Tag Archives: prolife

Pa. Alternatives to Abortion Program Offers Women Another Choice

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When a woman faces an unplanned pregnancy, she may believe that abortion is her only option.

Real Alternatives is there to assures her it isn’t.

Real Alternatives is Pennsylvania’s innovative alternatives to abortion program, which offers caring, confidential support to pregnant mothers and their families. Women Have a Right to Know!

Founder and CEO Kevin Bagatta spoke with the 700 Club in an interview that aired Tuesday. He said, “There were surveys done of women who’d had an abortion. And they said if one person had helped them during the crisis pregnancy, they wouldn’t have had the abortion.”

Real Alternatives centers across the Commonwealth offer that help to women in crisis. It helped Jamie, an unemployed mother who discovered she was pregnant with her fourth child right after her husband left her.

Hundreds of thousands of women like her have received support for themselves and their families at Real Alternatives centers. The state-wide program offers emotional support through counseling and physical support through various means — from temporary shelter to diapers.

To learn more, visit Real Alternatives or watch the 700 Club interview.

Some Vaccines Are Developed Using Aborted Fetal Cells

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We receive many requests for information in our office. One of the more frequent questions involves vaccines containing aborted fetal cells. So, I thought it would be good to share the information about these vaccines on our blog.Picture2

A simplified explanation: Some vaccines were developed using cells taken from aborted human babies. The vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells, but many believe there is “residual” biological matter from the babies that has been assimilated into the vaccine, according to the Right to Life of Michigan.

Some of the common vaccines that use aborted fetal cells include chickenpox, hepatitis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, and shingles. There are some alternative vaccines that do not use aborted fetal cells, including ones for tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, and rabies.

Find the vaccine lists and brand names here.

It is tragic how our culture devalues preborn human beings, subjecting them to scientific experimentation and death.

A Victory for Pennsylvania Taxpayers!

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House Approves Abortion Opt-out Bill in Federal Health
Insurance Exchange

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 818 on Tuesday, supporting the Commonwealth’s longstanding policy of not using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions.

Unborn child2“The legislation is in line with the restriction on public funding of abortion present in Pennsylvania’s landmark Abortion Control Act. It’s a long-standing policy that works,” said Maria Gallagher, legislative director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. “We applaud House members – Republicans and Democrats, women and men – who have followed the will of the people in passing this critical bill.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-Armstrong, would allow Pennsylvania to opt-out of abortion coverage in the state health insurance exchange, which will be created by the Affordable Care Act using public dollars. The bill includes exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s life.

“Unless this legislation becomes law, starting next year, Pennsylvania will be in the abortion business – dramatically and radically reversing the Keystone State’s long-standing policy against public funding of abortion,” Gallagher said.

A Quinnipiac University poll showed that more than 70 percent of Americans, including the same majority of women, oppose public funding of abortion in the federal health care plan.

So far, 21 states have passed similar legislation to opt-out of abortion funding. A provision written into the Affordable Care Act allows states to opt-out of abortion funding in health care reform.

House Bill 818 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Now, it’s important that we let our state Senators know that we want them to support HB 818 too.  To find out who your state Senator is, or to find out contact information for your state Senator, please click here.

Please call your state Senator to let the Senator know you want a “yes” vote on HB 818 when it is voted on in the Senate.

 Please share this message with your pro-life friends and family members.

Legislature Urged to Take Swift Action to Stop Tax Funding of Abortion in Pennsylvania!

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House Bill 818 simply safeguards Pennsylvania’s long-standing policy against tax funding of abortion—a policy which works, and which is supported by the vast majority of taxpayers.

Baby feetA Quinnipiac poll shows that more than 70 percent of Americans oppose public funding of abortion under the federal health care law. More specifically, in the same poll, 70 percent of American women opposed such abortion funding.

The bill is about only one thing: ensuring that Pennsylvania continues its long-standing policy against taxpayer funding of abortion. Twenty-one other states have passed similar legislation and signed it into law, and other states are expected to follow suit.

If HB 818 is not passed by the PA House and Senate and signed by the Governor, starting next year, Pennsylvania taxpayers will be paying for abortions under the health insurance exchange created by the federal health care law—radically reversing Pennsylvania’s decades-old policy against tax-funded abortions.

Call your state rep NOW and urge a yes vote on HB 818! To find out contact info for your state lawmaker, call us at 717-541-0034.

Prosecutors Wrap Up Case against Kermit Gosnell

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Philadelphia prosecutors wrapped up their case against abortionist Kermit Gosnell on Thursday.

The Philadelphia abortionist is charged with the murders of seven newborn infants and a female patient.

Gosnell’s attorney now has his turn to present a defense of his client’s actions. He is arguing that Gosnell is not a murderer Gosnellbecause he killed the babies while they were still in the womb. Gosnell continually maintains that he is not guilty.

However, members of Gosnell’s staff testified that they saw dozens of babies born alive. The babies moved and breathed. Some even cried.

According to an Associated Press article:

“Prosecutors chose Kareema Cross as their final witness before resting their case against Kermit Gosnell. Ms. Cross said she saw more than 10 babies breathe, with their chests moving up and down.

“’I thought they were breathing,’ testified Ms. Cross, 28. ‘He would say they’re not really breathing.’

“Ms. Cross also described seeing three babies move. Dr. Gosnell explained the movements as a last reflex amid the death process, she said.”

The Washington Examiner outlines 58 horrific details of the case here (warning: some graphic content).

White House refuses to respond to Gosnell horrors in Philly

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Until last week, most national media outlets were not covering the on-going murder trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia.

Then awareness campaigns on Twitter, press conferences, and a coluultrasoundmn published in USA Today finally attracted national coverage of the abortionist’s grotesque practices.

It even reached the ears of President Obama. Unsurprisingly, his administration ignored questions about taking action to protect women and babies from abortionists like Gosnell.

According to The Hill:

“White House spokesman Jay Carney on Monday called the trial of a Pennsylvania abortion doctor accused of performing partial-birth abortions and killing one woman ‘unsettling,’ but ducked follow-up questions over the administration’s views on the matter.

“Pressed on whether the president believed that the Gosnell case should lead to legislative changes on abortion policy, Carney repeatedly sidestepped questions, saying only that ‘the president’s position on choice is clear’ and echoing former President Clinton’s statement that abortions should be ‘safe, legal, and rare.’

“Carney was asked if the trial should provoke Congress to consider legislation such as the Born Alive Act. Obama opposed a state version of the bill as an Illinois state senator.

“’You’re asking for hypotheticals about legislation or proposed legislation that I haven’t seen,’ Carney responded.”

The facts, Mr. Carney, are that abortions aren’t “rare” – 1.2 million babies are killed in abortions every year in the U.S. They aren’t “safe” – just look at Gosnell’s practices and the new unfolding story of similar things happening at a Planned Parenthood in Delaware.

Babies are being killed inside and outside of the womb. Women are being injured and killed from abortions. The Gosnell horrors should serve as a wake-up call to our nation that we need to restore legal protections for women and babies, born and preborn.

Pa. Girl with Down Syndrome Inspires Families to Choose Life

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I stuck a new photo on my wall today at work, near the family photos, pregnancy hotlines and images of babies in the womb. This picture is of a pretty young girl sitting beside a beaming grandfatherly man.

Just looking at the photo makes me beam inside, too. I have never met the little girl, but she inspires me.

Chloe Kondrich is featured on the cover of the book "Brilliant Souls."

Chloe Kondrich is featured on the cover of the book “Brilliant Souls.”

This girl is Chloe Kondrich, and she has Down syndrome.Today, I talked with Chole’s father on our half-hour radio program/podcast, LifeLines. Kurt Kondrich was a police officer in Pittsburgh before his daughter was born.When he discovered how many children like his daughter are killed in the womb (up to 90 percent of all prenatally diagnosed Down syndrome babies), Kurt changed career paths. He went back to school, and became a Pennsylvania advocate for early intervention and the right to life.

During our show, Kurt tells some amazing stories about how Chloe’s life has made an impact on other people. In the past year, the Kondrich Family has connected with three different couples whose babies were prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. All three were considering abortion.

Then they met Chloe. Her exceptional life touched something deep inside them. Through Chloe’s witness, they realized the value of the baby they were carrying. Because of Chloe, all three couples chose life for their babies.

Please take the time to listen to our podcast online and hear about how the Kondrich Family is inspiring and educating people all across Pennsylvania. And visit the Kondrich Family’s websites, Chloe’s Message and SADSIN.

How Can Churches Promote the Sanctity of Life?

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It’s a question that I’ve heard fairly often from pro-lifers.

They are concerned that their church is not doing more to protect life from the moment of conception, and they want to know how to change that.Choose Life!

Some of the best answers that I have heard come from the Rev. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. He hosted a seminar last summer about how churches in pro-life denominations can be more fruitful.

Let me share with you his three-step advice for churches:

First step – Your denomination may be pro-life, but that doesn’t mean everyone in your congregation is. People tend to have very strong feelings about abortion, and those who think abortion should be legal can be put off by the pro-life message. They may see pro-lifers as extremists who don’t care about women. Our job is to neutralize the hostile opinions by starting friendly conversations about the issue, finding common ground (such as our desire to help women and their families), and helping them to see that there really is some truth to the pro-life argument.

Second step – There may be other people in your church who say that while they would never have an abortion themselves, they don’t believe it’s right to stop someone else from making that decision. Our job is to explain why abortion is wrong not just for us personally but for everyone: because abortion destroys a life.

Third step – The most important step toward protecting the sanctity of life in church is to help stop abortions among believers. Our job is to offer compassion, support, and resources to women facing a crisis pregnancy, as well as to women who have had abortions. From there, we can actively continue to teach about the issue, maybe by doing a Bible study on the topic or examining the denomination’s pro-life statement. We also can encourage prayer for women considering abortion, their babies, the fathers, pregnancy counselors, lawmakers, and ministers.

Finally, the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has developed some practical suggestions for churches that want to become more actively involved. Click here for the list.

A side note: The protection of every human’s right to life is a compassionate cause that attracts many religious people. However, it is not simply a religious viewpoint. The right to life from the moment of conception is a truth supported by both science and logic. Read more here.

Reflecting on the Tragedy of Abortion, Hope for Life during Black History Month

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As we celebrate Black History Month this February, I think back to all of the things I learned this year as I began working in the pro-life movement.

So much has disturbed and surprised me about abortion in our country, mother_and_childbut there is little that I find more disturbing than abortion in African American communities.

Take a look with me:

The statistics – The number of abortions that black women have in Pennsylvania is troubling. While about 11 percent of our population is African American, 41 percent of abortions in the Commonwealth are to African Americans.

The targets – A new study shows that abortion centers target minorities. Life Issues Institute analyzed the 2010 Census data, and found “… that Planned Parenthood continues to strategically place the majority of their surgical abortion facilities in locations that target Black Americans for abortion. This analysis shows that 62% of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are within walking distance (2 miles) of relatively high African American populations.”

The stories – This summer, the news of a tragic abortion death unfolded. A young black mother named Tonya Reaves walked in to a Planned Parenthood to have an abortion. Hours later, both she and her baby were dead. Later investigations revealed that her uterus has been perforated during the abortion; and staff waited several hours before taking her to the hospital. By then, it was too late. Planned Parenthood now faces two lawsuits because of Tonya’s death.

And just recently, two black women shared their abortion experiences in a new film about the Philadelphia abortion mill run by Kermit Gosnell. The first woman changed her mind on the abortion table, but the staff forced her to go through with the abortion. The second woman was lied to about abortion and the health risks. Gosnell left both women damaged mentally and physically. Neither one can have any more children.

The life advocates – These numbers and stories break my heart. So many babies are dying at the hands of the abortionist. So many women are being lied to. Yet, I also found hope in the black community, whose strong pro-life advocates refuse to stop fighting against this injustice.

Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dedicates her life to ending abortion. She visited Central Pa. last fall and joined area black religious leaders in praying for an end to abortion. King had two abortions as a young woman, and now she shares a message of hope and healing with other women who have been damaged by abortions. Read more about her here.

Arlene Campbell bravely speaks about having an abortion in college. The Philadelphia woman almost died after complications resulting from her abortion. She now tells her story with the hope that other women will choose life for their preborn babies. Listen to her story here.

Dr. Mildred Fay Jefferson left an amazing legacy, breaking racial and gender barriers as African American leader. She was the first African American women to graduate from Harvard Medical School. In the 1975, she became the president of the National Right to Life Committee. Her eloquence and passion for the preborn even influenced Ronald Reagan. Watch her story here.

I find new hope in these leaders, hope that one day our society will respect the rights of every human life.

The Pro-life Fight for Women

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By Maria Gallagher

The line “War on Women” did not die on Election Night 2012. The pro-abortion lobby carefully coined this phrase in an attempt to neutralize advances made by those who believe that law and public policy should protect an innocent person’s right to life. It’s catchy, alliterative, and denotes violence and death, and so it works well in a soundbite world.

Every time the catch-phrase is uttered—on cable news, radio talk shows, and in the Twitterverse, it should be countered—in an equally soundbite-savvy way. For what the pro-life movement has been engaging in for the past 40 years is a Fight for Women. And many women are leading the charge:

• Abby Johnson. This courageous mom once worked for Planned Parenthood, but, Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnsonwhen viewing an ultrasound-guided abortion—and seeing the goodness and kindness of the 40 Days for Life members standing vigil outside the abortion center door—walked bravely to “the other side.” She now assists those who work within the abortion industry to find a safe way out. You can learn more about her And Then There Were None ministry at http://www.attwn.org/ . (And be sure to read her fascinating account of her transition from abortion proponent to pro-life advocate in her ground-breaking book, “Unplanned.” Abby is a passionate leader in the Fight for Women.

• Lila Rose. This remarkable twenty-something is lila3tthe founder of Live Action, which uses the tried-and-true tools of investigative journalism to expose the illegal activity and corruption present in the abortion industry. Lila has been especially effective at lifting the veil behind the cover-up of the sexual abuse of minor girls. You can learn more about her at http://www.liveaction.org/lilarose/ . Lila is a fearless truth-seeker in the Fight for Women.

• Gianna Jessen and Melissa Ohden. These two articulate young women have put a face on “choice.” Both are survivors of attempts to take their lives through abortion. They have raised their voices for those unborn girls who have none, and their testimony is powerful. Discover their stories at http://www.giannajessen.com/main/octoberbaby.html and http://www.melissaohden.com/ . Gianna and Melissa represent the heart and soul of the Fight for Women.

• Kristan Hawkins. She is the Executive Director of Students Kristan_Hawkinsfor Life. She has invigorated pro-life activism on college campuses around the nation, and has helped to show the world that youth have a particular stake in the Fight for Women. The Students for Life success story can be found at www.studentsforlife.org . Kristan is among the leading strategists in the Fight for Women.

This is far from a complete list—but it does spotlight the role that young, vibrant leaders are playing in the Fight for Women. Whenever you hear abortion advocates talking about the War on Women, point to the awe-inspiring Millennials and Gen-Xers at the forefront of the pro-life movement and respond, “No, you must mean the Fight for Women—and we are winning!”