The 2018 March for Life is just 52 days away!

As we prepare for the 45th Annual March for Life, we need your help.

On this Giving Tuesday, will you make a gift to the March for Life?

Will you join us in our mission to end abortion across America?

In less than two months, we will gather in our nation’s capital to witness to the tragedy of 45 years of Roe v. Wade in our country. We expect more than one hundred thousand pro-life Americans to come to Washington, D.C. to proclaim the truth about life and that love saves lives.

But we need supporters like you to ensure that we are able to organize the world’s largest pro-life event, which has spurred similar events all across the country and the globe.

Will you make a donation to the March for Life this Giving Tuesday?

We want the world to know that we march for LIFE. We hope that you join us!

Thank you for your support!

The post 52 Days Away! appeared first on March For Life.

“Plumb’s music embodies an unparalleled message of hope and love that exemplifies this year’s theme: Love Saves Lives.” – Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March for Life is thrilled to announce that best-selling artist Plumb will be performing at the 45^th annual March for Life rally on January 19^th, 2018.

“We are delighted to have such an inspirational artist like Plumb join us this year. Plumb’s music embodies an unparalleled message of hope and love that exemplifies this year’s March for Life theme – Love Saves Lives,” said Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life.

WATCH Plumb’s announcement here:

Throughout her decade-plus career as a songwriter, recording artist and author, Plumb has found success in a myriad of genres, selling over a half a million albums and millions of singles sold and streamed worldwide.  Her career achieved an incredible milestone with her prophetic, best-selling 2012 album NEED YOU NOW and corresponding memoir that chronicled the miraculous restoration of her marriage titled “Need You Now: A Story of Hope”.

These projects were followed by the 2015 breakout album EXHALE, a worshipful album of thanksgiving. Plumb released a 5 song EP “GOD HELP ME” on November 3, to be followed by a full-length album, new book and national headlining tour scheduled for early 2018. Plumb’s newly released single, “God Help Me” is currently climbing the radio charts, proclaiming that God is always with us, and he always listens.

The post Plumb to Headline 45th Annual March for Life Rally as Musical Guest appeared first on March For Life.

The March for Life released the following statement cheering today’s passage of a pro-life tax plan in the House.

“March for Life applauds the House of Representatives for passing a pro-life tax plan that takes key steps towards recognizing the dignity of all human life. We are heartened to see this bill promote the personhood of an unborn child via an education savings plan that begins prior to birth, and see this as a huge stride toward expanding the child tax credit to recognize life beginning at conception. Additionally, we are pleased that the adoption tax credit, an integral aspect of pro-life policy, has been retained for the heroic families whose love saves lives when they choose to adopt.” – Tom McClusky, Vice President of Government Affairs for March for Life

The post March for Life Statement on Tax Plan appeared first on March For Life.

How are you responding to the call on your life to work to end abortion?

Here at the March for Life, we are working each and every day so that one day soon, we will no longer have to march for life.

Last week, EWTN News Pro-Life Weekly, featured this year-round work of the March for Life, as well as our President Jeanne Mancini.

You can watch the brief segment below:

In the clip, Jeanne shares about her faith and life experiences that underlie her belief in the truth that “every life is a gift and every person has human dignity.”

The EWTN anchor notes that the 2018 March for Life theme, “Love Saves Lives,” matches “Jeanne’s noteworthy passion and optimism and her big hopes for the future.”

Jeanne closes the segment by posing this challenge: “If every marcher responded to God’s call to them, to their potential, abortion would be ended that year, I’m convinced of it.”

So what can you do?

1. Share this video clip to encourage pro-life individuals to respond to the call on their life to work to end abortion.

2. Invite your friends and family to the March for Life so that they may be inspired and equipped to take action in the pro-life movement.

The post If Every Marcher Did This One Thing… appeared first on March For Life.

British actress Sally Phillips may be best known to Americans for her roles in “Bridget Jones’ Diary” or “Veep,” but she’s taking on a new role in the UK that is causing many to pay attention.

Phillips is the mother of three children, and her oldest son Ollie, has Down Syndrome. She is one of many parents of children with Down Syndrome concerned about the UK government’s proposal to implement a new prenatal test (second-line cfDNA screening: NIPT – non-invasive prenatal testing) that is projected to result in a significant increase in terminations of children with Down’s Syndrome.

According to the advocacy group, Don’t Screen Us Out, the consequences of this testing “would have a profound long-term effect on the population of the Down’s syndrome community, and enable a kind of informal eugenics in which certain kinds of disabled people are effectively ‘screened out’ of the population before they are even born.”

Troubled by these reports, Phillips embarked on the process of making a documentary about the testing, and to show the world firsthand the inherent value and dignity of individuals like her son Ollie. She opens the film with the questions: “What kind of society do we want? And who should be allowed to live in it?”

This is a fascinating, and at times hard film to watch, as a wide variety of individuals share their thoughts on Down Syndrome, genetic testing, and abortion. One must also keep in mind that Phillips has never claimed to be a pro-life advocate; in fact, she has one comment to a researcher that would indicate that she supports a “woman’s choice.” However, the overwhelming message of the documentary is that the extremely high (and increasing) rate of abortion for diagnoses of Down Syndrome is not only a bad thing for society, it’s discrimination in the worst way towards a group of people.

The films opens with some poignant and hilarious scenes of Phillips and her three children. She quips that when she first learned her son had Down Syndrome (not until several days after he was born), “I was expecting tragedy but I got comedy.” She also mentions here that a majority of families with an individual with Down Syndrome are very happy.

>>>> Check out the research from Dr. Brian Skotko that supports this.

She interviews a fetal genetic testing doctor, and questions “why is everyone behaving like having a baby with Down Syndrome is a catastrophe?” One of the reasons he cites is that people think of the child as a burden to the family for many years.” Phillips responds, “A burden that lasts a long time? That’s not how I see Ollie.”

A visit to Iceland, where the termination rate has reached nearly 100% for babies with Down Syndrome, is also part of the documentary. Phillips visits an exhibition of photographs of individuals with Down Syndrome by Sigga Ella, and interviews one of the few remaining individuals with Down Syndrome in Iceland. “It felt like they were coming after me,” the young woman shares when she hears reports on the “elimination of Down Syndrome.”

Ultimately, Phillips questions the idea of choice. She interviews a mother who chose to abort her child because of a Down Syndrome diagnosis. You can visibly see that Phillips is having a hard time with this. The mother spoke of a desire for happiness for her and her child. Afterwards, Phillips reflects,

“I think she’s wrong that an increase in choices increases happiness…The thing I keep coming up against is this idea of choice. Ollie had 1 in 10000 chance of Down Syndrome – back then if I was told I’d have a child with disability, I’m not sure if I’d had been able to say yes. But having him in my life has changed me and my family for the better. That makes me question whether choice is the great thing it’s cracked up to be. Where will all these choices take us?”

 

Sadly, she concludes, that the “choice” to terminate with Down Syndrome nearly 100% of the time, could lead to the frightening vision of “a world without Down Syndrome.” That is a world Phillips – and the March for Life – wants to prevent. As she poignantly concludes, “there is great value in things not being perfect.”

You can watch the full documentary below:

The post REVIEW: “A World Without Down Syndrome”? appeared first on March For Life.

The 2018 March for Life is three months away! If you haven’t already, be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, January 19 to march for life in Washington, D.C. Below are three simple things you can do to get your planning started.

1. Sign up!

By signing up for March for Life email updates, we’ll be sure to send you the latest information about the March for Life, speaker announcements, and other important pro-life opportunities.

2. Download the March for Life app!

The app is a great way to connect with the March for Life community. You’ll also have all of the March for Life planning and logistical details at your fingertips. It’s available for iPhone and Android users.

3. Invite your friends!

We need the voice of every pro-life American to speak out against the injustice of abortion and to witness to the beauty of life at the March for Life. Please commit to inviting friends to participate in the 2018 March for Life!

Increased participation not only strengthens the public witness against abortion but being a Marcher is a transformative activity! It is so easy to invite– you can use email, social media, or simply make an old-fashioned phone call!

Below is the Facebook event. And you can click HERE to find more user-friendly, downloadable items to help you spread the word.

Thank you for being part of the world’s largest pro-life event. Together, we can end abortion.

See you in January!

The post 3 Ways to Prepare for the March for Life! appeared first on March For Life.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We’re featuring three of our favorite parents who are advocates for their children with Down Syndrome (there are also many more!). These families are breaking stereotypes and showing the world that every life is a gift!

1. Carissa Carroll

Carissa is mom to two boys and one girl, including Jack who has Down Syndrome. She founded Jack’s Baskets to celebrate every child born with Down syndrome and congratulate their family with gifts, support, and resources.

For the 2015 March for Life with the theme, “Every Life is a Gift,” Carissa shared her story and work with Jack’s Baskets. Its mission is to celebrate babies born with Down syndrome, to ensure that every new and expectant parent is provided resources and avenues of support within the community, and to educate medical providers on how to discuss the diagnosis in an unbiased way in hopes that the birth of a child with Down syndrome is celebrated like any other.

Carissa and Jack also joined the March for Life in an Instagram Takeover a few years ago. See the pictures here!

Thank you, Carissa, for being an advocate for Jack and kids and families with Down Syndrome!

2. Rick Smith

Rick is the father of two boys, with another on the way! His son Noah, has Down Syndrome, and since Noah’s birth, Rick has been a tireless advocate for his son and all individuals with Down Syndrome.

He runs an inspirational and informative blog, “Noah’s Dad.” We highly recommend one of his most shared posts, “What To Say To Someone Who Has Received A Down Syndrome Diagnosis.”

Rick, Noah, and family also joined us for an Instagram takeover this year. Check out the pictures here!

Thank you for all you do, Rick, for Noah and the Down Syndrome community!

3. Oakley Peterson

Oakley is mom to three precious children, including Welles who has Down Syndrome. She documents her life on the blog, “Nothing Down About It.” Her mission is to “encourage other mothers out there who are new to this situation. I was just there at the beginning and now offer you my support and love.” She further shares, “Our wonderful special children unite us with a unique bond and blessing and responsibility. Together we can shrug off stigmas and help people embrace the goodness of these angels among us! Together we can help all of our children realize their full potential.”

You can watch a short video about her family HERE.

Thank you, Oakley, for being a voice for Welles and all children with Down Syndrome!

The post 3 Parents Advocating for Kids With Down Syndrome appeared first on March For Life.

The news out of Iceland that 100% of babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted is still fresh in our minds and raw in our hearts.

The sad truth of the matter is that Iceland is not preventing or eradicating anything but rather terminating nearly 100% of their babies who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, yesterday, March for Life President Jeanne Mancini talked with Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care in Fairfax, Virginia about this tragedy.

“The high termination rate for babies with #Downsyndrome is not about “eliminating a disease,” it’s eliminating a group of people.” pic.twitter.com/l7KzuP1Q3l

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) October 10, 2017

During the Facebook Live session, Dr. Bruchaski and Will Waldron, Executive Director of Divine Mercy Care, also shared about an upcoming free lecture that the center is hosting, “Down Syndrome as a Pro-Life Cause.” The lecture will feature Madame Birthe Lejeune, wife of the renowned French physician and geneticist, Dr. Jerome Lejeune. Dr. Lejeune is credited with discovering the chromosomal cause of Down Syndrome. He devoted his life to promoting the dignity of individuals with Down Syndrome and opposing abortion for fetal abnormalities like Down Syndrome.

If you are in the Washington, D.C. area and are interested in attending the event, click HERE for more information.

You can watch the full Facebook Live discussion below:

The post Down Syndrome Awareness Month appeared first on March For Life.

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM COMMENT
October 6, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.adfmedia.org/home/contact

The following quotes may be attributed respectively to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor and March for Life President Jeanne Mancini regarding a new rule that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued Friday that expands protections in the Obama-era abortion-pill mandate for organizations with pro-life religious or moral convictions. That mandate had forced many employers, regardless of those beliefs, to provide abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception under threat of heavy penalties by the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies if the mandate’s requirements weren’t met:

“The beliefs that inspire Christian colleges and universities and the Little Sisters of the Poor to serve their communities should be protected,” said Baylor. “During his campaign, President Trump promised that protecting religious liberty would be a top priority and people of faith would not be bullied on his watch. We are pleased that this rule is a major step forward in keeping that promise and restoring back to people of faith their constitutionally protected freedom. We are also pleased the rule protects the conscience convictions of organizations like March for Life, an organization that bases its pro-life beliefs on science and philosophy, and hosts the largest pro-life gathering in the world every year in Washington, D.C.

“Although organizations that filed civil rights lawsuits will still need final relief from the courts, it is encouraging to see the Trump Administration affirm the principle that all Americans should be free to peacefully live and work according to their faith and conscience without threat of government punishment. Access to contraception and other drugs and devices will continue to be as widely and readily available as it always has been for those who want these items. We commend the president for his commitment to freedom and restoring the choice of religious and pro-life employers and their female employees to work at organizations consistent with their convictions. We expect that the Department of Justice will work with us to quickly resolve these cases in a manner that fully and permanently protects the freedom of conscience of our clients.

“The March For Life Education and Defense Fund exists to protect and defend life from conception. When we were forced by the Obama administration to carry drugs and devices that destroy life in its early stages we were appalled and ultimately needed to seek legal protection. It is un-American to force non profit organizations to defy their very reason for being on something as important as life. We are grateful to the Trump Administration for this rule which will allow pro-life organizations to freely operate according to their beliefs on something as important as the protection of life and look forward to final resolution of our case in court that is consistent with this rule,” said Mancini, a litigant against the mandate. “Our nation has a rich history of protecting conscientious objectors and pro-life organizations must be free to operate according to their beliefs.” 

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.

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