Choose Your Conference Adventure: Your Stay, Your Style!

This year, our Heartbeat Conference is taking you on an adventure—one that begins with choosing your perfect home base just steps from the Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC)!

Heartbeat has secured special room blocks at three unique hotels, each offering its own vibe and personality—ranging from classic sophistication to modern calm. All are within an easy 6-minute walk to the DECC, with rates from $185–$189 (single/double) plus tax.

Note: Your exclusive Heartbeat hotel booking links will be provided in your registration confirmation email.

Option 1: Timeless Elegance Option 2: Modern Serenity Option 3: Close & Comfortable

Option 1: The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza – “Step into Timeless Elegance”

3-minute walk to the DECC
If you love stories, history, and old-world charm, the Hilton Netherland Plaza will sweep you off your feet. Built in the 1920s, this Art Deco treasure exudes glamour—from its grand lobby to its glowing chandeliers. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another era (and maybe spot Gatsby at the elevator). It’s elegant, full of character, and just a short stroll from the action.

Discover the Hilton Netherland Plaza

Option 2: The Westin Cincinnati – “Recharge in Modern Serenity”

6-minute walk to the DECC
Craving calm amidst the conference buzz? The Westin is your wellness haven. Chic, fresh, and designed with relaxation in mind, it’s perfect for those who value a peaceful retreat after a full day of training and connection. Think soft lighting, cozy beds, and that signature Westin calm to recharge your body and spirit.

Explore the Westin Cincinnati

Option 3: The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati – “Stay Close and Comfortable”

1-minute walk to the DECC
For those who like to hit snooze and still make it to the morning keynote on time—this one’s for you! The Hyatt Regency offers the ultimate convenience with modern comfort and professional polish. Expect a clean, contemporary feel and all the familiar amenities that make business travel a breeze. Think: sleek spaces, cozy beds, and a short jaunt to get to sessions.

Learn more about the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

Whichever adventure you choose, you’ll be in the heart of it all—steps from the sessions, fellowship, and inspiration
that make Heartbeat’s Annual Conference unforgettable.

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Two Margarets, Two Legacies: A Stark Contrast in the Battle for Life

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Heartbeat International

History often gives us striking juxtapositions—stories of two individuals whose lives draw sharp lines between competing worldviews. Such is the case with Margaret Sanger and Margaret (Peggy) Hartshorn—two women who each left a profound mark on the conversation surrounding human life, but whose values and visions could not be more different.

Margaret vs Margaret

Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger (1879–1966), founder of what would eventually become Planned Parenthood, championed birth control and population control in the early 20th century. To many, she is portrayed as a pioneer of women’s “reproductive freedom.” But a closer look reveals troubling roots. Sanger’s worldview placed autonomy and self-determination above the sanctity of life itself. In her eyes, life was negotiable, especially the lives of those she deemed “unfit.”

Sanger openly promoted eugenics —the belief that the human race could be improved by discouraging the reproduction of people with what she deemed as having undesirable traits. Her writings and public statements often linked birth control with the goal of “weeding out the unfit,” and she advocated for policies that would limit births among the poor, the disabled, and minority populations. Rather than cherishing every life as sacred and worthy of dignity, Sanger viewed many lives as burdens to be eliminated or prevented.

Her movement was built on the premise that women could only be free if they were no longer bound by the possibility of motherhood. Liberation, in her mind, meant separation from the natural gift of life. The results of that philosophy are seen today in a culture where abortion is often promoted as empowerment, and where the value of life is weighed against convenience, cost, or circumstance.

Margaret (Peggy) Hartshorn

In contrast stands Margaret (Peggy) Hartshorn, a name less known in the mainstream but revered in the movement to protect life. As the longtime leader of Heartbeat International, Peggy Hartshorn has spent her life affirming the value of every human being, born and unborn, by building and strengthening a global network of pregnancy help centers that offer real choices to women in crisis.

Where Sanger championed the ideology of self over others, Peggy has quietly lived out a gospel of sacrificial love. She and her husband began by opening their own home to pregnant women in need, embodying the belief that true freedom for a woman doesn’t come from ending a pregnancy—but from being surrounded by people who will walk with her in love.

That foundational belief led Peggy to develop what is now known as the LOVE Approach, a simple yet profound model of care embraced by thousands of pregnancy help organizations around the world. The acronym LOVE stands for Listen and Learn, Open Options, Vision and Value, and Extend and Empower, a framework rooted in compassion, practical help, and unwavering respect for the woman and her child. This approach doesn’t just provide alternatives to abortion; it offers a path to hope, healing, and a future filled with possibility.

Peggy's legacy is one of hope and healing. Under her leadership, Heartbeat International has equipped pregnancy help organizations in over 100 countries to offer ultrasounds, maternity housing, post-abortion healing, and life-affirming care. Her vision values both mother and child, recognizing the inherent worth in every person regardless of age, ability, race, or circumstances.

Yet her legacy isn’t only global—it’s deeply personal. To meet Peggy in person is to experience the sanctity of life firsthand. The genuine kindness in her voice, the warmth in her eyes, and the patient attention she gives to each individual testify to the deep-rooted conviction that every life matters. There is no pretense in her advocacy—no hint of agenda or performative concern. She lives the pro-life message with every handshake, every conversation, every act of grace. Peggy’s presence alone affirms the truth that life is sacred, not in theory, but in each person we encounter.

Two Margarets. Two Movements. Two Moral Compasses.

Margaret Sanger’s legacy continues today in the abortion industry, a system built on fear, control, and the belief that some lives are disposable. In just one year, Planned Parenthood performed over 402,000 abortions across the U.S., according to its 2023–2024 Annual Report. That’s more than 1,100 unborn lives lost every single day.

In a powerful and providential contrast, Heartbeat International answers roughly 1,100 calls a day through its 24/7 Option Line—a helpline offering women compassionate, life-affirming support the moment they need it most. One movement ends life. The other answers the call to save it.

The difference in daily impact is staggering—and it’s no coincidence. The leaders behind each movement shaped these outcomes. Sanger laid the foundation for a culture of death, masked in the language of rights and autonomy. Peggy Hartshorn built a legacy of love, rooted in the unshakable belief that no one should have to face pregnancy alone, and no life is beyond value.

What Sanger’s movement ends, Peggy’s movement nurtures. Where Planned Parenthood sees a problem to solve, Peggy sees a person to love.

Even Planned Parenthood has attempted to distance itself from Sanger’s eugenic roots, removing her name from its Manhattan facility. Yet no amount of rebranding can undo the consequences of a philosophy that devalues life at its most vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Peggy Hartshorn’s legacy continues to grow, not just in buildings or programs, but in families restored, babies born, and women empowered with the truth that they are never alone.

The contrast is clear: one woman spent her life encouraging the world to live for self and to deny the value of lives deemed inconvenient. The other has spent her life defending the dignity of all life and serving those in need with courage and compassion.

In a culture still wrestling with the question of what it means to be free, the story of these two Margarets reminds us that true freedom is not found in rejecting life, but in embracing it.

__________________________________________________________

Join Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, as she interviews Margaret (Peggy) Hartshorn, former President and Chairwoman of Heartbeat International. Together, they explore Peggy’s remarkable 50-year legacy in the pregnancy help movement and reflect on the powerful contrast between two Margarets: one who promoted ending life and one who dedicated her life to protecting it.

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2025 Pregnancy Help European Summit - Online Brochure

Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit Banner

Open this page in Google Chrome to use Google Translate! Click here to download Google Chrome on your device!

Welcome!

We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Singapore, the location of Heartbeat International’s 1st Pan-Asian Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit. You are in for a treat to be with over 45 other life-affirming leaders!

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and remains the largest and most expansive network in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened, and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 4,000 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational, Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Our Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so abortion is unthinkable.

Our 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.

Tatum

Tatum Cole is a registered nurse specializing in women’s health, with five years of experience providing compassionate, life-affirming care. She currently serves as an APR (Abortion Pill Reversal) Hotline Nurse with Heartbeat International, where she supports women navigating urgent and complex pregnancy decisions.

Previously, Tatum was the Nurse Manager at Hope First in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she led clinical services including pregnancy testing, STD testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, and abortion pill reversal care. Her work reflects a strong
commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered support.

Tatum holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Appalachian State University. As a military spouse since 2012, she brings a global perspective to her work, currently living and serving overseas.

Johanna

Johanna Durairaj, a devoted wife to her Indian husband and a mother of five, began her journey toward natural birth following her initial C-section delivery with her first child. Drawing from her own personal experiences and driven by a passion for empowering pregnant mothers, Johanna has dedicated over a decade of her life to actively serving and assisting pregnant women. In 2011, while accompanying a pregnant mother to the hospital, Johanna confronted the limitations of the healthcare system. It was at this moment that the idea of a natural birthing home took root in her heart. Johanna’s mission is to create a space where families can embrace parenthood with beauty, respect, and the dignity they deserve. As a La Leche certified lactational consultant, she also offers expertise to support and guide mothers on their breastfeeding journey. She and her husband direct Life for All in Coimbatore, India.

Ellen

Ellen Foell, J.D., serves as the International Program Specialist for Heartbeat International, where she supports around 1,500 affiliates in more than 100 countries. With a background in law and ministry, Ellen first joined Heartbeat as Legal Counsel. After a season of writing and nonprofit advocacy, she returned to Heartbeat to focus on global outreach, offering training, mentorship, and strategic support to pregnancy help organizations. Ellen has represented Heartbeat at the United Nations, and her work has taken her to countries worldwide. A dedicated wife and mother of four, Ellen brings a heart for missions, years of cross-cultural ministry experience, and a deep commitment to life-affirming care around the globe.

Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International, the largest affiliation network of pregnancy help organizations in the world serving nearly 4,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Jor-El leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders serving in Heartbeat affiliated life-affirming pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. Jor-El oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to reach and rescue lives at-risk for abortion through far-reaching programs that include Option Line and Abortion Pill Rescue Network.

Melissa

Melissa Heiland is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 13. She holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Central Missouri. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Feet International, a mission organization that starts international pregnancy centers. Beautiful Feet has over 200 pregnancy ministries in over 40 nations. Melissa is an author, speaker, and missionary. She has written a training manual for pregnancy centers, a curriculum for pregnancy centers, and devotionals for new and pregnant moms, as well as devotionals for mission teams. Her passion is teaching others to share the Gospel and to protect life. www.BeautifulFeetInternational.com

Jennifer

Jennifer Heng is passionate about building a culture of life in Singapore and Asia. She is the Director and Founder of Safe Place, an initiative that empowers women with unsupported pregnancies to make life-giving choices. Her strong communication and leadership skills, as well as a passion for building a culture of Life enable her to increase the impact of her work and role. She tells her own inspiring life story in her book “Walking Out of Secret Shame.”

Wade

Wade Kim is currently the Welfare Director of Women’s Hope Center in Korea. He has been with WHC since March 2017.

Juli

Juli Sharpe is the CEO of Genesis Pregnancy Support Inc, and has been involved with Genesis for 20 years, originally as a counselor and then as a teacher. She is a delegate to the International Conference on Pregnancy Support in the US. 3 children and 5 grandchildren in her family.

Juli

Dr. Roopa Verghese is an obstetrician-gynecologist and bioethicist with extensive experience in both clinical practice and ethical leadership. She completed her graduation and post-graduation at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, followed by master’s degrees in Sweden and at Trinity International University in Chicago. She currently serves with the Emmanuel Hospital Association, a network of 20 hospitals serving rural communities across North and Northeast India. Based in Chattarpur, Dr. Verghese is the Medical Superintendent and Senior Consultant, providing both medical care and organizational leadership. In addition, she is the Executive Director of the Center for Bioethics India, where she leads initiatives to advance ethical reflection and practice in healthcare. An accomplished author, Dr. Verghese has written five books on obstetrics, gynecology, and bioethics. She also shares her reflections through her personal blog and podcast, Life in Introspection.

She is married to Dr. Jewel Jagan Jacob, an anesthetist and critical care physician, whom she describes as her partner in every venture. Together, they are blessed with a daughter, Jeroosha, who is currently in Class 11.

Leandro Dela Cruz

A few details to make the Summit an enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Please be on time for all sessions.

• You must wear your Summit badge for entry to the dining area.

• Thursday afternoon, you will have an option to tour our host center, aLife. Thereafter, you will have time to tour Singapore. Dinner will be on your own on Thursday and Friday.

We are glad you are part of the Heartbeat family.
At this Summit, we are pleased to welcome representatives from several nations around the world!

Wednesday
1500	Check In
1700	Registration in Lobby
1800	Welcome
1815	Host Center Welcome and Prayer
1830	Dinner

Thursday
0700	Breakfast
0930	Devotions
1000	Keynote
1045	Break
1115	Introduction of Attending Organizations
1300	Host Center Introduction, Welcome and Prayer
1330	Lunch
1500	Tour of aLife
1730	Return to Hotel from aLife
	Dinner on your own or with new friends

Friday
0700	Breakfast
0930	Devotions
1000	Keynote
1115	Plenary Session APR
1300	Lunch
1430	Workshop A - Donor Outreach
	Workshop B - Maternity Home Panel
1530	Break
1600	Workshop C - The Role of Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
	in Pregnancy Help Outreach
	Workshop D - Helplines: From Setup to Answering the Call
1730	Dinner on your own

Saturday
0700	Breakfast
0930	Devotions
1000	Keynote
1045	Break
1115	Workshop E - The LOVE Approach
	Workshop F - Finding and Retaining Volunteers
1215	Closing Comments
1330	Lunch/Dismissal

For affiliation services and questions, please contact
Ellen Foell, J.D., International Program Specialist at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
whatsapp/signal +1(614)302-3664

• International Posts
• About Affiliation With Us
• International News

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PHAW 2025

PHAW 2025 Page Banner

What is Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week?

Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week was designed by Heartbeat International to honor those working within the pregnancy help movement. Through their work, women and men receive the compassionate support they need when facing a life-changing decision. They walk alongside families throughout the pregnancy and beyond, blessing them with pregnancy tests, emotional support, ultrasounds, parenting classes, and so much more at no cost.

From volunteers to executive directors, nurses to receptionists, each person working in a pregnancy help organization has been gifted with the passion to advance the culture of LIFE! And for that, we thank you!

How you can thank a Pregnancy Help Foot Soldier:

Pray. The emotional energy given by those who work in the pregnancy help movement is extreme. They give of themselves daily. Pray for spiritual refreshment for those who go into the center today.
Volunteer. Connect with your local pregnancy help organization and see what their needs are. You may have just the right skills to fill a need.
Donate items. Call your local pregnancy help organization and ask them what items they need to bless a new mother (such as diapers or maternity clothes) and start collecting. Not only will you bless a center, you will bless multiple families as well.
Give. Without the generous donations of those within the community, pregnancy centers would not be able to provide their services for free.
Share the love. Share the good work of the pregnancy help community with your social networks. Don't know what to post? Like Heartbeat International on Facebook and/or Instagram and you'll find plenty to share!

If you haven't heard of Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week before, you should expect special deals, thank-you messages, and extra prayers this week.

Plus! We'll be holding a drawing at the end of the week where one lucky winner will get a fun gift basket from us at Heartbeat!

Daily Devotion

Today, hear a word of encouragement from Lauri Campbell, Affiliation Coordinator.

Shareables text

Click on each image to view the full-sized version. Then, save it to your device and share it on Facebook, Instagram, or post on X to show your love for the pregnancy help movement using the hashtag #ThankAPregnancyCenter

Daily Deals

A deal we shared on Wednesday was replaced with "Case Review: Who Chooses Adoption?" This deal is now available through Thursday!

Monday

*Price is per registrant.

Tuesday

*Price is per registrant.

Wednesday

*Price is per registrant.

Thursday

*Price is per registrant.

Friday

*Price is per registrant.

Enter the Drawing

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Conference Marketing 2026

At this time, our Exhibit Hall is full. Please click the button above and join our waitlist should a space open up.

March 25–27, 2026 | Cincinnati, OH

Exhibit or Sponsor with Heartbeat International

Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of pregnancy help leaders in the world, offering exceptional education, inspiration, and networking opportunities. Each year, thousands of leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers from pregnancy help centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, adoption agencies, and related fields come together to learn and grow in their life-affirming mission.

Your products and services play a vital role in strengthening the work of these ministries. By exhibiting or sponsoring at the Heartbeat Conference—either in person or virtually—you have the opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers who are eager for the tools and resources that help them serve women and families with excellence.

Why Exhibit?

Access to 1,500+ leaders and decision-makers in the pregnancy help community.
Seamless lead generation through our Conference App, allowing you to capture attendee information instantly by scanning QR codes on name badges.
Dual exposure: In-person exhibitors also receive a customizable Virtual Exhibit Space, giving you visibility to both on-site and virtual attendees.
Extended reach: The Virtual Conference remains open for 21 days post-event, so your presence continues long after the conference concludes.
Virtual-only option available for those unable to attend on-site, with tools to showcase videos, brochures, answer questions, and host giveaways.

What is the difference between exhibiting and sponsoring?

Exhibit: An exhibit booth is an excellent way to showcase your products and services directly to Conference attendees. It provides visibility, personal interaction, and the opportunity to connect face-to-face with leaders and decision-makers in the pregnancy help movement. Exhibitors can share resources, demonstrate solutions, and build relationships with those who can benefit most from their offerings.

Sponsor: Sponsorship goes beyond exhibiting. Every sponsorship level includes exhibit space, but sponsorship is also an investment in the Conference itself. Sponsors help keep registration costs affordable for attendees serving on the frontlines of pregnancy help, ensuring more leaders can be trained, equipped, and encouraged. Because of this deeper investment, sponsorships come with added benefits such as expanded brand recognition, prime placement in promotional materials, additional networking opportunities, and other perks designed to maximize visibility and impact.

Click here to learn more

Faithful Friends

Exhibitors who have partnered with us in person for at least the past five consecutive conferences are recognized as Faithful Friends. This honor comes with exclusive opportunities when registering to exhibit at our Annual Conference. Check your email for your Faithful Friend ID and input it on the registration form below to unlock exclusive deals.

Marketing Opportunities

Want to maximize your presence? Beyond your exhibit space, we offer creative marketing options such as Program Ads, Conference Commercials, Literature Packet Inserts, and more. These opportunities ensure your message reaches attendees in multiple ways throughout the event.

Why It Matters

It is thanks to the support of our Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Marketing Partners that we can keep training costs low for those serving directly on the frontlines of pregnancy help. Your partnership equips leaders and teams to be more effective in their life-saving, life-changing work.

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Maternity Housing Field Guide

This field guide equips maternity home leaders with practical tools, trauma-informed insights, and proven strategies to strengthen care, support residents, and lead with lasting impact.

ORDER NOW Learn More

Six Sections Included

The guide is structured by topic for quick reference with thoughtful organization for maternity housing leaders. Each section includes in-depth insights and education, experiences, and resources for a wide array of maternity housing needs and resident circumstances.

Staffing & Operations

Resident Care & Support

Medical & Clinical Issues

Community & Cultural Competence

Family, Media, & Society

Program Models

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How To Use This Guide

Once you order your copy of the Field Guide, you may download it and share it with your team, or print it out as a go-to resource to complement the Maternity Housing Essentials Manual.

There are key icons and callout boxes throughout the Guide highlighting important notes or additional resources.

White Papers are marked at the top with a paper icon. These have been previously published on our website as a complimentary benefit for affiliates only.

To ensure we continually offer fresh, relevant content, this Guide is updated annually. Updates may include additional articles, white papers, or helpful resources, as well as updating existing pages as needed.

Within each chapter contains a blue sidebar for additional resources and links pertaining to the chapter and maternity housing.

Don't forget to visit our Yellow Page for our contact information and more!

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Special Thank You

Special TY Text HFF

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MHC Regional Event - VA

MHC Logo

MHC Regional Events VA

Co-hosted by MHC & Mary’s Choice RVA Maternity Home

Join us for our next regional event for maternity housing organizations!

WHERE

St. Michael Lake House
4491 Springfiled Rd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060

WHEN

Thursday, August 28, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and networking

Lunch provided.

Tagged under

Pregnancy Help Playbook

NEW! PREGNANCY HELP PLAYBOOK

Created to cast vision and spark ideas, this Playbook will serve as a practical resource for all aspects of your pregnancy help organization. Whether you're leading a center, working directly with clients, or serving in support roles, this Playbook is designed to help your team thrive in its mission to serve women, protect life, and build a culture of hope.

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Features

checkmark 100+ Pages

checkmark Customizable

checkmark Digital Download

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Sections Included

Operations Reception Development Social Media Marketing

Media Plan Church Connections Resources Support

Add-Ons Available!

Perfect for specific services, these add-ons complement the Playbook as your one-stop organizing tool.

Click on each add-on to learn more!

How to Use

Share with care according to your Policies & Procedures. Use (print or save digitally) only the pages you need, and nothing you don’t. This is yours to customize for your organization's needs.

Programs for digital use: Type in fields using Adobe Acrobat Reader, or Adobe Acrobat's online PDF editor (free version) on your desktop or tablet. Click on the Edit tab in the top menu, then click on Text in the left sidebar to add text. You may complete forms and save them to your organization's intranet or private drive. Ensure to follow your current Policies & Procedures.

ORDER NOW