Author Archives: Katrina Gallic

“Those who serve our nation’s sick in the health care industry, or who are training to do so, should not be forced to violate their conscience in the process. The new Health and Human Services rule will ensure that the rights of medical professionals, guaranteed by the United States Constitution as well as Federal law, will be respected. No one should be forced to participate in life-ending procedures like abortion or similar activities that go against their religious beliefs or moral convictions.”

Jeanne Mancini

March for Life, President

The post New Conscience Regulations Protect Healthcare Workers appeared first on March For Life.

9 months from today, January 24, 2020, is the 2020 March for Life in Washington D.C.

Between today and January 24th, over 2,000,000 children will be born in the United States.

And in that time over 675,000 pre-born children will lose their lives to abortion.

So much happens in the span of 9 months; it’s easy to forget how many little lives will be taken before they take their first breath during that time. To paraphrase 2019 March for Life speaker, Ben Shapiro, the babies killed by abortion will never be forgotten as long as we keep them in our minds and hearts.

Keep the unborn in your thoughts and prayer by taking the 9 Month Challenge.  

Here’s how it works.

How to get started:

1. Download the What to Expect Pregnancy app.
2. Set your “due date” for January 24, 2020 – the date of the next National March for Life.
3. Give your baby a name.
4. Follow baby’s growth for the next 9 month by reading and watching the app’s educational information.
5. If you learn something new from the app, post what you learned on social media and use #9monthchallenge2020.

The final steps (9-month mark):

1. On your “due date”, the date of the March for Life, January 24, 2020, write a message to the babies who, because of abortion, never made it to their birthday using #9monthchallenge2020.
2. Make a donation to your local pregnancy resource center. These centers (there are thousands across the U.S.) help women choose life every day by providing resources and support during pregnancy and after the baby is born. You can find a clinic near you at optionline.org.

Taking the 9 Month Challenge is one simple but powerful way to keep the unborn at the forefront of your mind as we prepare to march for life in our nation’s capital in 2020.

The post 9 Month Challenge – March for Life 2020 appeared first on March For Life.

(WARNING: this blog post and video include a medical description of partial-birth abortion.)

On April 18, 2007, the Supreme Court officially upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act in Gonzales v Carhart. With this decision, the ban went into effect and partial-birth abortion was ban across the entire country.

The campaign to end partial-birth abortion began in 1992. That year Dr. Martin Haskell presented a paper to the National Abortion Federation on a form of late-term abortion called intact dilation and extraction or D&X. D&X is a gruesome form of abortion that involves removing the baby from the uterus feet first until only his/her head remains inside of the mother. Then his/her skull is punctured and using a catheter, his/her brain is sucked out, then the rest of the baby is removed.

The National Right to Life Committee obtained Dr. Haskell’s paper and began to publicize it in 1993. Shock and disgust over the procedure galvanized Americans to put a stop to the barbaric practice. From this moment until 2007, pro-life activists fought tirelessly to make the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act into law.

Two years later in 1995, Representative Charles Canady (R-FL) introduces a bill in the House of Representatives called the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act to prohibit D&X, partial birth abortion, from being committed. After a long and difficult battle, the Act was signed into law by President Bush in 2003 and finally went into effect after the Supreme Court upheld the law in 2007.

Twelve years later, on April 18, 2019, we spoke with the National Right to Life Committee Director of State Legislation, Ingrid Duran.

The post Anniversary: Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act Upheld by the Supreme Court appeared first on March For Life.

On April 3rd, thousands of pro-life Virginians marched against abortion extremism in their state. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

A few months before, a video of Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran defended a bill that would allow for a pre-born baby to be killed during birth went viral. All eyes were on Virginia when Governor Ralph Northam in a live radio interview on Tran’s bill made comments strongly suggesting support for leaving a child to die after an abortion – in other words, infanticide.

Thank you, Governor Northam, for waking people up to the extremism of the pro-abortion lobby. – Virginia resident, Kendra #vamarchforlife pic.twitter.com/Vfnwus4mxG

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) April 3, 2019

Pro-life Americans across the entire country were outraged by Tran’s and Northam’s extremism. A huge majority of Americans reject birthday abortions. A recent Gallup Poll found that 98% of Americans do not support abortion in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. But we know that even one abortion is one too many.

In a column by Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President, she wrote:

Sadly, it’s no surprise that Tran and Northam are partnering with Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby to advance an extreme pro-abortion agenda. Planned Parenthood committed $3 million to elect Northam and also gave funds to Tran’s political campaign, along with pro-abortion Emily’s List and NARAL. But that extreme agenda doesn’t reflect the views of most Virginians and our elected representatives shouldn’t be beholden to special interest groups, especially ones that fail to respect the inherent human dignity of every human person.

Pro-life Virginians knew something needed to be done.

April 3rd is Veto Day in Virginia, meaning every state politician must be present at the Richmond Capitol. While the capitol grounds are usually quiet on Veto Day, this year 6,500 – 7,000 Virginians rallied together to protest abortion extremism on the steps of the Richmond capitol building.

Virginia stands for life! #vamarchforlife pic.twitter.com/xs0W7L5KYa

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) April 3, 2019

Marchers heard from National pro-life speakers, like abortion survivor Melissa Ohden and Radiance Foundation founder Ryan Bomberger, from the Virginia pro-life organization Virginia Catholic Conference, the Family Foundation, and the Virginia Society for Human Life, and from State Senator Bill Stanley and Delegate Brenda Pogge.

During the Rally, pro-life State Delegates, led by Kirk Cox, the Speaker of the House, and pro-life State Senators surprised the marchers by visiting the Rally to give their heartfelt support for life.

When the Rally concluded, Virginian students carried the March for Life banner down the streets surrounding the capitol building followed by their fellow pro-life marchers. Chants were cheered and songs were sung all proclaiming the pro-life message that every human life must be protected from the first moment of fertilization. After marchers returned to the capitol grounds, many were equipped to advocate for pro-life policy with their state legislatures at a training season with local leaders call ‘Richmond 101’.

As pro-life Virginians head into the rest of 2019, it’s a sure bet that they will be more actively engaged than ever in the pro-life mission to end abortion and build a culture of life in their state and community.

The post 6,500 – 7,000 Virginians March To Reject Abortion Extremism appeared first on March For Life.

Picture this:

A pregnant 19-year-old is lying on a cold operating table when a very pregnant nurse walks into the room to commit the abortion.

A Planned Parenthood employee of eight years with a track record of directing one of the most efficient abortion clinics in the country wins employee of the year.

From the pro-life perspective, these scenarios seem like lost causes – what are the odds that either woman escapes the abortion industry?

But just when hope seemed spent, the quietest voices spoke the loudest.

One Saturday, Planned Parenthood’s rising star, Abby Johnson, watched a 13-week old baby fight and struggle for his life in the womb during an abortion procedure, and she was shaken to her core. She quit her job and the abortion industry a few weeks later, never to return.

After Abby left the abortion industry, she became passionately active in the pro-life movement, founding a ministry called And Then There Were None. ATWN seeks to love abortion clinic workers out of the industry and into a place of healing. They have already helped over 500 workers leave the grips of the abortion industry.

Abby’s story has continued to inspire the world. So much so that when the film producer, Chuck Konzelman, read Abby’s autobiography he knew that it needed to come alive on screen.

When looking for an actress to carry the responsibility of playing Abby in the upcoming movie, “Unplanned”, the directors chose Ashley Bratcher. After a quick phone call, Ashely accepted and headed down to Oklahoma for filming 5 hours later.

Ashley was already a few days into shooting when her mother called. Ashley hesitated to share the news of her latest role because she knew her mom had an abortion when she was young.  Ashley proceeded to carefully tell her mom about the role, explaining that the movie is not about condemnation but about mercy, when her mom bursts into sobs.

“I need to tell you something I never told you before,” her mom cried into the phone. “When I was 19, I went to have an abortion with you…I was in the clinic, on the table, and the nurse was very pregnant…I got really sick to my stomach and I knew I couldn’t do it. And I got up, and I walked out, and I chose you.”

Ashley was completely stunned. She had no idea how close she came to being an abortion victim.

When there was no hope left, Ashley, the littlest, most vulnerable person in the room, spoke loud enough for her mother to hear. At the last moment, her mother’s heart was moved with love for her unborn daughter, and she chose life. Similarly, when witnessing an abortion, Abby’s heart heard the unborn baby’s silent scream, and she was overcome with compassion for him. Both of these unborn baby’s tiny voices were the loudest in the room.

The 13-week old unborn baby who opened Abby’s eyes to the truth of abortion isn’t on screen for more than a few moments. But in those moments you too will hear his voice; you will hear in your heart in the same question Abby heard: “Am I not a human being?”

Unplanned hits theaters everywhere this Friday, March 29^th. Tickets are available at unplannedfilm.com.

The March for Life team is grateful to have seen a pre-showing of the film, and we can attest that it has the power to change hearts and minds. We hope you will bring many friends and family with you to see this inspiring film!

The post Unplanned: What She Saw Changed Everything appeared first on March For Life.

“March for Life is grateful to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his announcement today that the Department will more fully implement the Protecting Life in Global Health Policy. Taxpayer dollars should not fund abortion here or abroad, and respecting the inherent dignity of the unborn person goes hand in glove with our country’s foreign assistance and humanitarian work. The Secretary’s courageous leadership on the implementation of this policy will assure its proper oversight and help advance the protection and empowerment of human persons at all stages in our international global health assistance initiatives.” Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life

The post March for Life Grateful for the Protecting Life in Global Health Policy appeared first on March For Life.

“Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. The majority of people with the syndrome die during the fetal stage; infants who survive experience serious defects and live for extremely short periods of time. This is associated with a broad spectrum of abnormalities which consist of greater than 130 discrete defects involving the brain, heart, craniofacial structures, kidneys, and stomach. Edwards Syndrome has no treatment and is usually fatal before birth or within the first year of life.”

I read these words as I waited in the maternal-fetal office. At just 23 years old, and 20 weeks pregnant, I had been referred to get a more in-depth ultrasound when my sonographer couldn’t see all of my daughter’s heart and noticed choroid plexus cysts on the brain. As I sat there, I googled “choroid plexus cysts.” Google always knows, right? These often were not indicators of anything, but at times were a soft marker for Trisomy 18. For some reason, this resonated with my heart. A genetic condition that I knew absolutely nothing about 10 minutes prior. The next several hours felt like a nightmare. I went back into the imaging room as the new sonographer scanned over my belly. She did this for two hours. She didn’t say a word. Finally, the doctor came in and asked if we had any idea what was going on. I said no.

He proceeded to say, “Basically, everything is wrong with this child. There are cysts on the brain, the fetus is missing half of its heart. There is a hypoplastic left ventricle. Clenched fists. The fetus is about 4 weeks behind on growth already and has severe intrauterine growth restriction. I see a cleft palate.” He paused for what felt like an eternity and then said, “Oh, and there are two clubbed feet. And it’s a girl.”

The doctor said I needed an amniocentesis to confirm, and that if it was indeed Trisomy 18, as he believed, I couldn’t continue my pregnancy. “She is incompatible with life. She won’t survive. I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”

We went forward with the amino, after a false preliminary result came back claiming Evelyn had Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), we received a phone call a week later saying the lab director had made a mistake. Evelyn had Trisomy 18, not Trisomy 21. The doctor proceeded to say, “I spoke with your OBGYN already, and he told me that you will be terminating. He has that scheduled for you.” I couldn’t believe what I heard. Not only had I made it clear that was not an option, the doctor’s name spoken was one I had never heard before. I had no idea he was even a part of this practice. I instantly told the doctor I wouldn’t be doing that. Again, he said, “I don’t think you understand this. She is incompatible with life. This is fatal. She will not survive.”

I was immediately dropped from the practice after calling through screams and sobs to ask where in the world that information came from and that I would continue my pregnancy. I went 5 weeks without a provider. Tragically, it was a thousand times easier to schedule an abortion for my child than it was to find proper care for myself and my pregnancy.

Finally, I found a practice. And my Evelyn Grace continued to live. I knew inside my womb was the safest place for Evelyn to be. I lived my pregnancy knowing simply that I was not the one that created my daughter’s heartbeat and I didn’t have the authority to decide when it ended. Although Evelyn existed inside of my womb during this time, her story and her life were uniquely her own. I was simply given the beautiful gift of stewarding that. And so Evelyn stayed put. And she grew. She made it to 39 weeks when I was induced, giving my team the order that Evelyn would receive full intervention after birth, just like any other critical newborn would.

Evelyn spent several weeks in Intensive Care before we went home. I spent this time and the time during my pregnancy learning and equipping myself to be the best mom and advocate for Evelyn.  I learned that a Trisomy condition, having three copies of any specific chromosome, is not a death sentence. Yes, there can be many health concerns that may come as a result of the third chromosome, but when these concerns are treated, these children will thrive.

I saw the strength and resilience of mothers ahead of me and their children in the Trisomy 21, 18, and 13 community. Through life in and out of the hospital, adapting to the medical equipment, and learning all about Evelyn’s care, my family and I have experienced more joy and love than we knew possible. I wish I could go back to myself that day in the office and say, “You have no idea what joy is ahead. Yes, this will be hard. And there will be valleys of despair and moments where this all seems too much. But you will see strength and love in yourself and in Evelyn that you didn’t know existed. The view you are about to have will take your breath away. Just keep going.”

The only tragedy here would be never meeting Evelyn. All of our days are limited. Not just a child with a chronic illness. None of us are promised tomorrow. I remind myself daily that on my best day or worst day caring for Evelyn, I never have the power to add or subtract a day from her life.

Only the author of life does. That frees me up to just be Evelyn’s mom. I don’t worry about her days ahead. I pray for wisdom for myself and her medical providers and leave the rest to God. I look forward to each day ahead with joy. Evelyn has truly changed our hearts from the inside out. Evelyn is now 2 ½ years old. She is a big sister to Esme, and a blessing to all she comes across. She daily changes the mind and hearts of those in the medical field we come across, and she is paving the way for others just like her. I will always choose life. I will always stand in the gap for those who are marginalized. Each life, no matter how long or short is precious and sacred. Every life has a purpose.

— Hannah Sudlow is first and foremost a Christ Follower, wife to Craig, and mom to Evelyn and Esme. She is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Evelyn’s Treehouse, inspired by her daughter, Evelyn. Their mission is to come alongside new families in the hospital who have received a life-changing medical diagnosis for their child by offering support and resources. Their goal is to help empower and equip parents to confidently live out their new role of caring for their medically complex child. Hannah is an advocate for the special needs community and those who are marginalized in their health care. Ultimately, Hannah shares Evelyn’s story to encourage others to see the value and sanctity in each and every life and help normalize special needs.

The post Told Her Child Is “Incompatible With Life” – Mother Chooses Hope Anyway appeared first on March For Life.

January 22nd: Roe turns 46 years old and New York jubilantly celebrates the passage of a new radical late-term abortion bill aimed at “codifying Roe”.

January 29th: A video goes viral of Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran defending a bill that would allow abortion even after a woman goes into labor.

January 30th: Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia suggests support for infanticide of a baby who survives an abortion on live radio. (He has yet to retract his comments.)

February 25th: 44 Senate Democrats vote against providing medical care for newborn babies who survive abortions – in other words, infanticide. (Thankfully, 50 Republicans and 3 Democrats voted in favor of the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, but the legislation needed 60 votes to advance in the Senate.)

There is only one way to describe these events: abortion extremism.

Most Americans picked their jaw off the floor in disbelief when each of these events made headlines. However, the truth of the matter is that abortion extremism exists across the country.  For example, only 7 countries in the world allow abortion past 5 months gestation, including North Korea, China, and the United States, and 8 states (plus D.C.) allow abortion until birth.

I get it; this may seem disheartening. But let me share the good news and practical action steps you can take to make a difference in 2019.

America is waking up

The good news is that a large majority of Americans do not support the radical bills proposed in Virginia and New York. What many people didn’t realize is that these bills are championed by pro-abortion lobby groups, most notably NARAL and Planned Parenthood.

Recent displays of radicalism woke Americans up to what the pro-choice lobby is all about. For the first time in 10 years, Marist polling showed a tie between pro-choice and pro-life self-identifying Americans in February.

Amazing!

Democrats last month: 20% identify as pro-life vs. 75% as pro-choice.

Democrats this month: 34% identify as pro-life vs. 61% as pro-choice. @KofC @axios https://t.co/b95F1KRCos

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) February 25, 2019

Time will tell if the shift remains, but the lesson to be learned here is this: when pro-choice Americans wake up to the radicalism of pro-choice politicians, they are willing to rethink their position. This should give the pro-life movement encouragement.

>>>> Recent Gallup Survey on Abortion Offers Hope to Pro-Lifers

Now that the news cycle has moved on, what can you do to keep the momentum going?

Get educated

First, educate yourself and others. There are tons of great pro-life educational resources at your fingertips.

To list just a few sources:

• Charlotte Lozier Institute
• Live Action
• Americans United For Life
• March for Life (check out our recent blogs and stay tuned for more content!)

These groups will help you answer tough questions about abortion and provide excellent materials to share with your on-the-fence or pro-choice friends.  With these resources, you can confidently answer why you are pro-life. (If you didn’t see your go-to pro-life education organization, leave the name and link in the comments!)

Get active

Second, take action in your community. Making abortion not just illegal, but unthinkable, is a mighty task. While not all of us are supposed to run for office or direct a pregnancy resource clinic, we all have an unrepeatable role to play.

Start by choosing one way to get active in the pro-life community this year. That’s it. Just one.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Sign up to pray outside of an abortion clinic with 40 Days for Life.
2. Donate to your local pregnancy resource clinic. (Find a clinic here: care-net.org)
3. Petition your legislatures on specific pro-life legislation with March for Life Action.
4. Attend the March for Life.
5. Start a Students for Life chapter at your school.

When Nellie Gray began the March for Life in 1974, she could never have dreamed that it would become the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. Likewise, it is impossible for us to know the difference our little “yes” can make in defending the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

So, let’s get moving – many lives depend on it.

The post What you can do to overcome abortion extremism in 2019 appeared first on March For Life.

“Senators who could not bring themselves to vote to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act should reconsider whether or not they have what it takes to serve. Senator Sasse’s common sense bill would merely require doctors assist a newborn struggling to survive after a failed attempt on her life. Anyone who lacks the basic level of human compassion needed to vote in favor of this should quickly find another job. We look forward to a vote in the House of Representatives so that Chamber can get on record as well.” – Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post March for Life Statement on the Senate’s failure to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act appeared first on March For Life.

“It is absolutely appropriate that the new Title X regulations take into account the difference between abortion and healthcare. Abortion is neither healthcare nor family planning which is why the Title X program has no business funding it. We applaud HHS Secretary Azar and the Trump administration on this move that protects American taxpayers from paying for abortion through Title X. At the same time, the new regulation protects low-income women who rely on Title X assistance because no funds will be cut from the program. In fact, those women in need will receive services at federally qualified health centers (FQHC) which outnumber abortion centers 20:1. At FQHC’s women benefit from better regulatory oversight, a wider range of services, and more life-affirming options. The new Title X regulations are a win-win for all Americans.”

Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post March for Life Applaud the New Title X Regulations appeared first on March For Life.