Moms and Babies Rescued by Pregnancy Help Centers Share Their Gratitude with Legislators

Contact: Virginia Cline, Heartbeat International, 614-885-7577 ext 112

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 21 /Standard Newswire/ -- Women, who received the emotional support and practical help they needed when faced with an unexpected pregnancy, have brought their children to the Ohio Statehouse to tell elected officials how grateful they are for the life-saving work of pregnancy help centers.  They come with one simple message: "Pregnancy Help Centers are good for Ohio."

Heartbeat International joins with Ohio Right to Life and Ohio Adolescent Health Association for Ohio Legislative Day for Life to provide an opportunity for compassionate people with a passion for life and former pregnancy center clients to share about the good work of pregnancy help ministries here in Ohio.

"Our elected officials need to hear from the women we serve," said Heartbeat President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. "I am grateful that these busy moms have made it their priority to travel to our state capital to share positive things about pregnancy help centers. This is a testament to the fact that our elected officials need to support public policy that preserves the bond between mother and child.  Families are strengthened by the life-saving work of pregnancy centers."

Participants will distribute copies of the Family Research Council report, A Passion to Serve, A Vision for Life.  The report is full of endorsements by public figures including one from U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner who said that "Pregnancy care centers...are an expression of charity and genuine love for people dealing with life-changing situations.  The outpouring of local support over the years shown by supporters, organizers, and staff embody the spirit of volunteerism and truly make pregnancy care centers one of the most important grassroots movements in American history."

Heartbeat International affiliates provide emotional support and the practical help needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy, setting the standard for true reproductive healthcare for women in America.  Without any financial gain, Heartbeat's network provides the vital information women need to make an informed decision, the facts that abortion providers often leave out.

Utilizing more than 25,000 volunteers, Heartbeat's worldwide network saves about 2,000 babies a week from abortion.  Doctors, lawyers, nurses, social workers, educators and other professionals assist the pregnancy centers; many of whom have had a personal experience with an unplanned pregnancy, adoption, and/or abortion. 

Pregnancy help centers are serving communities by uniting thousands of concerned citizens who fund the community-based centers and volunteer to help women build strong families. Alternatives to abortion must be available so no woman ever feels forced to abort her baby.

Heartbeat International (www.HeartbeatInternational.org), founded in 1971, is a Christ-centered association of more than 1,100 pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, non-profit adoption agencies, pregnancy help medical clinics and abortion recovery programs in 48 countries. Heartbeat also provides a 24/7 national hotline that connects callers with the local pregnancy help center for the support they need (800-395-HELP/OptionLine.org).