bible Studies, Rachel Vineyard Retreats, a Celebration of Restoration Luncheon, and other personalized healing programs. PDHC’s Abortion Recovery 24/7 hotline has helped individuals begin their healing journey through more than 2,000 texts this year. “Lasting friendships are built here. We fellowship and share God’s grace with each other. The healing continues at Connection Night.” ~ aR Program Participant 2021 has been filled with God’s grace through every life saved and changed with each of PDHC’s four pillars of programs and services. This will have a lasting impact on families for generations. Thank you for answering God’s call and walking alongside us to make it possible. Together for LIFE!  It is with Grateful hearts that we thank you for your partnership and the ripple effect of each life you have helped save, thus creating a wave of impact on thousands of families for generations. This year alone, you have volunteered nearly 12,000 hours of your time. Through your financial support, you have provided over 1,100 life-saving ultrasounds, already saving 744 babies this year. You have empowered and strengthened more than 430 new moms and dads through over 4,000 parenting education classes and supported them through much needed baby items at our Family Empowerment Center. Thanks to you, we have been the first point of contact through over 40,000 calls, texts, and chats to our 24/7 hotline. Thousands of middle and high school students have received healthy choices education and hundreds of individuals struggling from a past abortion experience have received hope and healing through PDHC’s abortion recovery programs and services.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa You are making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved. God Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving season.  This month we have been celebrating Respect Life Month and reflect on Psalm 139:13-18. Preborn babies are amongst the most vulnerable and we want to help protect and care for them. Individuals and families facing an unexpected pregnancy are sometimes working through challenging circumstances and we want to provide hope over fear and walk alongside women and their babies to provide support and community. We want to help her say “Yes” to life, despite her fears. We want to help her trust in what God has planned for her and her baby.
Next month we will be gathering in Lancaster and Columbus to celebrate 40 years of rescuing lives and impacting families for generations together as a community. What a journey it has been.
PDHC's very first center opened in 1981 on the 8th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and had 309 visits and 2,800 hotline calls that year. In 1981, there were more than 40,000 surgical abortions in the state of Ohio with about 55 abortion clinics providing this service. Fast forward to 2020, PDHC's 4 resource centers had over 6,900 visits and more than 40,000 hotline calls, texts and chats. According to the latest statistics from the Ohio Department of Health, in 2019 there were about 20,000 abortions in the state of Ohio (Franklin county had the 2nd highest abortion rate in the state). In 2020, Ohio had 8 abortion clinics remaining. While surgical abortions are decreasing, chemical abortions via the abortion pill are increasing at a rapid rate and in 2019, represented about 70% of the abortions in Franklin County. In 2018, an abortion pill clinic opened its doors less than 3 miles from our busiest resource center. Beginning in late 2019, PDHC joined affiliate Heartbeat International's Abortion Pill Rescue Network, and began providing abortion pill reversal services to help women who regret starting a chemical abortion and want a second chance to save the life of their baby. Since then, several women have received this service through PDHC and four healthy babies have been born into the PDHC family, with more babies expected to be born this year. Most individuals I talk with in the community aren't aware of this increased trend from surgical to chemical abortions, and that abortion pill reversal is available, how it works, and that it is successful 64-68% of the time. Recently, Students for Life of America and Heartbeat International teamed up with author and producer, Charlotte Pence Bond, (daughter of former Vice President Mike Pence), to create an informational DocuSeries on Chemical Abortion. Hear from the experts by clicking on this link: brightenunion.com/chemical/video-series/ Please join us at our upcoming Galas to learn more as we unite and celebrate the gift of life together as a community. Blessings, Kathy Something you do everyday could help save a life.... Walk. When you join us and stand up for life, you support moms, dads, babies and families locally in the community. Every dollar raised this Saturday can help save a baby's life through a life-saving ultrasound, successful abortion pill reversal service, parenting education, and practical support to empower healthy families. Every step you take will take a stand for the sanctity of every human life and instill hope for future generations. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Romans 10:15  The battle to protect the preborn began in January of 1973, when the Supreme Court of the United States invalidated 50 state laws and made abortion legal on demand throughout the United States in the decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. In response to this decision, the first March for Life took place in Washington D.C. in January of 1974, led by founder Nellie Gray and became a national movement. She made the decision to hold a March for Life every year until Roe v. Wade was overturned, and led this initiative for nearly 40 years until her passing in 2012. The founding of PDHC was also influenced by this historic decision on the 8th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1981, and has continued to save and change lives for 40 years. We want to stand alongside you and make an impact for life here in Central Ohio. In 2019, 70% of abortions in Franklin County were via the abortion pill and we are saving lives and healthy babies are being born into the PDHC family after successful abortion pill reversal. We hope to see you there! Together for Life, Kathy I invite you to watch our new video below that takes us back 40 years to PDHC's humble beginnings and brings us to where we are today. From 309 center visits and 2,800 hotline calls in 1981, to 6,908 center visits and 40,000 calls, texts and chats to our hotline in 2020. Then and now, we have and continue to rescue lives and impact generations together as a community. Together for Life, Kathy Spring is the season of hope! Hope for new life and new beginnings all around us. Cloudy days transform into sunny blue skies, the air turns fresh and clean, the trees and flowers bloom with vibrant colors and fragrant blossoms. The smell of newly mowed grass is everywhere and the warmth of the sun on our face once again brightens our day.
Just like the Spring season, hope continues to grow at PDHC as we celebrate 286 life decisions already this year. As we walk alongside these new moms who chose life for their babies, we will continue to provide love and support throughout their pregnancies and beyond, and will joyfully celebrate the birth of their precious babies this year. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16 Hope is defined as, "a feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; to believe, desire, or trust." At the end of 2019, PDHC joined the Abortion Pill Rescue Network to become a local provider of Abortion Pill Reversal Services. This new service at PDHC gives hope to women who have taken the first abortion pill, regret their decision, and want a second chance to save the life of their baby. She has about 72 hours to reverse her abortion decision after taking the first pill and PDHC stands ready to help during this critical time. The need continues to grow as the latest numbers show that 43% of the abortions in the United States are via the Abortion Pill and that number continues to rise. According to the Ohio Department of Health's latest statistics (2019):
In 2018, a new clinic offering the Abortion Pill opened less than three miles from our busiest center on the North side. In our first year of providing abortion pill reversal services, PDHC was blessed to provide help and hope to 14 women through this service. We are happy to report that four babies have been born so far - two in 2020 and two this year. One of these grateful moms said, "He is the best thing that ever happened to me, he is literally perfect." Another mom named her son Nathan meaning "Gift from God" and said, "Your prayers changed my life." All four babies are healthy and doing well. We look forward to more babies due this year and many more lives saved through abortion pill reversal. As we celebrate PDHC's first 40 years and the thousands of lives that have been saved, we look forward with hope for the next 40 years of Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations. In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength in His faithfulness. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Together for Life, Kathy |
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