Press Release
Ahead of Dobbs, Heartbeat International survey sees dangerous increase in violence and threats against pregnancy centers
June 16, 2022
Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
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(614) 885-7577
Ahead of Dobbs, Heartbeat International survey sees dangerous increase in violence and threats against pregnancy centers
COLUMBUS, Oh. — An informal survey by Heartbeat International—the world’s largest network of pro-life pregnancy help organizations in the world—of its more than 1,900 U.S.-based affiliate locations reveals a disturbing trend of increasing violence against pregnancy help centers ahead of the expected decision in the Dobbs case that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.
The survey shows that abortion activists have moved in deceptive and dangerous ways to channel their anger over the impending Supreme Court leak that showed a potential overturn of the Roe v. Wade decision. In recent days, abortion extremists groups have amplified national calls to action to attack pregnancy help organizations—places that exist to provide pregnant women with care and resources.
Of the 137 responses to the Heartbeat International survey, more than one in six organizations in over 20 states reported an increase in incidents targeting their organizations. These range from fake online reviews to vandalism, including the destruction of property, all occurring since the beginning of May.
“This anger is completely misguided. These pro-abortion vigilantes claim to be standing up for women while simultaneously obstructing women from receiving the pregnancy care they seek,” said Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International president.
Of the organizations reporting incidents:
- An alarming 20% reported property damage
- More than 30% have seen an increase in fake online reviews
- 20% have received angry calls
- 10% have experienced protests outside their locations
- 6% have received threats.
“The time these centers must close in order to clean up paint or replace broken windows is time now that they aren’t able to serve women and families,” Godsey said. “The women these vandals claim to care about are now being denied care due to what amounts to a temper tantrum.”
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Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 80 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Website - HeartbeatInternational.org
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Heartbeat releases the latest Life Trends 2022 Report
May 2, 2021
Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
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(614) 885-7577
NEW REPORT: Pregnancy help organizations expand services and reach, adapting to new state laws and abortion pathways
Heartbeat releases the latest Life Trends 2022 Report
Columbus, OH: Heartbeat International released a report highlighting the findings of the services provided within their network of more than 3,000 pregnancy help locations worldwide. The Life Trends 2022 Report also underscores unique ways that the pregnancy help movement serves women through not only pregnancy centers, but also mobile medical units, maternity homes, and Abortion Pill Reversal.
“The Life Trends 2022 Report shows another phenomenal year of pregnancy help making a powerful difference through pregnancy centers and their movement partners like mobile medical units, maternity homes, not to mention critical focused outreach like Abortion Pill Reversal,” said Heartbeat International president, Jor-El Godsey. “Together pregnancy help is a broad and thriving movement making a difference for life!”
As chemical abortions now account for 54 percent of all abortions in the U.S., Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) continues to experience growth, showing a 173 percent increase in reversal starts since 2019, highlighting the fact that as use of the abortion pill expands, so does the need for reversal.
The report looks at political trends in the U.S. as well, highlighting the impact the Texas “Heartbeat Law” which prohibits abortions after a heartbeat is detected (~8 weeks) had on pregnancy centers after being enacted in September. From the report, 49 percent of the centers indicated seeing an increase of clients after the law was enacted. Abortions in Texas fell 59% from August 2021 to September 2021.[i]
“We are witnessing history being made in real-time as states enact abortion-related laws nationwide and we’ve seen how swiftly our centers can adapt to these changes. Every woman deserves love and support during an unexpected pregnancy,” Andrea Trudden, Heartbeat’s vice president of communications and marketing said. “No matter where a woman is in her pregnancy journey, the pregnancy help network provides essential care and support – often at no cost – and will continue to do so because it is the right thing to do.”
Link to Life Trends 2022 Report: heartbeatinternational.org/lifetrends
Key findings in the report include:
- 1,977,509 people now have access to pregnancy help through Heartbeat's Pregnancy Center Life Launch program
- 173% increase in abortion pill reversal starts since 2019
- Fewer than a dozen countries in the world besides the U.S. allow abortion without any restrictions after 15 weeks
- 49% of Texas pregnancy centers reported an increase of clients after the "Heartbeat Law" was enacted
- 3,000+ lives have been saved since 2012, according to statistics
Trend: Chemical Abortion
Chemical abortions have been increasingly preferred by abortion providers for years. 54% of all abortions are now performed through the abortion pill.[ii]
Trend: Abortion Pill Reversal
Heartbeat's Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) connects women who regret taking the first dose of the abortion pill regimen to a network of medical professionals trained to administer the reversal protocol.
- 3,000+ lives have been saved since 2012, according to statistics
- 1,091 lives were saved in 2020 through APR
- 150 women on average start the abortion pill reversal process each month
- Women in all 50 states and 65 countries contacted APRN in 2021
- 75% of women who seek reversal do so within 24 hours of taking the abortion pill
- 173% increase in reversal starts from 2019 to 2021
Trend: Option Line
Option Line's 24/7 pregnancy helpline is a resource that proved critically important in 2021, as many pregnancy centers were able to forward all phone calls to Option Line when they were forced to temporarily close their doors due to continued waves of COVID-19.
- 52% of contact via phone
- 30% of contact via chat
- 14% use a self-service locator
- Option Line connects someone to life-saving help every 88 seconds
- More than 5 million women and men have contacted Option Line since 2003
[i] Selected Characteristics of Induced Terminations of Pregnancy by Month, by Alison Little, Texas Health and Human Services, February 2022
[ii] guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions
Pro-Life Network that Manages Abortion Pill Rescue Network Calls Out Report Google Used to Ban Life-Saving Ads
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2021
Andrea Trudden
Sr. Director of Communications & Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(614) 885-7577
Pro-Life Network that Manages Abortion Pill Rescue Network Calls Out Report Google Used to Ban Life-Saving Ads
Columbus, OH – Today, Heartbeat International, the world’s largest pregnancy help network, which manages the Abortion Pill Rescue Network, sent a letter to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) demanding that they remove factually false information from the “Endangering Women for Profit” report.
On Tuesday, Google removed Heartbeat International’s ads promoting the Abortion Pill Reversal hotline following the inaccurate claims within the CCDH report. Other news outlets then amplified this false data in their own reporting.
The letter from Heartbeat calls for the full and immediate removal of incorrect data from the report and requests a correction be published, noting the inaccuracies.
“The CCDH’s choice to base this report on inaccurate information and a single failed study demonstrates their interest is promoting Big Abortion and not empowering women with real choices,” said Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International. “By removing Abortion Pill Reversal ads from Google, they silence the only viable option for women who are looking to reverse the effects of the abortion pill, effectively forcing women to complete an abortion they no longer want.”
Statistics show that Abortion Pill Reversal has saved over 2,500 babies and empowered women by putting choice back into their hands. These are the stories that the ads targeted by Google and CCDH tell. The Center for Countering Digital Hate would rather pretend these women and children do not exist than allow a true choice for women.
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For more information on Heartbeat International go to www.HeartbeatInternational.org.
About Abortion Pill Rescue Network: Abortion pill reversal is a cutting-edge application of a time-tested, FDA-approved treatment used for decades to prevent miscarriage and preterm birth. It involves emergency, ongoing doses of progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion pill. From the moment a woman takes the abortion pill, she has about 72 hours to change her mind and save her baby. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network answers more than 300 mission-critical calls a month from women who regret their abortion decision. Statistics show that more than 2,500 lives have been saved (and counting) through the abortion pill reversal protocol.
If you or someone you know took the abortion pill and regret it, there may still be time. The Abortion Pill Reversal hotline provides free and confidential care 24/7. Call 877.558.0333 or go to www.AbortionPillReversal.com now. There may still be time to save your pregnancy.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with nearly 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 70 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Big Tech Silences Life-Saving Abortion Pill Reversal
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Sr. Director of Communications and Marketing
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Columbus, OH – Women deserve to know the truth about all their options; that is why it is extremely disappointing to see Big Tech kowtow to Big Abortion. In the latest attack against pregnancy help, a petition was launched by The Center for Countering Digital Hate demanding that Google and Facebook not only remove any and all ads mentioning Abortion Pill Reversal but also demands that the tech companies “donate revenues from ads…to organizations providing science-based care for women.”
If this latest report was a fair assessment of all digital advertising, it would note that what meager dollar amount Heartbeat International spends pales in comparison to groups like Planned Parenthood that spends millions upon millions of dollars in digital advertising each year to influence the culture to embrace abortion.
Abortion Pill Reversal works. Statistics show that more than 2,500 lives have been saved by reversal so far. Unfortunately, The Center for Countering Digital Hate pretends these women and children do not exist rather than allowing women a true choice for those seeking to reverse the effects of the abortion pill.
By removing Abortion Pill Reversal ads from Google and Facebook—two of the largest tech companies in the world—these companies silence the only viable option for women who seek to reverse the effects of the abortion pill.
To pretend that women do not regret their abortion choice denies reality. Studies have shown this and women have stated it.
We have a viable option available to women who seek to reverse the effects of the abortion pill through the use of progesterone. Why would anyone seek to suppress that knowledge from women?
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For more information on Heartbeat International go to www.HeartbeatInternational.org.
About Abortion Pill Rescue Network: Abortion pill reversal is a cutting-edge application of a time-tested, FDA-approved treatment used for decades to prevent miscarriage and preterm birth. It involves emergency, ongoing doses of progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion pill. From the moment a woman takes the abortion pill, she has about 72 hours to change her mind and save her baby. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network answers more than 300 mission-critical calls a month from women who regret their abortion decision. Statistics show that more than 2,500 lives have been saved (and counting) through the abortion pill reversal protocol.
If you or someone you know took the abortion pill and regret it, there may still be time. The Abortion Pill Reversal hotline provides free and confidential care 24/7. Call 877.558.0333 or go to www.AbortionPillReversal.com now. There may still be time to save your pregnancy.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with nearly 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 70 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
This is Chemical Abortion
Currently, political leaders are pressuring the FDA to make it easier to sell abortion pills via mail, politicizing "medicine" to favor the interests of Big Abortion. If successful, this will increase the number of abortions in the United States by millions.
Heartbeat and our Abortion Pill Rescue Network have been working with our friends at Students for Life to put together a powerful new tool to combat this deadly trend.
Heartbeat President Jor-El Godsey joined Students for Life and our incredible partners to announce this on an Emergency Nationwide Pro-Life Webcast. See below:
The powerful new tool: A new Docu-Series, produced by Charlotte Pence Bond, in partnership with Students for Life of America and Heartbeat International. This series uncovers the dangers of Chemical Abortion and the push by the current administration to expand use of it.
Watch the Docu-Series to learn more about this dangerous new frontier for the abortion industry.
As the abortion industry looks to expand, we continue to bring hope! Our Abortion Pill Rescue Network is here and ready to answer the calls from girls seeking to reverse the effects of that first abortion pill. You can help us answer these calls by supporting our efforts today. Click here to make a donation now and help a woman know that it's not too late. There is still hope to save her pregnancy.
Dr. Brent Boles joins Heartbeat International as Medical Director
Thursday | May 20, 2021
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Sr. Director of Communications and Marketing
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Heartbeat is excited to announce that Dr. Brent Boles, a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN for nearly three decades, has joined the Heartbeat International team as Medical Director.
“Dr. Boles is a skilled physician in his practice and a bold champion for life in the public arena,” said Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International president. “He has been an integral part of Heartbeat's Abortion Pill Rescue® Network Medical Advisory team since its inception and we are blessed to have him serve as our Medical Director.”
“Abortion Pill Rescue Network has grown tremendously in the last three years. The addition of Dr. Brent Boles to our team as Medical Director provides the guidance and expertise needed to grow the network even further,” said Christa Brown, director of Medical Impact for Heartbeat International. “Dr. Boles has a servant’s heart and desire to walk alongside others who are dedicated to making abortion unwanted today, and unthinkable for future generations.”
A longtime supporter of the work of Heartbeat International, Dr. Boles will also work closely with Heartbeat's leadership to implement Medical Impact strategies that serve the pregnancy help movement in even greater ways. We are excited about his involvement and wholeheartedly welcome him to the Heartbeat team.
"The abortion industry says that reversal doesn't work, and is 'experimental.' The truth is this: progesterone has been used in high-risk pregnancies for decades —in fact, it has been used in high-risk pregnancies since before Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973." Dr. Boles said.
“I am also pleased to announce that today I have accepted the position of Medical Director for the Abortion Pill Rescue Network. Exciting things are coming!”
To schedule an interview, contact Andrea Trudden at 614-885-7577. For more details click here.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Abortion Pill Rescue Network: Abortion pill reversal is a cutting-edge application of a time-tested, FDA-approved treatment used for decades to prevent miscarriage and preterm birth. It involves emergency, ongoing doses of progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion pill. From the moment a woman takes the abortion pill, she has about 72 hours to change her mind and save her baby. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network answers more than 300 mission-critical calls a month from women who regret their abortion decision. Statistics show that more than 2,000 lives have been saved (and counting) through the abortion pill reversal protocol.
If you or someone you know took the abortion pill and regret it, there may still be time. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network provides free and confidential care 24/7. Call 877.558.0333 or go to AbortionPillReversal.com now. There may still be time to save your pregnancy.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with nearly 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 70 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Abortion Pill Rescue Network targeted by big abortion allies
Wednesday | March 24, 2021
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Sr. Director of Communications and Marketing
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An irregular increase in international calls to the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) recently signaled another orchestrated offensive by the abortion lobby targeting pregnancy help. But Heartbeat International’s network of APR providers did not miss a beat, nor deviate from the mission of serving women who regret starting a chemical abortion.
The APRN hotline nurses immediately noticed an uncharacteristic pattern, but despite the red flag, the committed professionals at both the APRN and Option Line continued to provide the usual compassionate service and care intended for women in genuine need.
The suspicion was confirmed Monday as openDemocracy contacted Heartbeat for response to the “findings” of its "investigative report" on the APRN.
Anticipating the ruse the week before, Heartbeat International President Jor-El Godsey said that if pro-abortion forces such as the website behind previous unfounded criticism of Heartbeat’s life-saving work sought to convict Heartbeat of performing its Christ-centered mission of serving women facing unplanned pregnancy - then the verdict is guilty as charged.
“We know that our team only supplied evidence that we love and care for women as they seek to make the choice to rescue their baby from a chemical abortion,” he said. “The good news?” Godsey said, “Our team performed excellently.”
“We hear from women every single day who regret taking mifepristone to end a pregnancy and desire a way to continue their pregnancies and rescue their babies,” said Christa Brown, director of Medical Impact at Heartbeat International. “Abortion Pill Rescue Network listens to their requests and offers women real choices even after starting a chemical abortion.”
“We are called to serve and the APRN/OL team did,” said Godsey, “even with their suspicions. The nurse managers jumped in and took the sudden overflow of international calls, handling them with grace and good intent. Well done APRN and Option Line team!”
The APRN and staff at Option Line spent multiple hours with the duplicitous contacts, in some cases the conversations were spread out over two to three days. This was time taken from serving women who truly needed their services.
“The Big Abortion allies at openDemocracy may have grist for their hit piece, but what they really did was distract our good people from the life-saving work APR actually is,” Godsey said. “It will certainly be lost on openDemocracy that their efforts fail women.”
To schedule an interview, contact Andrea Trudden at 614-885-7577. For more details click here.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Abortion Pill Rescue Network: Abortion pill reversal is a cutting-edge application of a time-tested, FDA-approved treatment used for decades to prevent miscarriage and preterm birth. It involves emergency, ongoing doses of progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion pill. From the moment a woman takes the abortion pill, she has about 72 hours to change her mind and save her baby. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network answers more than 150 mission-critical calls a month from women who regret their abortion decision. Statistics show that more than 2,000 lives have been saved (and counting) through the abortion pill reversal protocol.
If you or someone you know took the abortion pill and regret it, there may still be time. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network provides free and confidential care 24/7. Call us at 877.558.0333 or go to AbortionPillReversal.com now. There may still be time to save your pregnancy.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with nearly 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 70 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Ashley Bratcher Surprises Mom with Unplanned Movie Scholarship in Time for the Holiday Season
Tuesday | November, 24 2020
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications and Marketing
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Ashley Bratcher Surprises Mom with Unplanned Movie Scholarship in Time for the Holiday Season
Columbus, OH: Inspired by her starring role in the movie Unplanned, Ashley Bratcher partnered with Heartbeat International to award a brave woman who chose life when facing an unplanned pregnancy with an $11,700 scholarship to put toward her education.
The Unplanned Movie Scholarship provides Heartbeat International's network of pregnancy help organizations the opportunity to honor clients with financial support toward their education. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $20,000 in four years beginning from the time of their acceptance for the purpose of schooling or schooling related costs (i.e. childcare, transportation, books, etc.).
“Abortion does not empower women,” Bratcher said. “What empowers women is when they choose life for their children and they can still pursue their dreams. Because they can, sometimes it just takes a little help.”
The latest recipient, Sarah, received pregnancy support and on-going care at InnerVisions Healthcare, a pregnancy help medical clinic with locations in Des Moines and West Des Moines, IA. InnerVisions HealthCare provides women and men facing unplanned pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases with compassion and truthful information to educate, empower, and encourage them to live their best life.
Sarah recently finished school for massage therapy and took out student loans for the program and licensing. The Unplanned Movie Scholarship will now help cover her costs related to school.
"Tucked into Unplanned is a vivid reminder that education can present an obstacle to accepting the new life within,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International. “The Unplanned Movie Scholarship will be a lifeline to a young mom's future as she makes the brave choice to embrace motherhood.”
When asked about the partnership with Heartbeat, Bratcher said, “Not only will the scholarship financially support the decision of mothers to continue their education, but it will also connect them to an organization that will support them throughout their pregnancy and beyond.”
The Unplanned Movie Scholarship fund is accepting donations at www.UnplannedMovieScholarship.com.
To learn more about Ashley Bratcher, go to IMDb.com and follow her on Twitter.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 2,800 affiliated locations in more than 60 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Today the Charlotte Lozier Institute released a report highlighting the findings of a robust study of approximately 2,700 U.S. pregnancy centers. The new report, “Pregnancy Centers Stand the Test of Time,” is based on national survey data provided by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and other pregnancy center networks, including Care Net and Heartbeat International. The data in this report quantifies the tremendous impact of pregnancy centers in America.
“Pregnancy centers and medical clinics exist to empower mothers to choose life. They provide invaluable education as well as physical, medical, emotional and financial support,” said Anne O’Connor, NIFLA Vice President of Legal Affairs. “This report quantifies the impact of their work on a national scale. Pregnancy centers provide these services at no cost, saving communities across the nation millions in tax dollars annually. All Americans, regardless of political orientation, can agree that pregnancy centers provide welcome essential resources during times of uncertainty.”
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Key findings in the report include:
2,700 pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide served almost two million people in 2019, at an estimated value of nearly $270 million.
These are some of the vital services typically provided at virtually no charge:
Almost 732,000 pregnancy tests
More than 486,000 free ultrasounds
160,200 STI/STD tests
More than 291,000 clients attended parenting and prenatal education programs
More than 21,000 clients received after-abortion support
Nearly 1.3 million packs of diapers
More than two million baby outfits
Personnel facts:
68,832 workers serve pregnancy centers, including nearly 3,800 licensed medical staff (25% of paid staff)
Eight in 10 (53,855) of these workers are volunteers, including more than 6,400 licensed medical volunteers (12% of total volunteers)
Over 10,000 licensed medical workers provide care, as staff and volunteers
NEW REPORT: U.S. pro-life pregnancy centers assist nearly 2 million with essential services in 2019
Wednesday | October 21, 2020
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications and Marketing
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NEW REPORT: U.S. pro-life pregnancy centers assist nearly 2 million with essential services in 2019
Charlotte Lozier Institute releases new Report Highlighting Care for Women and Families
Columbus, OH: Today the Charlotte Lozier Institute released a report highlighting the findings of a robust study of approximately 2,700 U.S. pregnancy centers. The new report, “Pregnancy Centers Stand the Test of Time,” is based on national survey data provided by Heartbeat International and other pregnancy help networks, including Care Net and NIFLA to calculate their extraordinary medical, education, support, and material service contributions in 2019. The report also highlights unique ways that the pregnancy help movement serves women, namely through the addition of the abortion pill reversal and their work identifying victims of human trafficking.
“A comprehensive big-picture look at the service performed by pregnancy centers is just amazing,” Godsey said. “These pregnancy help centers work every day to empower moms and families to choose life, made possible because of dedicated staff and volunteers, and generous backers. The significance of offering this hope for life nearly 2 million individual times each year cannot be overstated.”
Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) continues to experience growth and CLI’s report points out that Heartbeat continually seeks qualified consultants to receive APR inquiries, as well as recruit more physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners into the APRN provider network.
Continuing the adaptation of services to meet unique needs, Heartbeat International launched the first anti-human trafficking course for pregnancy help centers two years ago and continues to assist centers in preparing to serve these individuals.
"Pregnancy help centers are vital first responders to this modern slavery,” said Heartbeat International’s Director of Ministry Services Betty McDowell, who has testified before Congress on this issue.
As awareness grows, so will the need to serve them, and pregnancy help organizations stand ready to meet the need.
Key findings in the report include:
- 2,700 pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide served almost two million people in 2019, at an estimated value of nearly $270 million.
- These are some of the vital services typically provided at virtually no charge:
- Almost 732,000 pregnancy tests
- More than 486,000 free ultrasounds
- 160,200 STI/STD tests
- More than 291,000 clients attended parenting and prenatal education programs
- More than 21,000 clients received after-abortion support
- More than 881,000 students attended sexual risk avoidance education presentations
- Nearly 1.3 million packs of diapers
- More than two million baby outfits
- Personnel facts:
- 68,832 workers serve pregnancy centers, including nearly 3,800 licensed medical staff (25% of paid staff)
- Eight in 10 (53,855) of these workers are volunteers, including more than 6,400 licensed medical volunteers (12% of total volunteers)
- Over 10,000 licensed medical workers provide care, as staff and volunteers
- Percentage of centers offering the following services:
- Material items – 94%
- Parenting/prenatal education – 86%
- Ultrasound – 79%
- After-abortion recovery – 72%
In addition, a growing percentage of centers offer sexual risk avoidance presentations to youth (36%), STI/STD testing (30%), STI/STD treatment (21%), childbirth classes (27%), and breastfeeding consultations (19%).
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 2,800 affiliated locations in more than 60 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Today the Charlotte Lozier Institute released a report highlighting the findings of a robust study of approximately 2,700 U.S. pregnancy centers. The new report, “Pregnancy Centers Stand the Test of Time,” is based on national survey data provided by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and other pregnancy center networks, including Care Net and Heartbeat International. The data in this report quantifies the tremendous impact of pregnancy centers in America.
“Pregnancy centers and medical clinics exist to empower mothers to choose life. They provide invaluable education as well as physical, medical, emotional and financial support,” said Anne O’Connor, NIFLA Vice President of Legal Affairs. “This report quantifies the impact of their work on a national scale. Pregnancy centers provide these services at no cost, saving communities across the nation millions in tax dollars annually. All Americans, regardless of political orientation, can agree that pregnancy centers provide welcome essential resources during times of uncertainty.”
###
Key findings in the report include:
2,700 pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide served almost two million people in 2019, at an estimated value of nearly $270 million.
These are some of the vital services typically provided at virtually no charge:
Almost 732,000 pregnancy tests
More than 486,000 free ultrasounds
160,200 STI/STD tests
More than 291,000 clients attended parenting and prenatal education programs
More than 21,000 clients received after-abortion support
Nearly 1.3 million packs of diapers
More than two million baby outfits
Personnel facts:
68,832 workers serve pregnancy centers, including nearly 3,800 licensed medical staff (25% of paid staff)
Eight in 10 (53,855) of these workers are volunteers, including more than 6,400 licensed medical volunteers (12% of total volunteers)
Over 10,000 licensed medical workers provide care, as staff and volunteers
More...
No life left behind – Pregnancy help community at the forefront of serving human trafficking victims
Friday | October 16, 2020
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications and Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pregnancy help community at the forefront of serving human trafficking victims
How pregnancy help centers are meeting this crucial need
Columbus, OH: Do you think you know the full range of assistance provided by your local pregnancy help center? The fact is, in the course of their day-to-day work of serving women facing unplanned pregnancy these centers have been assisting the victims of human trafficking as well.
Human trafficking is another violation of the sanctity of human life, and the awareness of this scourge is starting to catch up with its prevalence.
Pregnancy help centers are in a unique position to make a difference through the services they provide and partnerships they already have established in their communities.
Experts say traffickers often bring their victims to pregnancy centers for free pregnancy ultrasounds and to avoid hospital emergency rooms.
One study found of human trafficking survivors that: 21.2 percent got pregnant 5 times or more; 55.2 percent reported at least one abortion; and 29.9 percent reported multiple abortions.
The study further found that 87 percent of trafficked victims have had contact with a health care provider while being trafficked. Those providers can include pregnancy centers.
This makes pregnancy centers a ‘first responder’ on the front lines of this crisis.
How are they responding?
“Pregnancy help centers are vital first responders to this modern slavery,” said Heartbeat International’s Director of Ministry Services Betty McDowell, who has testified before Congress on this issue.
Heartbeat International launched the first anti-human trafficking course for pregnancy help centers two years ago and continues to assist centers in preparing to serve these individuals.
In addition to its course for pregnancy centers, Heartbeat has included human trafficking presentations at its annual pregnancy help conference, drawing upon the knowledge and experience of experts in this area.
As awareness grows, so will the need to serve them, and pregnancy help organizations stand ready to meet the need.
You can find out through Heartbeat International how pregnancy centers have the unique opportunity to serve as a key ally in helping break the cycle of human trafficking.
To schedule an interview with Betty McDowell about the life-affirming services provided to human trafficking victims by pregnancy centers and Heartbeat International’s resources that support them, call 614-885-7577.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 2,800 affiliated locations in more than 60 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Heartbeat International prays for the Supreme Court
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday | September 23, 2020
Contact: Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications and Marketing
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Heartbeat International prays for the Supreme Court
What the open seat on the highest court means for the pro-life movement
Columbus, OH: With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whoever fills the seat in the Supreme Court will have a great influence on the culture of America. Heartbeat International, the largest pro-life association of pregnancy help in the world, marks Justice Ginsburg's passing with sadness and acknowledges her contributions to advancing women’s rights, along with her historic rise to the Supreme Court.
Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, longtime Heartbeat International President, Board Chair and pro-life advocate, said:
"I pray for the repose of the soul of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and especially for her children and grandchildren who mourn her loss. For her family, her death is so personal. For me, it was personal too -- but on a very different level. On hearing the news, I was almost as stunned and 'glued to' the media as I was on January 22, 1973.”
Hartshorn, with her invaluable experience and insight having the benefit of watching the High Court over the years over her years of pro-life advocacy, reflected:
“Filling her seat in the next few weeks is crucial to turning around the results of that fateful day 47 years ago. Four of the nine current Supreme Court Justices are on record as open to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, given the appropriate case. One more Justice nominated by our sitting president now and approved by our elected Senate will change the trajectory of legal abortion in the USA and influence abortion law and attitudes around the world. What a time for prayer!"
Danielle M. White, General Counsel for Heartbeat International, remarked:
“It can certainly be said that Ruth Bader Ginsburg contributed to an America where women are welcomed in higher education and valued in the workplace. Sadly, she was under the misimpression that women’s advancement couldn’t be accomplished without pitting women against their children, particularly their unborn children. While we in the pregnancy help community remember the positive contributions she made to society, we vow to work for an America where no woman feels that she must choose between her education or career and the life of her unborn child. We hope that the Justice to take her seat will recognize the rights of both the mother and her unborn child.”
Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International President, added:
"Ginsburg's legacy will forever be one of a talented advocate and tenacious liberal. She helped anchor the liberal voting bloc for the better part of four decades, and despite her stated qualms with the weakness of the decision, reaffirmed Roe's grip in favor of abortion at every opportunity. Her successor needs to be equally as committed in bringing our highest court back toward its Constitutional strength, but more courageous to address flawed rulings of past courts."
To schedule an interview about Justice Ginsburg’s passing and the significance of the open Supreme Court seat for the pregnancy help community, call 614-885-7577.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 2,800 affiliated locations in more than 60 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/23/2020
Heartbeat International prays for the Supreme Court
What the open seat on the highest court means for the pro-life movement
Columbus, OH: With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whoever fills the seat in the Supreme Court will have a great influence on the culture of America. Heartbeat International, the largest pro-life association of pregnancy help in the world, marks Justice Ginsburg's passing with sadness and acknowledges her contributions to advancing women’s rights, along with her historic rise to the Supreme Court.
Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, longtime Heartbeat International President, Board Chair and pro-life advocate, said:
"I pray for the repose of the soul of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and especially for her children and grandchildren who mourn her loss. For her family, her death is so personal. For me, it was personal too -- but on a very different level. On hearing the news, I was almost as stunned and 'glued to' the media as I was on January 22, 1973.”
Hartshorn, with her invaluable experience and insight having the benefit of watching the High Court over the years over her years of pro-life advocacy, reflected:
“Filling her seat in the next few weeks is crucial to turning around the results of that fateful day 47 years ago. Four of the nine current Supreme Court Justices are on record as open to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, given the appropriate case. One more Justice nominated by our sitting president now and approved by our elected Senate will change the trajectory of legal abortion in the USA and influence abortion law and attitudes around the world. What a time for prayer!"
Danielle M. White, General Counsel for Heartbeat International, remarked:
“It can certainly be said that Ruth Bader Ginsburg contributed to an America where women are welcomed in higher education and valued in the workplace. Sadly, she was under the misimpression that women’s advancement couldn’t be accomplished without pitting women against their children, particularly their unborn children. While we in the pregnancy help community remember the positive contributions she made to society, we vow to work for an America where no woman feels that she must choose between her education or career and the life of her unborn child. We hope that the Justice to take her seat will recognize the rights of both the mother and her unborn child.”
Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International President, added:
"Ginsburg's legacy will forever be one of a talented advocate and tenacious liberal. She helped anchor the liberal voting bloc for the better part of four decades, and despite her stated qualms with the weakness of the decision, reaffirmed Roe's grip in favor of abortion at every opportunity. Her successor needs to be equally as committed in bringing our highest court back toward its Constitutional strength, but more courageous to address flawed rulings of past courts."
To schedule an interview about Justice Ginsburg’s passing and the significance of the open Supreme Court seat for the pregnancy help community, call 614-885-7577.
For more information on Heartbeat International go to HeartbeatInternational.org and find Heartbeat on Facebook and Twitter.
About Heartbeat International: Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 2,800 affiliated locations in more than 60 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Life-Saving Abortion Pill Reversal Network, Hotline, Change Hands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday | April 12, 2018
Contact: Jay Hobbs, Director of Communications and Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For the past 10-plus years, Dr. George Delgado has served as the face of the Abortion Pill Reversal Network, which has helped over 450 mothers rescue their babies from an in-progress chemical abortion.
Starting Thursday afternoon, however, the network’s 24-7 helpline and provider group is changing hands to Heartbeat International, it was announced at the final day of Heartbeat International’s 2018 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
Over 450 mothers have successfully rescued their babies—including 100 who are currently still expecting—with the life-saving Abortion Pill Reversal treatment since 2007.
“Nothing is more of an alternative to abortion than Abortion Pill Reversal,” Heartbeat International president Jor-El Godsey said. “Abortion Pill Reversal is an absolute lifeline to the very woman who needs our help most. No woman should need to finish an abortion she regrets—especially when there may be time to save her child’s life.”
In 2007, Delgado and another physician, Dr. Matthew Harrison, both utilized an FDA-approved remedy for preventing miscarriages to help women stop a chemical abortion, commonly known as the abortion pill or RU-486.
Applied up to 72 hours after a woman takes mifepristone—designed to kill a baby ahead of the second, labor-inducing pill in a chemical abortion—Abortion Pill Reversal gives a woman one last chance to choose life in a procedure that now accounts for as many as 40 percent of abortions throughout the U.S.
Under Delgado’s leadership, the network has grown to over 400 medical practitioners, while over 3,000 women have contacted its round-the-clock helpline to speak with a licensed nurse about rescuing her child.
Until the transition Thursday, Delgado had overseen the network and call center, while heading up the research that has given rise to Abortion Pill Reversal as part of his San Diego-based family practice, Culture of Family Life Services.
Now, Delgado—who released a peer-reviewed study showing as much as a 68 percent success rate a week ago—will turn his attention to further researching the medical intervention.
Meanwhile, Heartbeat International is bringing aboard the network of medical providers—more than 50 of which are pregnancy centers—as well as the licensed nurse helpline staff who will answer calls initially fielded by Heartbeat International’s 24-7 helpline, Option Line.
Answering well over 1,000 calls, live chats, emails and text messages per day, Option Line (1-800-712-HELP, OptionLine.org) recently reached its three millionth contact since launching in 2012.
“Abortion Pill Reversal has the potential to reach many more women and save many more lives,” Delgado said. “Our goal has always been to grow Abortion Pill Reversal, and by the grace of God, we’ve found a partner in Heartbeat International. We know there are many more women who need this treatment when they change their minds, and we’re confident this transition will help more mothers find that help.”
Though over 450 mothers say they have stopped their own chemical abortion and rescued their babies through Abortion Pill Reversal—and despite a growing amount of scientific evidence and agreement from abortion advocates that it is a sound medical treatment—many abortion extremists oppose Abortion Pill Reversal on ideological grounds.
In a move that effectively robs a woman of the right to try and save her child, abortion advocates have tried unsuccessfully to seize bureaucratic levers to keep nurses from learning more about the life-saving treatment.
The constant opposition falls on deaf ears for mothers like Katrina, however. As she faced an unexpected pregnancy in her senior year of college, Katrina’s boyfriend repeatedly threatened to he would kill himself if she didn’t end their child’s life through abortion.
Reluctantly, Katrina allowed her boyfriend to drive her to an abortion business, where she took a mifepristone pill, designed to kill her baby. Miraculously, her family intervened and begged her to seek help at the pregnancy help medical clinic right next door to the abortion business.
Using Abortion Pill Reversal, Katrina was able to save her son Gabriel’s life. He turns a year old this May.
“Abortion Pill Reversal empowers a woman to choose life for herself and her baby,” Godsey said. “Every mother deserves the right to protect her own child, no matter what choices she’s made in the past. We are honored to take Abortion Pill Reversal into its next season of saving lives by putting choice back into a mother’s hands.”
About Heartbeat International
Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy help organizations founded in the U.S. (1971), and the largest network in the world. With 2,500 affiliated pregnancy help locations—including pregnancy help medical clinics (with ultrasound), resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies—Heartbeat serves on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.
Heartbeat President Responds to Malicious Attack from HBO's John Oliver on Pro-Life Centers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday | April 9, 2018
Contact: Jay Hobbs, Director of Communications and Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a televised segment that has gained widespread media attention and approval since first airing Sunday night, HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver took aim at the 2,752 locally funded pro-life pregnancy help centers and ultrasound-equipped medical clinics serving women with free help in unexpected pregnancies.
Oliver spent over 20 minutes of his show slandering pregnancy centers that offer alternatives to abortions. Among his profanity-laced tirade, Oliver accused pregnancy centers of operating deceptively by choosing locations near abortion businesses and by choosing names insufficently descriptive to meet Oliver's standards.
Heartbeat International president Jor-El Godsey responded with the following comment:
It is unfortunate, though unsurprising, when abortion extremists slander the good work of pro-life pregnancy help centers. These vital, community-funded centers exist only to empower a woman to make the healthiest choice for everyone involved in an unexpected pregnancy. To some, the only legitimate action in an unexpected pregnancy is to end the child’s life through abortion, but women deserve better than abortion.
Women deserve true choice. No mother should ever feel so alone or pressured that she feels she has no choice other than abortion.
Rather than attacking Christian pro-life individuals and groups who offer women alternatives to abortion, perhaps abortion backers would do better to police their own industry, which profits from a woman’s despair by ending her child’s life through abortion.
Oliver becomes the latest comedian to devote a significant amount of airtime to lash out against pregnancy centers. In 2015, Patton Oswalt appeared on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, where the duo depicted pregnancy centers as "the ultimate hustle." That segment ended with one mother, a noted abortion activist named Cherrise Scott, saying she wished she had aborted her now 15-year-old son who she chose to carry to term after visiting a pregnancy center.
Starting last summer, Lizz Winstead -- a co-creator of Comedy Central's The Daily Show -- launched an anti-pregnancy center crusade where she and a small group of abortion advocates harass local pregnancy centers online and in person.
With as many as 99 percent of pregnancy center clients reporting a positive experience, none of the campaigns have gained traction, particularly among pregnancy center clients, who primarily hear about centers through word of mouth.
