Author Archives: Katrina Gallic

This year the March for Life chose the theme ‘Unique from Day One: Pro-life is Pro-science’ because science continues to reaffirm the pro-life position, that the developing baby in the womb is a human being.

To take a closer look at the science behind the pro-life movement, our staff member, Katrina Gallic, spoke with Dr. Ingrid Skop, a doctor with the American Association for Pro-life OBGYNs (AAPLOG), specifically about the second-trimester of prenatal development and second-trimester abortions.

How  were the terms “first, second, and third trimester” developed?

Can unborn babies feel pain?

Is abortion ever medically necessary?

How do medical and technological advances affect people’s perception of abortion?

Why did you decide to become a pro-life advocate?

If you are interested in learning more about the scientific support for the pro-life movement, register for our 2019 March for Life Conference. The conference will bring together leading experts on the topic of science and the pro-life movement; you will not want to miss it!

Register for the 2019 March for Life Conference here: http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2019/conference/.

The post This is what an OB/GYN thinks about second trimester abortion…. appeared first on March For Life.

When you really get down to it, there is only one tenable argument in favor of abortion. That argument is that the unborn are not living human beings, therefore they do not have the rights human beings have, such as the right to life. As a result, abortion should be considered the same as any other medical procedure.

If this argument is correct, pro-lifers ought to pack up our bags and go home. There would be no reason to try preventing abortions if it really is the equivalent to having a tooth removed.

There is just one problem.

None of the scientific evidence about the beginning of life supports the idea that life begins at any other time than fertilization. None.

The more scientists and doctors investigate, the more evidence they find that human life begins when sperm and egg meet and a new cell is formed, in other words, at the moment of fertilization.

To explain this point, we talked with Dr. George Delgado, a leader in abortion pill reversal (APR), and Dr. David Prentice, a world-renown stem cell and genetics expert.

Here’s what they said. . .

More on the scientific support for the pro-life movement:

A Scientific View of When Life Begins | Lozier Institute  

When Human Life Begins | American College of Pediatricians

Join us on January 18th, 2019 in Washington D.C. to march for life! Our 2019 March for Life theme is ‘Unique from Day One: Pro-life is Pro-science.’ As we peacefully protest in the injustice of abortion, we will also celebrate the scientific support for the pro-life movement. We invite you to march with us.

The post Life begins at fertilization. Thanks, Science! appeared first on March For Life.

Dear Mom or Dad,

Let me start by acknowledging that you are likely experiencing a wide range of emotions. Shock, fear, worry, and disappointment may be among them. You may be wondering what having a child with Down syndrome means for you and your family, and what his or her life will be like. All of those feelings are normal. Please don’t feel any guilt or shame if you are feeling any of them.

As the parent of a seven-year-old son with Down syndrome, I want to encourage with you. First, we were surprised to learn our son was born with Down syndrome. We were first-time parents and had no experience raising a child, much less a child with special needs. However, after being on this journey for almost eight years, I can say that Noah (our son) is one of the biggest blessings of our life. We love him and are thankful that he is our son. He has more in common with typical kids than you may expect. He likes to go swimming, ride roller coasters, and jumping on our trampoline.

I know you may wonder if you can do this, but I want to let you know that you can. There has never been a better time in the history of the world for a child to be born with Down syndrome. There are numerous resources, support networks, research, therapies, and friendships that are here to help you in your journey. (Including this Facebook group.)

In fact, we recently started an origination called Hope Story, and we hope that through it, every woman whose child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis can connect with a parent a little future along in their story (we call these parent’s Hope Advocates). We want every woman to have a friend who can tell them “I know what you’re going through” and to let them that they aren’t alone.

Check out the video below to get an idea of how this process works.

If your child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis and you’d like to connect to a parent of a child with Down syndrome, please contact us.

You may now know this, but a mother’s womb is the most dangerous place in the world for a child with Down syndrome as approximately 67% of women whose child receives a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis choose to abort their child. This is tragic, and we want to see this number go to zero. I long for a day when every child is given an opportunity to make it out of the womb, alive.

I don’t want to sugarcoat it though. Parenting is hard work. Raising any child (regardless of how many chromosomes they have) takes a tremendous amount of patience, love, and sacrifice. Certainly raising a child with Down syndrome comes with unique challenges, but those challenges are eclipsed by the joy your child will bring to your life.

I love all of our sons so much. As I mentioned, being a father to Noah (our son born with Down syndrome) is one of the greatest blessings of our life. He is joy to us and to so many others. I’m proud to be “Noah’s Dad, and I wouldn’t change one chromosome on him!

If you’re feeling a mix of emotions right now, I want to let you know that those feelings will likely go away shelty after your child is born, and they will be replaced with feelings of love.

You can do this, and you aren’t alone! There truly has never been a better time in the history of the world for a child to be born with Down syndrome!

Be sure to subscribe to Hope Story’s mailing list to stay connected to some of the things we are working by clicking here.

Rick Smith is the Founder & President of Hope Story, a Texas non-profit corporation that promotes the beauty and value of all human life by providing hope and encouragement to families whose child has just received a Down syndrome. For over seven years Rick has created awareness about raising a Child with Down syndrome worldwide via his blog and social media channels. Rick’s passionate about helping people use their story to help make a difference in the lives of others. He lives in Dallas, TX with his wife of over a decade, Abbie, and his three children, Noah, Jaxten, and Koen.

Additional Resources:

Hope Story 

Noah’s Dad

Facebook Parent Group for Children with Down Syndrome

Is It Ok to Abort My Child If Prenatal Testing Reveals He May Be Born With Special Needs?

What Should You Say (or Not Say) to a Parent of a Child With Down Syndrome?

How the Bible Preps Us for Surprises

The post A Letter to the Parent Whose Child Has Received a Prenatal Down syndrome Diagnosis appeared first on March For Life.

“March for Life applauds the Trump Administration’s final rule released this afternoon ‘Moral Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act’. Pro-life organizations should not be forced into betraying the very values they were established to advance and this rule will allow such freedom. March for Life bases its pro-life beliefs on ethics and science; the government has no right to demand that organizations provide health insurance plan options that explicitly contradict their mission; it is un-American. We are very grateful to the Trump Administration for its work to protect such conscience rights.”

– March for Life President, Jeanne Mancini

The post March for Life on the Moral Exemptions and Accommodations in the Affordable Care Act appeared first on March For Life.

“Protecting vulnerable, unborn citizens should be a bipartisan goal but sadly Democrats today are held hostage to an extremist pro-abortion lobby. Since they now have control of the U.S. House of Representatives, we can expect pro-abortion Committee Leadership as well as legislative initiatives that advance a pro-abortion agenda. All pro-life gains made by this Administration will come under fire, and we will no doubt see efforts to expand taxpayer funding for abortion as well as the erosion of conscience rights. While the results of these midterm elections represent a significant setback, some measures can still be taken to minimize the damage and at the same time advance the pro-life cause. The President should issue an immediate veto threat any time standing pro-life policies, for example, the Hyde amendment, are stripped from legislation and continue to fill out appointments in the various Departments with people who will work toward a pro-life agenda. The Senate, too, can accelerate the rate at which Judicial and Executive branch nominations are confirmed.” – March for Life President, Jeanne Mancini

The post March for Life Statement on 2018 Mid-Term Elections Results appeared first on March For Life.

(Picture: Courtesy of Secular Pro-life)

For decades, the abortion industry has depicted the pro-life cause as a narrow, out-of-touch religious crusade. As an atheist pro-life advocate, I know better. I am proud to work alongside compassionate people of every faith and none. We are a human rights movement, protecting human beings in the womb from senseless destruction and offering their parents empowering, peaceful solutions.

That is why I was so thrilled when the March for Life announced that the 2019 theme is Unique From Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.

You’ve probably heard the slogan “facts don’t care about your feelings.” It’s meant to be a bit snarky, but I find it beautiful. If facts don’t care about your feelings, they also don’t care who you are, where you’re from, how much money you make, what color your skin is, or whether or how you pray. Scientific facts have the power to transcend political and theological differences. The scientific method is radically inclusive, giving everyone the ability to discover truth.

You were once a zygote. Every person you have ever met and will ever meet was once a zygote. The birth canal does not magically confer humanity. Abortion stops a beating heart. These are the facts, and we proclaim them confidently!

(Picture: Kelsey Hazzard, courtesy of Secular Pro-life)

Sadly, pseudoscientific notions like eugenics are still with us. The abortion industry still takes advantage of uneducated people with lies about “clumps of cells” and “balls of tissue.” Scientific progress does not reach everyone instantaneously. It is up to us spread the truth, until the day abortion is unthinkable for everyone.

I’ll be in Washington, D.C. to support the pro-life, pro-science message on January 19. Won’t you join me?

Kelsey Hazzard is the founder and president of Secular Pro-Life. She is an attorney from Naples, Florida.

Click here to RSVP to the March for Life.

The post Science shatters pro-life stereotypes appeared first on March For Life.

Are you thinking of coming to the March for Life this year, but not sure what it’s all about?

We asked our Instagram followers what the March for Life means to them. This is what they said…

Every year over 100,000 pro-life Americans flood Washington D.C. in the middle of winter to march against abortion and to build a culture of life. The March for Life is the largest annual human rights event in the world.

Join us at the 2019 March for Life on January 18^th 2019.

The post What does the March for Life mean to you? appeared first on March For Life.

“March for Life thanks Secretary Azar and HHS for terminating this horrific $15,000 contract to provide ‘fresh’ fetal tissue. However, this is just a first step.  Three years after being exposed by grisly undercover videos from Center for Medical Progress, the aborted baby parts industry is still receiving substantial financial support from NIH Director Francis Collins as well as taxpayers. Close to $100 million is currently being directed by HHS and NIH towards procurement of baby body parts for experimentation in mice. These funds should instead be redirected to successful alternatives that do not devalue human life.”

– Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post March For Life Statement On FDA Termination Of Contract With ABR appeared first on March For Life.

It can be challenging to be a pro-life student on campus. At many colleges and universities, abortion is viewed as a sacred right and at the same time a normal medical procedure. As the new school year begins, I encourage my fellow pro-life students to take it upon yourself to work towards building a culture of life at our schools across the country.

Here are a few ideas to get started.

1. Start a pro-life club.

One of the most effective ways to get your message out there is by starting a club. Whether you are attending college or high school, students are always looking to get involved and expand their resumes. Students for Life is an incredible organization that will allow you to meet like-minded students and truly make strides in changing your school’s culture. Find out if your campus already has a Students for Life organization and, if not, start your own!

2. Encourage friendly discussions and debates.

Make your position known! There are countless ways to get your message out there. Sport a pro-life t-shirt, hat, or pin! People with opposing views, or who are just curious about the meaning of your clothes, are bound to come up to you and start a discussion. It is vital that you enter a discussion with as many statistics and facts as possible. However, it is just as important that you keep a caring, compassionate tone. Hatred and judgment will get you nowhere when discussing abortion.

3. Free stuff!

People love freebies. If your campus will allow it, set up a booth with pro-life pins, magnets, and anything else you can get your hands on. You can use this to promote your Students for Life club or just to raise awareness for your cause. October 9th is the official pro-life cupcake day! Yes, that’s a thing. Get a group of friends together and bake a batch to give out at your school! Trust me, nobody will say no to a free cupcake. A lot of people oblivious to the subject will come for the free stuff and hopefully stay for the discussion. Every single mind you change may lead to a life saved.

4. Sponsor a stork bus.

This is definitely one of my favorite ideas. Stork buses provide free counseling and ultrasounds to pregnant mothers. According to their website, four out of five women who enter a bus will end up choosing life. They have Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) that are meant to travel to locations mothers in need of compassion might be, i.e. college campuses. Currently, they are only accepting applications for rental from pregnancy resource centers. Odds are a local pregnancy resource center will be thrilled to help bring an MMU to your campus. This is an exceptional way to change your school’s culture and effectively save lives.

5. Bring a pro-life speaker to your campus.

Bringing a pro-life speaker to your campus is a great way to make people aware of your movement and counter an anti-life culture. Hosting a speaker is definitely on the costly side of things, but the benefits will make it worthwhile. Students for Life has a comprehensive list of speakers that students may want to bring onto their campus as well as their contact information and average prices, check it out here!

Remember— we are the pro-life generation and change starts with you and your peers.

By Autumn Klein, a sophomore at St. Petersburg College, a contributing content coordinator for Lone Conservative and the editor in chief for The Rogue Review.

The post How to be a successful pro-life advocate on your campus appeared first on March For Life.