The largest network of pregnancy help in the U.S. and the world is taking part in a multi-state pregnancy help outreach to celebrate the first anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Heartbeat International at the invitation of the Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch is joining Fitch, Her PLAN, and eight other state AGs for a donation drive to support more than 60 pregnancy centers across the U.S. The drive was originally planned to run from June 20-24 but has been extended to July 1.
June 24 marks the first anniversary of the historic U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s health Organization ruling which reversed Roe, ending 50 years of abortion on demand in the U.S. during which tens of millions of unborn children were aborted.
The Dobbs case concerned the Mississippi Gestational Age Act, which had passed in 2018 and banned abortion after 15 weeks with some exceptions. Fitch, the state of Mississippi’s first female attorney general, had appealed the case to the Supreme Court after an abortion provider challenged the law and prevailed in court.
Fitch has continually supported pregnancy help and life while in office.
She is leading the multi-state Dobbs Donation Drive in cooperation with Her PLAN, Heartbeat, and the other attorneys general.
Her PLAN (Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network), a project of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, facilitates collaboration between assistance providers and their communities to empower women and families through comprehensive medical, social, and material support. Her PLAN operates in 21 U. S. states.
State Attorneys General Brenna Bird (IA), Kris Kobach (KS), Andrew Bailey (MO), Marty Jackley (SD), Jonathan Skrmetti (TN), Sean Reyes (UT), Jason Miyares (VA), and Patrick Morrisey (WV) are co-hosting the donation drive.
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“In the Dobbs decision, the Court returned policymaking about the very important issue of abortion to the people,” Fitch said in a statement. “The task now falls to us to empower women and promote life with laws that reflect our respect for the dignity of women, children, and life itself.”
“As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of this landmark decision, we are asking people to come around women facing the challenges of unplanned pregnancy or new motherhood with love and support by donating needed items to the pregnancy centers that empower women all across the nation, every day,” she said.
The president of Heartbeat International celebrated the initiative led by Fitch.
“We're delighted by Attorney General Fitch's desire to celebrate the historic Dobbs ruling by helping moms and babies in need,” said Heartbeat President Jor-El Godsey. “There is no better way to do this than with local pregnancy help centers who serve faithfully in their communities day in and day out.”
“This multi-state outreach amplifies something we should all agree on,” Godsey said, “that every woman should be loved and supported in her pregnancy. We know that this practical outreach will help real women make the choice of choosing life for their baby.”
The roughly 3,000 pregnancy help centers across the U.S. provide compassionate care and practical support to women and their children.
The latest stats available show that served almost two million people with essential services in 2019, at an estimated total value of services and material assistance of nearly $270 million.
The president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America concurred on the significance of pregnancy help in providing alternatives to abortion for women.
“At the heart of the pro-life movement is love for both mother and child,” Marjorie Dannenfelser said. “With the one-year anniversary of Dobbs on the horizon, we celebrate the unborn lives saved and mothers helped through the faithful service and compassionate care of the more than 2,700 pregnancy centers and maternity homes nationwide.”
Mississippi has more than 30 of those life-affirming pregnancy resource centers that provide care and practical support to women and babies before and after birth, according to Fitch’s statement. In 2019 alone, these centers provided $1.9 million in services and materials to more than 12,000 people.
Fitch also recorded a video message on the Dobbs anniversary and the initiative supporting the 60 U.S. pregnancy centers across nine states.
At the Dobbs Donation Drive webpage, participants can click to view the pregnancy centers’ wish lists. From there they can purchase one or more items through the wish list. At checkout, donors select the pregnancy center’s shipping address, and the supplies will be shipped directly to the centers and used to help the women and children whom they support.
Other members of Heartbeat International leadership remarked on the good that supporting the pregnancy help centers accomplishes.
“Donating key parenting supplies is such an easy and practical way to show support of life-affirming organizations that exist to help provide women compassionate care and support when they need it most,” said Vice President of Communications & Marketing Andrea Trudden. “Your heart feels good when you help someone in need.”
“As we celebrate our first Roe-free year, Heartbeat International is delighted to cohost the Dobbs Donation Drive,” said Tracie Shellhouse vice president of Ministry Services for Heartbeat. “Whether you are pro-life or simply believe in supporting families in need, your donation will provide material aid to women, babies, and families through the compassionate care and practical support provided by pregnancy help centers.”
“Working together,” Shellhouse added, “we can ensure that they have the care and resources they need to thrive in life, both during pregnancy and after birth.”
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
