Pa. Abortions Decrease, Complications Increase in 2011

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HARRISBURG, Pa. – While abortions in Pennsylvania declined for the third year in a row in 2011, complications as a result of the procedure increased sharply, according to statistics released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Statistics show 498 (1.4 percent) fewer abortions in 2011 compared to 2010. In total, there were 36,280 abortions performed in Pennsylvania in 2011. The 2011 total represents a 44.8 percent decrease from the all-time high of 65,777 recorded in 1980.

However, the year brought a disturbing 78.7 percent increase in the number of complications from abortions. The 109 reported complications included bleeding, infections and “retained products of conception” including fetal parts, according to the department.

“As these statistics show, abortion not only destroys a preborn child’s life but also puts its mother’s health at risk,” said Micaiah Bilger, education coordinator at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

The year 2011 brought to light the gristly practices of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who is charged with the murders of a woman and seven newborn babies. In response to the tragedy, Pennsylvania implemented Act 122, which requires abortion facilities to be licensed as outpatient surgical facilities and to submit to unannounced inspections.

“Every life, from the moment of conception to natural death – and everywhere in between, deserves to be protected,” Bilger said.

To access the Pa. Department of Health report on abortion, click here.

Women in Poverty Need Support, not Abortion

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The pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher research group released some interesting new abortion graphics this week in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. (Look at them here.)

It’s funny – though not in a “ha ha” way – how the graphics really seem to point to the opposite of what the pro-abortion group intends.

Several graphics show links between poverty and abortion, supposedly to encourage support for more abortion access for women in poverty.

When I look at the graphics, I feel concern – as I’m sure Guttmacher wants me to – but not because of access to abortion.

No, these numbers tell me that greater access to abortion is NOT the answer to helping women.

Guttmacher reports that 69 percent of the women who have abortions are economically disadvantaged, and that some give up food or utilities or shelter to pay for an abortion.

These facts tug at my heart strings. If only these women knew that they don’t have to give up food or heat or shelter or their preborn child’s life!

Guttmacher is wrong to suggest that greater access to abortion will empower these financially-strained women.

Pregnant women in poverty need better knowledge of and access to financial resources, not abortion. Women should not be forced to choose between a meal and a baby’s life.

For more information about pregnancy resources in your area, click here.

‘Taking the Long Road Home’ to End Abortion in the U.S.

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On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court issued one of its most tragic rulings – Roe v. Wade. The decision struck down all state bans on abortion, basically allowing preborn babies to be killed at any time for any reason.

Dr. Alveda King, during her visit to Central Pa. this fall, told pro-lifers how hard she prayed that the Supreme Court would uphold the sanctity of human life and reverse Roe v. Wade.

When the justices instead upheld their devastating decision, King cried out to God and asked why.

Watch her explain the answer here.

God told her, “… the hearts of the people are too hard, so we are going to have to take the long road home.”

The road to ending abortion is full of obstacles, but we are persevering along the path to a brighter future for our preborn babies.

Taking the long road, we work one by one to change hearts and minds. And we are doing just that: Dr. Bernard Nathanson, Abby Johnson, Alveda King each had or participated in abortions before they became pro-life advocates.

Taking the long road home, we ensure that women have access to accurate information about abortion, adoption, and parenting.

Taking the long road home, we offer support to pregnant and new mothers in crisis.

Taking the long road home, we are achieving victories for the right to life as we carry the truth that every life — from conception to natural death — must be granted the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Find out how you can help defend the right to life by contacting us at lifelines@paprolife.org or 717-541-0034.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to Attend the March for Life

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When I was about 6 years old, my parents pulled out the stroller, bundled up my sister and me, and took us to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life.

I remember the Washington Monument outlined by the sunny cold blue sky of winter. When my dad lifted me onto his shoulders, I remember seeing the mass of people packed onto the lawn. The crowd amazed me.

But for many years, I didn’t go back. I was busy with school,  work, volunteering, family, wedding plans. And some years, I’m ashamed to admit, I forgot.

Two years ago, I made the commitment to start going again. My sisters, cousins, a friend, and I stuffed ourselves into the family van and drove down to the March on a bitterly cold day.

The crowd amazed me, just as it had when I was 6. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets and flowed through the winding road to the U.S. Supreme Court building. I thrilled in the realization that we all were standing there united for one single purpose – to protect and defend every single human life.

This year, it is more critical than ever to participate in prolife efforts such as the March for Life. First, this January marks the 40th year since the Supreme Court’s devastating opinion in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which opened the doors to abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy. And, second, our nation faces new threats to life because of the abortion provisions and medical rationing in President Obama’s health care law.

Maybe you have been thinking about going to the March for years but never made it. Maybe you have faithfully attended every year, but you know a friend who has never gone. Make 2013 the year you attend or invite that friend.

This year, it is more critical than ever that we join together on this day to stand united against this lawful taking of innocent lives.

The 2013 March for Life is scheduled for Friday, January 25 in downtown Washington, D.C. For information about bus trips to the March or community prolife events in January, contact us at lifelines@paprolife.org or 717-541-0034.

Central Pa. Employer Files Lawsuit against HHS Mandate

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Out of Central Pennsylvania this week came a new challenge to the provisions in President Obama’s HHS Mandate.

Conestoga Wood Specialties, a Mennonite-owned company based in Lancaster County, filed a federal suit against the mandate, which forces employers to cover abortion-causing contraception for their employees.

According to a Philadelphia Inquirer article:

“Conestoga Wood Specialties, citing the principles of religious freedom on which William Penn founded Pennsylvania, says in its suit, filed in U.S. District Court, that to accord to its Mennonite beliefs, it would be ‘sinful and immoral for the company to participate in, pay for, facilitate or otherwise support any contraception’ that would have the effect of an abortion.”

The Conestoga lawsuit is one of more than 40 challenges that have been filed against the federal law. In the past few months, several employers have won temporary victories against the mandate.

Let’s hope and pray that the courts will continue to reject this forced violation of conscience.

Teaching Young People the Truth about Abortion

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“How many abortions do you think have happened in the past 40 years? Just take a guess.”

I watched a pro-lifer pose this question to a young man recently. The well-educated 20-something hesitated and then shrugged.

“Just a rough estimate?” the pro-lifer prompted.

“OK,” he said. “Maybe about 100,000.”

The pro-lifer replied, “Actually, it’s more than 54 million.”

The young man looked shocked.

This simple experience made me wonder how many Americans don’t know the sheer number of abortions that occur every year. How many 20-somethings – the age group having the most abortions – have no concept of how prevalent these tragic deaths are in America.

We believe it is so important that we reach youth with the culture of life, and tell them the devastating effects of abortion.

The video here CE1Dz1ufbOo shows me, a 20-something, speaking to the people at our 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet about this critical effort. Please watch it and think about ways you can help us promote a culture of life in the younger generations.

Maybe by asking a question, as my fellow pro-lifer did above.

Maybe by encouraging a young person in your family to get involved in our essay and oratory contests.

Maybe by promoting alternatives to abortion, pregnancy resource centers, and crisis pregnancy hotlines at your church or community group.

Maybe by giving a donation to the Federation.

Maybe by praying.

You can help make a difference by partnering with us in this outreach to youth.

Remember the Babies and Moms on Giving Tuesday

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The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Education Fund is aligning itself with the Giving Tuesday phenomenon that is gaining momentum across Pennsylvania and across the country. It has received wide coverage in the print and broadcast media as well as on the Internet.

Giving Tuesday is a new tradition this year that is intended to kick off the holiday giving season. It began as a simple idea. Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days for getting good deals in stores. But Giving Tuesday is the day for giving back.

“Many worthy causes are part of Giving Tuesday, but we want to make sure that pro-life advocates in Pennsylvania know about this campaign and can take part in a way that reinforces their deeply held values about the sanctity of life,” said Michael Ciccocioppo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. “Our purpose is to keep life issues on people’s minds as much as we can, because there’s nothing more important than saving the lives of preborn children and protecting their moms from the horror of abortion.”

The holiday giving season that Giving Tuesday initiates is the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas to the end of the year. This is the time when many nonprofits raise the bulk of their funds in order to carry out their missions.

“It’s vital for donors to realize the importance of this season – not only for celebrating with family and friends but also for taking time to do something good that really makes a difference,” Ciccocioppo said. “Pro-lifers across Pennsylvania feel the urgency of this cause, and they step up to make their voices heard. We’re grateful for their dedication and support.”

To make a gift now to the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s life-saving work, click here.

Western Pa. Abortion Center Temporarily Stops Abortions

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Fewer abortions are happening in Pennsylvania today.

An abortion center run by Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania has stopped offering surgical abortions while it renovates its facility to comply with a new law. Sadly, the facility plans to begin doing abortions again when the renovations are finished. Read the news story here.

For this short time of renovations, we hope and pray that the women who were thinking about getting an abortion there this month will consider other options – keeping her baby or giving the baby up for adoption.

Pregnant women in Pennsylvania have access to support thanks to programs like Real Alternatives and other pregnancy resource centers. These community centers offer resources to women while they are pregnant and after they give birth. Learn more about pregnancy centers and resources available in your area here.

November also is National Adoption Month. Learn more about adoption in Pennsylvania here.

Alveda King Delivers Message of Hope for Future

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Dr. Alveda King’s life is full of reminders about the significance of every single human life.

Alveda King speaks to the crowd at the 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet in Camp Hill.

Her strong pro-life family, her birthday, even her own name seemed to point Alveda toward advocacy for the preborn. However, her young adult life started down a very different path.

A strong pro-life advocate and the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Alveda King shared her life story Tuesday during the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet in Camp Hill.

Before Alveda even was born, her life came very close to being wiped out by abortion. When her mother became pregnant out of wedlock, some people suggested she could “get help for her mysterious female ailment.” When her mother began to question this “mysterious” abortion procedure, she turned to Alveda’s grandfather, Martin Luther “Daddy” King Sr.

“He said, ‘That’s not just cells,’” King said. “That’s my granddaughter. I saw her in a dream three years ago with bright red hair. She’s going to be a blessing.’”

Alveda was born on January 22 – a date that perhaps seemed insignificant at the time. Today, we remember it as the day when the U.S. Supreme Court made its tragic decision about abortion in Roe v. Wade.

Even the name her parents chose for her seemed to foretell her future as an advocate for life. The root of Alveda’s name is “vita,” which is Latin for “life.”

When she grew up, though, Alveda King strayed from the truth. Instead, she trusted the lies of abortion centers like Planned Parenthood, and had two abortions.

Then, Daddy King intervened. Pregnant for a third time, Alveda was again considering an abortion, but her grandfather presented her with the truth: That is not a lump of flesh; it is a child.

Since then, Alveda has joined her family of freedom fighters in its charge to protect and defend every human life, from conception to natural death.

She challenged the crowd of 500 people from all across Pennsylvania to not lose courage in the fight for life. Just as God turned her life around, so God can change our nation, she said.

Despite setbacks like Roe v. Wade and pro-abortion political agendas, God works all things together for good, King said. She shared Mark 9:23, “… with God, all things are possible” and encouraged everyone to repeat the verse with her.

“We stand, and as we continue to stand, God will continue to bless,” King said. “With God, all things are possible.”

Election Brings Pro-Life Victories Across Pennsylvania

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The untold story of the November 6 election is how well pro-life candidates performed throughout Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s pro-life Congressional candidates swept to victory.   All the incumbent Congressmen endorsed by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Political Action Committee won their races.  In addition, pro-life Keith Rothfus scored an upset win against incumbent Mark Critz (D-12), who had a mixed voting record on pro-life issues.

Likewise, a pro-life majority remains in the state legislature.  It should be noted that the pro-life caucuses in the House and the Senate include both Republicans and Democrats.  Pennsylvania has a long-standing tradition of electing pro-life Democrats to office, despite the fact that the national party platform is pro-abortion.

“We are honored by the fact that so many of Pennsylvania’s legislators are committed to helping pregnant women and their children.  Pennsylvanians can be proud of the fact that they have such dedicated public servants who believe in empowering women and protecting life,” said Maria Gallagher, Legislative/PAC Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

“We are particularly fortunate to have so many gifted pro-life women who have been elected to the state legislature.  Their leadership is inspiring to the many women who believe that human life should be protected—from the dawn to the twilight of life,” Gallagher added.