Beating cancer with adult stem cells

You don't hear much about embryonic stem cell research anymore as no cures have materialized, but advances and treatments from ethical sources of stem cells continue on.

Watch Paul Wagle's story below to learn how stem cells from an umbilical cord helped him beat cancer. 

Committee hearing on Rape Survivor Child Custody Act goes well

On May 19th, the House Criminal Justice Committee heard testimony on H.B. 4481, the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act.  Besides testimony from Right to Life of Michigan representatives and an expert from domestic violence agencies, committee members watched Shauna’s compassion project story.  

A committee vote has not yet been scheduled but it should hopefully be soon. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT H.B. 4481

Testimony on Rape Survivor Child Custody Act

Right to Life of Michigan members and the general public have been introduced to Shauna Prewitt thanks to her courageous advocacy mission and the television ad and video produced by RLM, which aired in the past several weeks on statewide TV.  Shauna's story of conceiving a child through rape and then fighting back against her attacker's effort to assert parental rights prompted the introduction of House Bill 4481 in the Lansing last month.

Already, the bill is being lined up for action in the House Criminal Justice Committee this coming Tuesday, May 19, at 9:00 a.m.

H.B. 4481 would allow a rape survivor who becomes pregnant from assault to petition the family court to terminate the parental rights of her assailant under a "clear and convincing" evidence standard and without the necessity of a criminal conviction.  Current law provides for the termination of parental rights of a man who impregnates a woman via sexual assault if he is convicted of felony rape.  Unfortunately, felony rape convictions are difficult to obtain and require a legal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt".  This bill would make the standard for termination of parental rights the same as for those who abuse or neglect their child.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY ACT

Late term abortion advocate Wendy Davis to speak at Planned Parenthood event in Michigan

Rendering of unborn baby at 20 weeks/via Baby Center

Today, abortion advocate Wendy Davis is scheduled to speak at Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan’s annual luncheon.  Davis’ claim to fame was her filibuster as a Texas state senator against a law in Texas which banned abortions after 20 weeks.

The media fell in love with her pink running shoes and she became the Democratic nominee for governor in Texas, an election she lost handily. 

Her advocacy for late term abortion won her fame and now she speaks at pro-abortion events across the country. 

Planned Parenthood is America's leading abortion provider.  Learn more about their abortion agenda. 

U.S. House passes Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

On May 13th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) by a vote of 242 to 184.  This legislation would generally ban abortion after 20 weeks of fetal age (or 22 weeks of pregnancy) based on congressional findings that unborn children of that age are capable of feeling pain.

The measure passed in a 242-to-184 vote, with one member voting present. The bill dropped a provision in the original version that would have required women who became pregnant through rape to report their assault to law enforcement authorities to be eligible for an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Under the new bill, such women would have to receive counseling or medical treatment at least 48 hours before having an abortion. In cases involving minors, abortion providers would have to alert the authorities for the girls’ protection, it says. The bill, known as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, would also make it easier to sue a noncompliant abortion provider.

FULL STORY

ROLL CALL VOTE

Let's remember vulnerable human life during the National Day of Prayer

Today, May 7, is the National Day of Prayer. The first National Day of Prayer in 1952 invited people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It is encouraging to know that every president since has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

As we keep our nation in our thoughts, let's too, remember mothers facing unplanned pregnancies and their children preparing to be born. People compose a nation.  

A mother who considers abortion has the burden of a life or death decision. May we be the help that she needs. It is important to pray for all children, born and unborn, because the future of our nation depends on it.

"I felt like I live in a society that has gone mad"

Josh Brahm, a prolife advocate and President of Equal Rights Institute, recently visited a display at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with members of his staff.  The display includes children who were miscarried at various stages of prenatal development and preserved.  In a moving blog post, Brahm describes their experiences and reactions to visiting this exhibit. 
   

My immediate emotional reaction upon entering the room was sadness. There was a seriousness to this room, and the design of the room was clearly intended to underline the seriousness of the exhibit. This isn’t a place to let your kids run free like they can at some of the other sections of the museum.

The youngest baby was only a few weeks old, and was very small. I took my time, spending several moments in front of each child. As I looked at the youngest embryos, I thought to myself that I could understand why a pro-choice person could see this part of the exhibit and still feel convinced that these early embryos aren’t morally significant. I certainly think they are, but it’s not because of the way they look. It’s because of what I believe about the nature of all humans, including the youngest of us.

It became harder for me to step into the shoes of a pro-choice person and defend abortion rights later in the exhibit though. Around the point where the baby in front of us was nine weeks old, it became clearer than anything that this is a little human, not an unorganized mass of developing tissue..... 

At Equal Rights Institute it’s a priority to us to be very careful with philosophy, and understand why the most philosophical pro-choice advocates believe what they believe. And yet, staring at these children, I felt like I live in a society that has gone mad.

FULL STORY

U.S. House votes to strike down D.C. law aimed at prolife groups

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 228-192 to nullify pro-abortion legislation passed by the District of Columbia.  The pro-abortion legislation in question could force prolife organizations in the District of Columbia to hire pro-abortion employees. 

Opponents of the local law said it would force employers like churches, religious schools and anti-abortion organizations to violate their own religious beliefs and provide contraceptive coverage to their workers. They said it could also prevent such groups from acting against employees who privately undermine their employer's mission, such as by volunteering at abortion clinics.

"I stand here to defend the rights of religious institutions and pro-life companies to honor their faith and respect the sanctity of life," said Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo.

FULL STORY
  
ROLL CALL
     
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE LETTER TO LAWMAKERS

National Right to Life urges Congress to pass H. J. Res. 43, prolife groups shouldn’t be forced to hire pro-abortion activists

National Right to Life Committee is urging members of Congress to vote in favor of H.J. Res. 43 which would nullify pro-abortion legislation passed by the District of Columbia.  The pro-abortion legislation in question could force prolife organizations in the District of Columbia to hire pro-abortion employees. 

In a letter to legislators, National Right to Life’s legislative team writes:

The RHNDA prohibits employers within the District from engaging in "discrimination" on the basis of "decisions" reached by employees, or potential employees, regarding "reproductive health" matters.  It is not disputed that abortion is among the matters encompassed by the term "reproductive health" as used in the new law.  The scope of the RHNDA is very broad, covering any "decisions" that are "related to the use . . . of a particular . . . medical service . . ." [emphasis added]

The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) advocates for recognition that each unborn child is a member of the human family, and that each abortion stops a beating heart and ends the life of a developing human being.  That viewpoint is shared by many women who once believed otherwise and submitted to abortions, and by many men who once believed otherwise and were complicit in abortion; such persons number among the most committed activists within our organization and other pro-life organizations.  Yet it would be intolerable for an advocacy organization such as ours to be required to hire, or prohibited from firing, a person who makes a "decision" to engage in advocacy or any other activity that is directly antithetical to our core mission to lawfully advocate for the civil rights of the unborn. 

Under the RHNDA, using any "decision . . . related to" abortion to inform decisions about hiring, firing, or benefits (among other things) would expose our organization both to enforcement actions by the District government bureaucracy, and to private lawsuits (some of which would likely be engendered by "sting" operations by pro-abortion advocates).

FULL LETTER

LEARN MORE

New job opening at Right to Life of Michigan

At Right to Life of Michigan we have a new job opening for Director of Communication/Education. Applications are due by May 7.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity at our web site.

Trafficking legislation passes U.S. Senate without abortion funding after Democrats finally end disgraceful filibuster

After spending a month attempting to allow federal funds to be used to pay for elective abortions, Senate Democrats agreed to end their filibuster of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and allow a vote on the legislation. The agreement prevents federal funds for being used to pay for abortions and retains Hyde Amendment language in the legislation. 

Democrats repeatedly blocked an earlier version of the proposal, arguing it would create an expansion of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of federal funds for abortions.

The deal that resolved the stalemate requires money for the victims’ fund to come from two sources: criminal fines and money that Congress previously appropriated.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) touted the vote as a win for Republicans and anti-abortion groups, saying that under the agreement, the trafficking legislation “won’t violate longstanding, bipartisan Hyde precedent.”

Republicans also shot down a last-ditch effort by Democrats to strip the abortion provisions from the legislation, which if successful would likely have killed the bill.

FULL STORY

Reported Abortions Increase for 2014

Two Dynamics: Chemical Abortions and Women from Other States Coming to Michigan

Data released by the Michigan Department of Community Health showed an increase in the number of reported abortions performed in 2014. A total of 27,629 induced abortions were reported in Michigan in 2014, which was a 5.8 percent increase from the total of 26,120 reported in 2013 but a 43.7 percent decrease since 1987 (the year with the largest number of induced abortions).

Chemical abortions (non-surgical) increased in 2014. In 2014, 6,935 chemical abortions were committed which is up from the 5,103 committed in 2013.

Michigan residents received 95.3 percent of the induced abortions that occurred in Michigan in 2014. The data shows an increase in the number of women from other states coming to Michigan for abortions; in 2013 there were 708 non-Michigan residents who had abortions and in 2014 that number increased to 1,317.

The trend of declining abortions committed on girls under the age of 18 continued. In 1990, 3,820 abortions on minors were reported. The reported figure for 2014 is 917. This represents a 76 percent decrease since 1990.

No matter what the procedure or where the mothers come from to have an abortion, we are deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives. While the overall trend of decreasing abortions is encouraging, this year’s increase and the annual overall numbers serve as a reminder that our prolife efforts must continue - lives depend on us.

Links:

Michigan Department of Community Health 2014 - Abortions Reported in Michigan

Michigan Department of Community Health 2014 - Abortions by County of Residence

Illinois abortion clinic kills woman and gets out of fine by changing one word in their name

In 2009, Antonesha Ross died after receiving an abortion at Women's Aid Clinic in Illinois.  In an effort to get out of paying a state fine for one of their patients dying and the deplorable conditions at the clinic, the abortion clinic changed their name to Women's Aid Center. Unfortunately, a group of judges is letting the clinic off the hook. 

The clinic owner, Larisa Rozansky, has argued that the Women's Aid Clinic, which filed for bankruptcy before closing in 2011, has no money to pay the fine and that her new clinic, the Women's Aid Center, is an entirely separate entity that cannot be held responsible......

The Illinois Department of Public Health challenged that interpretation, pointing out that the new clinic has two of the same phone numbers as the old clinic and that for a while it had the same website and location. The state sought $3,135 held in the new clinic's bank accounts, arguing that the money could be traced to the old clinic.

The old clinic was fined $9,000 for failing to specify in writing which medical conditions would make a patient ineligible for an abortion, a violation stemming from the care of Ross, who died of severe pneumonia a few hours after a first-trimester abortion. The clinic was also fined $18,000 for failing to hire a registered nurse to supervise care and circulate in the operating room, and $9,000 for sanitary and equipment issues.

FULL STORY

Mother's Day and Father's Day Bulletin Inserts and Bookmarks now available

Bulletin Inserts: 7¢ each

Bookmarks: 10¢ each

Order your bulletin inserts and bookmarks today for Mother's Day
(May 10) and Father's Day (June 21). Supplies are limited.

Click to view and order the 5.5" x 8.5" Love Is bulletin inserts featuring 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and the 2" x 6" bookmarks featuring poems thanking Mom and Dad for life.

Retired abortionist left thousands of patients records at abandoned clinic

Infamous Michigan abortionist Alberto Hodari is coming under fire again after it was discovered that he unlawfully left thousands of patient files unattended at this former abortion clinic in Flint. 

According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs records, Hodari is no longer licensed to practice as a physician.

When he closed down the Feminine Health Care Clinic in 2013, he abandoned hundreds of boxes filled with very private patient information.

ABC12 News talked a pro life activist who went into the facility earlier this month.

"The door opened and for me, the rest is history. It was all right there," she said.

She said when she looked inside, she saw hundreds of boxes of medical records, papers scattered all over the floor and piles of hypodermic needles.

FULL STORY

New prolife TV ads hit airwaves in Michigan

Starting this week, two new prolife television ads will begin airing across Michigan. 

One ad is part of the compassion project and features Shauna sharing her story of being raped and conceiving her daughter. 

"The best way I really can describe being raped, it's really like a death. We live in a culture where children who are conceived in rape are still spoken of in terms of an animal's child, a monster's child. She's wiped away my tears when she didn't understand why I was crying and has just been with me through the darkness." -- Shauna



You can also watch Shauna’s full story here.

The second ad, Daffodil, features a poem from an unwed mother who considers the pain of a past abortion experienced in springtime.

Congressman Walberg calls for Senate Democrats to end filibuster of human trafficking legislation

Congressman Tim Walberg recently wrote an editorial for the Jackson Citizen Patriot on a bill to help victims of human trafficking which has stalled because abortion advocates want it to include funding for abortion. 

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was another of the 12 bills. The legislation includes several provisions to curb human trafficking, including boosting services for victims and enhancing the ability of law enforcement to further crack down on both buyers and sellers in the sex trafficking industry.

Sadly, progress stalled in the Senate last week because of the type of political maneuvering that frustrates so many, myself included.

Some Democratic Senators claimed language in the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act that prevents taxpayer-funded abortion -- also known as the Hyde Amendment and previously enacted into law -- is the reason for filibustering this much-needed legislation.

Never mind the fact the exact same language was included when a dozen Democratic Senators decided to co-sponsor the bill and when it was unanimously passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

FULL EDITORIAL

How supporting assisted suicide encourages some to think they have a duty to die

At First Things, Wesley J. Smith writes about the danger of supporting the suicides of family and friends.

Is it right or wrong to support a loved one’s suicide? This seems to be one of those issues, increasingly prevalent in our society, about which debate is not possible: The answer depends on one’s overarching worldview. Some will believe that their duty is to support their family member’s choice, come what may. Others, including this writer, believe that supporting suicide is an abandonment that validates loved ones’ worst fears about themselves—that they are a burden, unworthy of love, or truly better off dead.

Either way, there is no question that family backing for suicide furthers the normalization of hastened death as a proper response to human suffering. Such normalization, over time, will put increasing pressure on those coping with the infirmities of age and with the debilitations of serious illnesses and disabilities to view their suicides as not only a suitable approach, but perhaps even as an obligation to those they love.

FULL STORY

Despicable filibuster continues at behest of abortion lobby

The editors at the National Review have written about Senate Democrats' decision to filibuster a bill to help sex trafficking victims because the bill doesn’t include abortion funding.

The abortion lobby commands vast amounts of campaign money and other political resources, and Democrats are taking the opportunity to reiterate their fealty to the peculiar breed of monomania that inflicts organizations such as EMILY’s List and NARAL, the latter of which cares so very much about abortion that it excised the word from its name for marketing purposes.

There are thousands of people, overwhelmingly women, who have been brought to this country by human traffickers and are being held as virtual slaves, often (but not exclusively) for the purpose of forcing them into prostitution. These are human beings reduced to the condition of meat, and they need many kinds of help – and the only thing that Harry Reid et al. care about is whether they are eligible under the law for a publicly financed abortion.

This is a ghastly elevation of politics over basic human decency. Specifically, it is an indefensible elevation of Harry Reid’s political interests over those of the most vulnerable among us.

FULL EDITORIAL

Choose Life license plate legislation passes the Michigan Senate

By a 26-11 vote, legislation to create a "Choose Life" specialty plate in Michigan was approved by the Michigan Senate today. The legislation now moves on to the Michigan House. 

Funds generated by the sale of “Choose Life” plates in Michigan will be directed to the Choose Life Michigan fund. The board of the nonprofit prolife committee, Choose Life Michigan, will then disperse the money to organizations that submit grant proposals for specific abortion prevention projects.

The state Senate has approved a bill that would allow for the sale of license plates as a fundraiser for Choose Life Michigan.

Senators voted 26-11 along party lines Wednesday to approve the bill, which would collect a $25 donation for buyers of the license plate. The $25 would go to the Choose Life Fund, backed by Right to Life Michigan.

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION

Senate Democrats Block Human Trafficking Bill

Today, Democratic U.S. senators voted to block the Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act because it did not include abortion funding.  
   

The Senate voted 55-43 to end debate on an amended version of the bill, falling short of the 60 votes needed for the measure to advance. A second vote to end debate on the underlying bill also failed to muster the necessary votes. In both cases, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., changed his vote to "no" — a procedural move that allows him to bring the bill up again later.

Four Democratic senators sided with Republicans: Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

McConnell warned Democrats before the vote that they would suffer political consequences if they blocked the bill.

"If Democrats actually vote to filibuster a bill to help victims of modern-day slavery, I can't imagine the American people will forget," he said, calling the filibuster "a historic mistake."

Michigan’s U.S. senators (Senator Gary Peters and Senator Debbie Stabenow) both voted against helping victims of human trafficking.  Senator Peters signed on as a co-sponsor of this legislation less than two weeks ago but voted against the legislation because it didn’t include abortion funding. 


FULL STORY

MORE INFORMATION

Story of leaving abortion clinic and choosing life prompts others to share

Kimberly Henderson became an internet sensation when a video of her singing her daughter Vaida to sleep went viral.  Currently, it has been viewed on YouTube more than 4 million times. 

Over the weekend, Kimberly shared on Facebook how she waited in an abortion clinic for 7 hours before walking out and choosing life for Vaida. 

Two years ago today I was sitting in an abortion clinic thinking not having Vaida was best for me.

People remember dates for birthdays, and anniversaries. Well this date is forever burned in my brain. It's a day that I will remember and I remember every single detail of that day. I think that is Gods way of showing me that HIS plan is and will always be greater and bigger than anything and everything I've ever known.

I sat in the abortion clinic for nearly 7 hours. I remember wearing a pink t shirt that was soaking wet from crying. Below is my post from that day and I remember crying the entire time I was writing it. I hope that by sharing this that it touches someone.

In response to her post, more than 100 other individuals who contemplated abortion have shared their stories of choosing life for their children (often sharing pictures as well).

READ THE REST AT KIMBERLY’S FACEBOOK POST

HT: Live Action News

Abortion Extremists: Senate Democrats threaten to block human trafficking bill if it doesn’t allow abortions to be funded

In one of the more disgraceful political maneuvers of the year, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and his democratic colleagues in the U.S. Senate are threatening to block a vote on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 unless it allows funds in the bill to be used to pay for abortions.
            
Among other items, the bill increases penalties on perpetrators of human trafficking, increases compensation for victims of human trafficking, and allows the Department of Justice to provide grants to develop or expand programs to deter human trafficking. 

The bill was introduced on January 13 of this year and currently has 32 co-sponsors including 12 Democrats, including Michigan’s Gary Peters who signed on as a co-sponsor on March 4.  This was truly a bi-partisan bill as numerous Democratic senators voiced their support for the bill on the Senate floor on March 4 and the bill was voted out of committee unanimously. 

Earlier this week and nearly two months after the bill was introduced, the Democrats noticed the bill includes a provision (similar to the long-standing Hyde Amendment) which says the funding in the bill cannot be used to pay for abortions. 

That’s when Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and his colleagues first threatened and then promised to prevent a vote on the legislation unless it allowed funds to be used to pay for abortions.

The events presented a difficult challenge for Democrats, forcing them to decide if their support for abortion rights justified blocking passage of a sex trafficking measure designed to help children and women. They privately conceded they lacked the votes to strip out the abortion portion of the bill they oppose, although they expressed confidence they had enough support to prevent passage of the entire measure.

At the same time, they were forced to consider whether their aides had failed to read the bill closely enough to discover the provision when the bill was made public in January, or when it was approved unanimously in the Senate Judiciary Committee late last month.

 
Please contact Michigan’s two U.S. Senators (Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Gary Peters) and urge them to allow a vote on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Victims of human trafficking need help and support, not abortions.  

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MICHIGAN'S U.S. SENATORS

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE’S LETTER TO SENATORS

FULL STORY

Choose Life License Plates could be on their way to Michigan

On March 5, the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee reported SB 84 out of committee by a vote of 4‑1. If passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, SB 84 would authorize a Choose Life fundraising license plate. The license plate would raise funds for organizations that submit grant proposals for specific abortion prevention projects. The bill stipulates that the funds will be used to promote alternatives to abortion, including adoption, provide practical support to pregnant women, and conduct outreach to at‑risk populations regarding positive pregnancy options.

Choose Life license plates are a common way states allow charities to help women experiencing an unplanned pregnancies. More than 25 states have passed Choose Life license plate legislation including Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Michigan has allowed a wide variety of special causes to raise funds using specialty plates including Michigan’s 15 state-supported universities, the Boy Scouts of America, breast cancer awareness, lighthouse preservation, veterans’ memorial, water quality, wildlife habitat, and disaster relief through the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

If the legislation passes, the money would be used to support pregnant women and promote alternatives to abortion. The legislation directs that “money disbursed to the Choose Life Michigan Fund under this section shall be distributed to eligible nonprofit organizations that expend money on projects that promote alternatives to abortion.” Eligible non-profits include “crisis pregnancy centers, homes for pregnant women, and other organizations that provide practical support to pregnant women, provide practical outreach to at‑risk populations, and promote life‑saving programs and projects as alternatives to abortion.”

Unfortunately, pro-abortion groups are already lying about this legislation. Planned Parenthood, the leading abortion provider in the United States, opposes this legislation and in an e-mail to supporters, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan falsely claimed “tax dollars” would be used to administer the funds from the Choose Life license plates. This claim is false. The proceeds from the sale of specialty license plates (they cost an additional $35 per year) fund the administration costs and the grants to eligible non-profits.

On the other hand, Planned Parenthood receives more than $500 million a year in government funding.

Those in favor of legal abortion often claim they are not in favor of abortion but the choice to have an abortion. Only organizations that are pro-abortion would be opposed to prolife people using their own money to buy license plates which help fund efforts to help women in unplanned pregnancies choose life. None of the funds or distribution of funds can legally prevent a woman from obtaining an abortion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOOSE LIFE LICENSE PLATE LEGISLATION

Choose Life license plate moving through legislative process

On March 5, the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee reported out SB 84 authorizing a Choose Life fundraising license plate by a vote of 4-1.  The license plate would raise funds for organizations that submit grant proposals for specific abortion prevention projects. The bill stipulates that the funds will be used to promote alternatives to abortion, including adoption, provide practical support to pregnant women, and conduct outreach to at-risk populations regarding positive pregnancy option.

The legislation now moves to the full senate. 

"The overarching goal it to make sure that we've got life-affirming policies and resources put in place for mothers that are finding themselves in not ideal situations," sponsoring Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, said after a 4-1 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee.

"..It actually provides those services, and support services necessary to support women who've made the choice to go off and support life."

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOOSE LIFE LICENSE PLATES