The Greater Toledo Right to Life hosted a news conference Tuesday afternoon outside the former Center for Choice in central Toledo to celebrate the abortion clinic’s closing and Gov. John Kasich’s new budget.

Sixteen pro-life supporters - half of whom were women - were at the event on what Greater Toledo Right to Life executive director Ed Sitter called a day of celebration and thanksgiving to God for answered prayer.

“We recommit to the unborn and to those women who are faced with unplanned pregnancies,” Mr. Sitter said. “We owe it to these women to make sure that they are fully informed on the irrevocable decision they are about to make. We will work through service, education, and support to empower these women to choose life for their unborn babies and for themselves.”

The $62 billion, two-year budget Mr. Kasich signed into law Sunday, which the group called the most pro-life budget in Ohio’s history,

prohibits public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics. State code requires a pact for the transfer of patients needing emergency treatment.

The law also requires doctors to perform an ultrasound to detect a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion and offer to let the woman see or hear the heartbeat, among other measures.

“We realize as rewarding as these victories are, that we are a long way from seeing the right to life enacted into law,” Mr. Sitter said.

Center for Choice closed June 7 after it could not find a local hospital that would enter into a transfer agreement. Mr. Sitter said the center had until June 25 to secure a transfer agreement and contest a $25,000 fine by the Ohio Department of Health for at least 12 health, sanitary, and safety violations.

Michelle McCauley, executive director for the Toledo Pregnancy

Center, said the center provides services to women in all stages of pregnancy, as well as those who have had an abortion. Mr. Kasich’s budget establishes new funding for pregnancy centers.

“The number of services that we offer are great,” Ms. McCauley said. “You can come through our doors and find a place of hope and of healing and of compassion.”

Joan Canning, regional director of the pro-life Silent No More Awareness Campaign, had an abortion 21 years ago. She said

lack of resources and emotional support, not unborn children, are the enemies of women with problem pregnancies.

“We want to educate the public at large that abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually for women, men and families,” she said. “We want it to become unacceptable for anyone to recommend an abortion as a fix for a problem pregnancy.”

There was no visible or vocal pro-choice opposition at the news conference.

Abortion opponents praise clinic’s closing, Kasich budget

Right to Life Group CelebratesBy SAM GANSBLADE STAFF WRITER

A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF FOUNDATION FOR LIFE AND GREATER TOLEDO RIGHT TO LIFELIFEmatters

ISSUE 3VOLUME 42 SUMMER 2013

BOARD MEMBERS Mike McCartney PRESIDENT

Tom Lieser VICE PRESIDENT

Kirk Ross TREASURER

Lee Strang SECRETARY

Jennifer AntoniniGeorge BaibakJoan CanningBret Huntebrinker

Kevin KellyJim MaasCarolyn MoeningJeff PalmerSara Weisenburger

STAFF

Ed Sitter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ed@fflnwo.org

Tracy Schupp DIRECTOR OF OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Tracy@fflnwo.org

Foundation for Life Executive Director Ed Sitter speaks to supporters.

BREAKING NEWS:As of Wednseday, July 31, Toledo’s last abortion mill is operating without a transfer agreement. They have until

August 30 to secure one or be forced to close.Read the full press release at www.fflnwo.org

SIGN UP Today to receive theLifeMatters e-newsletter at fflnwo.organd follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Pro-Life Legislation AdvancesThis legislative season is in full gear and several life-saving bills are closer to becoming law. It is because of Ohioans like you that we are able to achieve all that we have. Your prayers and financial gifts have facilitated the immense success we have seen over the last few months:

Budget AmendmentsDefunding Planned Parenthood To re-direct funding from Planned Parenthood to centers that provide necessary care for women and children.Parenting and Pregnancy Support ActTo fund pregnancy centers that work to help save lives and assist women.Abortion Facility RegulationsTo provide stricter regulations for abortion clinics.

New LegislationHB 49:The Elderly Protection ActThis would create a body to monitor elderly care as well as to hold elderly care employees more accountable.HB61/SB 23:Open Adoption RecordsThis would release birth certificates to adult adoptees adopted between 1964 and 1996 when requested.HB 91:The ‘Poison Pill’This would put an end to ObamaCare in Ohio.HB 95; Stillborn Baby Birth CertificatesThis would provide for a birth certificate for stillborn children.SB 24; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance DayThis would dedicate October 15th as a day of remembrance to remember those lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS or death of a newborn.

Legislation in the Works Adoption ReformSB 108 offers a larger tax credit to those who adopt. Also, a separate bill is being drafted to address the issues of pregnant women abusing the system to receive funds and then not placing their baby for adoption, as well as father’s rights and more.Sex Selection and Fetal Abnormalities BanTo ban abortions on the basis of a baby’s gender, physical and/or mental capacity.

GREATER TOLEDO RIGHT TO LIFE NEWS

Medicaid

Greater Toledo Right to Life is joining Cleveland, Lake County, Warren County, Cincinnati, and a host of other Right to Life groups across Ohio in our opposition to Governor Kasich’s plan to expand Medicaid.

Part of our work at GTRTL is to examine governmental policies in light of our mission statement, which is to safeguard the right to life in culture and law. Members of the Ohio house are attempting to reinstate the Governor’s proposed Medicaid expansion, this effort must be derailed.

The chief reason for opposition by the pro-life community is that it provides

taxpayer dollars to fund abortion, sterilization and contraception. Sorting through the un-Affordable Care Act, is like nailing jelly to the wall. Just last week, I read that 700 additional pages had been added to the existing 2,500-page-plus monster, including expansion of abortion coverage.

States that participate in federal Medicaid expansion will be governed by the Department of Health and Human Services. This Medicaid expansion will legislate the increased numbers of Medicaid recipients subject to the so-called HHS Mandate, and entrench Medicaid in Ohio as an arm of the federal government.

The current administration is committed to the expansion of surgical abortions, contraceptives, abortion-inducing drugs, and sterilizations

through publically-funded health care. Medicaid expansion will expand these tax-funded practices to the underprivileged, which not only violates the conscience rights of many taxpayers, but are elective and medically unnecessary procedures and drugs.

Leading abortion provider Planned Parenthood is a recipient of Medicaid funding for so-called “family planning” measures and funds for non-abortion procedures frees an abortion provider for its other programs. State Representative Ron Young has co-sponsored House Bill 91, that would put an end to Obamacare in Ohio when passed. HB 91 is described as the “poison pill” that will destroy Obamacare. Go to www.gtrtl.org for a link to the bill.

On June 30, Governor John Kasich sign into law a two year budget. The Ohio budget has been referred to as the “most pro-life in history” thanks to the leadership of Speaker Bill Batchelder and Senate President Keith Faber. “We applaud Governor Kasich and

the bipartisan pro-life majorities in the House and Senate,” said Greater Toledo Right to Life Executive Director, Ed Sitter. “Low-income pregnant women will now receive greater care and their unborn child will have a much greater opportunity to be born healthy. It took tremendous courage and compassion for the Governor and our pro-life legislature to stand up to the threats and intimidating tactics of the radical abortion rights advocates.” Governor Kasich approved five

measures endorsed by the 45 Ohio Right to Life affiliates across Ohio:

• Reprioritization of family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood

• Establishment of new funding for pregnancy centers

• Ban on public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics

• Strengthening of abortion clinic regulation

• Heartbeat informed consent requirement

“For all their rant about equality among the genders, Planned Parenthood and NARAL have a policy of inequality towards women. If you’re a woman living outside the womb you’re respected and cherished, but if

you’re a woman waiting to be born they ignore their humanity and treat them as disposable property. Ohioans appreciate leaders like Governor Kasich and those in the legislature who demonstrate respect for all women,” Sitter said. The Blade reported on June 23 that

the Center for Choice’s doors were closed as of Friday, June 7. “Technically they had until June

25 to request a hearing with the Ohio Department of Health to contest their $25,000 fine and the 12 plus health, sanitary and safety violations, which resulted from an onsite inspection in April and to secure a transfer agreement. Now we can report with certainty the Center for Choice is indeed closed.” Sitter said.

Pro-Life Community Secures Success in State Budget

Opportunity for Ohio House to Dismantle ObamaCare

Together making a difference for life where we live.

MEMORIALSSalinda CowdreyKathy Hiatt

HANNAH PAT SIMON Tim and Virginia WallTrust of Hannah Pat SimonAllen, Lori and Brennan Arbogast

FRANCIS CAMPBELL Mary Savage

Life chain is a time of prayer and public witness for the ending of Abortion. On Sunday October 6, 2013 people of faith from all over northwest Ohio will be joining together to pray for the ending of abortion, and through silent proclamation along roadsides throughout northwest Ohio.

If you would like to participate in an existing Life Chain or would like to help coordinate a Life Chain at your church, please call the Foundation for Life office (419-535-5800) or email us at info@fflnwno.org. For more information on the Life Chain event please visit the www.fflnwo.org/life-chain.html.

Life Chain - Sunday October 6

Pro-Life Upcoming EventsThe Truth Booth is on display at the Woodland Mall in Bowling Green, OH and has been traveling to the area county fairs this summer. Please be sure to stop and visit the local pro-life organizations at your local fair. The Truth Booth will be at Defiance County Fair in Defiance, August 17-25, and Hancock County Fair in Findlay, August 28-September 3.

For details and registration links for the following events, go to:

www.fflnwo.org

September 14• Crawl, Stroll and Walk

for Heartbeat of Toledo• Lourdes University,

Sylvania, Ohio• Foundation for Life SEAL

Team Boot Camp • The Andersons Activities

Building, 1833 Holland-Sylvania Road, Maumee

September 21• Walk for Bowling Green

Pregnancy Center • St. Thomas More

Catholic Church, 425 Thurstin Street, Bowling Green, OH

September 28• CPC Women’s Health

Resource Walk-A-Thon• Defiance High School

Track, 1755 Palmer Drive, Defiance, OH

October 6• Life Chain - Prayer

2:00 - 3:00 PM, Public Witness 3:00 - 4:00 PM

October 17• Foundation for Life

Benefit for Life Gala • The Pinnacle in

Maumee, OH

GREATER TOLEDO RIGHT TO LIFE NEWS FOUNDATION FOR LIFE NEWS

FFL welcomes new board member Sara WeisenburgerFoundation for Life welcomes its newest board member, Sara Weisenburger, Perrysburg City

Councilor, and small business owner.Prior to 2013, Sara spent every

day proudly raising her four small children. While being a mother is still the cornerstone of her daily activities, she has added some new tasks to her resume.“I’ve been very passionate about

educating people about the horrors of abortion. I kept telling myself that when my kids got older I would get

more involved. Then I started asking myself why I was waiting. My kids aren’t a hindrance to what I want to do, they are a shining example of what I can do.”Noting that the abortion rate is

continuing to decrease, she feels there is still a huge amount of work to be done. “People are starting to understand. People are starting to see their baby in an ultrasound and realizing the “just-a-clump-of-cells” rhetoric is simply not true.”Recently appointed to Perrysburg

City Council, she is using her training in auditing to review the City’s policies and procedures. She

is dedicated to helping maintain the City’s stable financial position while still challenging to make improvements.“I approach every new challenge

the same way - with enthusiasm, dedication and a focus on doing what is right.”Sara lives with her husband and four

children in Perrysburg where they are focusing on raising their family and being active members of their community. She is very excited and honored to begin her work on the board of the FFL & GTRTL.

Tracy joined the Foundation for Life staff in May as our new Director of Office Administration. Mrs. Schupp has worked in the healthcare and public health fields for the past 25 years. Most recently Tracy served as the Director of Operations for a national non-profit headquartered in Bowling Green, Ohio where she managed the day-to-day operations and served as the event planner for the organization’s annual conference.“I was looking for an opportunity to

make a difference – to give back…” she said. “I am excited to be part of the pro-life movement in northwest Ohio. The pro-life message is dear to my heart… my brother was adopted into our family when he was 13 months old. His birth mother chose Life and I received the most amazing gift because of her decision. My brother is watching over me from heaven today, but his life and memory live on in all the people he touched.” Tracy and her husband Roger, live

in Bowling Green, Ohio, where they enjoy spending time with family and friends. They have three children and she will tell you her greatest joy is her eight beautiful grandchildren, soon to be nine!

Meet Tracy Schupp

Together making a difference for life where we live.

Memorial Tribute to Mrs. Barbara Willke Pro-Life PioneerThe Foundation for Life mourns

the passing of Mrs. Barbara Willke, who served as co-founder along with her husband and as chairman of Cincinnati Right to Life for 28 years. Mrs. Willke died peacefully on April 14, 2013 after suffering a severe head injury due to a fall.

Paula Westwood, Cincinnati Right to Life Executive Director noted, “Mrs. Willke was a woman of courage and intelligence whose lifelong commitment to preserving the sanctity of human life is a moving legacy.”

Barbara Willke was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and internationally known author, lecturer, and expert in human

sexuality. She held B.S. and R.N. degrees from the University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing and Health, plus graduate studies at University of Dayton. Barbara was awarded honorary doctorates from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and, along with Dr. Willke Cincinnati’s Xavier University. Mother of six, grandmother of 22, great-grandmother of one, foster mother of several teenagers, Barbara also headed the Department at College of Nursing for five years.

SILENT NO MORE NEWSSEAL TEAMS NEWS

Foundation for Life is expanding our SEAL Team educational initiative. SEALs is an outreach program designed for students at the high school and collegiate level to be equipped to be an advocate of LIFE in their schools, and communities.

We are committed to giving students a voice because “what one generation tolerates the next generation embraces.”

To help us expand this cutting-edge Life initiative, we are looking for a volunteer director to work with our SEAL teams. To learn more about our SEAL Teams and this ministry opportunity, call Ed Sitter at (419) 535.5800.

SEAL TEAM Volunteer

Director Opportunity

Men Regret Lost Fatherhood

SEAL TEAMBOOT CAMP9:00 am - 2:00 pm

The Andersons Activities Building1833 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. Maumee, OH

Students Equipped to Advocate Life

The Foundation for Life invites you to learn about how to become a SEAL team, hear pro-life and motivational presentations from area leaders, and train to be a pro-life advocate in your school, church, and community.

SIGN UP TODAY at fflnwo.org

Saturday, September 14, 2013

MAXIMIZE YOUR GIVING POTENTIAL CONSIDER A GIFT OF STOCKMAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE YOU LIVE TODAY!

Take advantage of the Bull Market and support the Foundation for Life at the same time!

Any appreciated stock that you donate to Foundation for Life will be completeley free of captial gains tax and provide you with a charitable deduction at the end of the year. Contact Foundation for Life at 419-535-5800 to find out how simple a stock transfer can be.

Recently the Silent No More Awareness Campaign’s national headquarters launched a new men’s website called Fatherhood Forever which will help post-abortive men and also help all of us reach out to the men in our lives who regret their lost fatherhood.

Depending upon the man’s role in an abortion they may have very different responses. If they were powerless to stop an abortion they may have immediate and debilitating symptoms of anger, depression and even suicidal feelings. If they agreed to an abortion or pressured a partner into having an abortion their feelings of guilt and shame may surface early on or be repressed until many years later, as is also the case with women who choose to abort. Guy Condon & David Hazard, authors of “Fatherhood Aborted” describe post-abortive men by saying “There is one thing that seems to link together all men who face the long-term effects of abortion: a deep sense of loss.”

What we also know from experience is that men who have lost a child to abortion think they are alone in their suffering, and they frequently struggle to even understand their emotions and the resulting symptoms of those emotions, such as promiscuity, impotence, lack of trust, insomnia, nightmares, isolation, depression, substance abuse and violence. Our culture has an expectation that men should be strong and courageous. It is this expectation that causes men to hide their true emotions and pretend that everything is fine. But, deep inside they know they are hurting, causing their relationships, families, jobs and responsibilities to suffer.

It’s also important to realize that the post-abortive man’s natural instinct to provide for and protect their families was never realized for the child that was lost to abortion.

Post-abortive men need to be reassured that there is hope for their healing. They can regain their lives and find purpose and meaning, but they can’t do it alone. The new Fatherhood Forever website is a great place for them to start the healing process and for us to educate ourselves about the best way to help them. Reach out to the Foundation for Life directly for information on how to connect personally with post-abortive help for men.

Join us for the 14th annual

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Making a Difference for Life

Where We Live

BENEFIT FOR LIFE GALA

WAYS TO REGISTER1. Register online at fflnwo.org2. Mail this slip to: 3454 Oak Alley Ct. Ste. 211, Toledo Ohio 436063. Call in registration Mon-Fri. 9am-5pm 419.535.5800

DATE: Thursday October 17, 2013TIME: Doors open at 6:00 pm, program starts at 7:30PLACE: The Pinnacle, Maumee, OhioCOST: $60 (includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and complimentary bar)

For more information and reservations:Visit fflnwo.org (online registration available)Or call 419.535.5800

Exp. Date Cardholders’ Signature

YES, I/WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH FOUNDATION FOR LIFE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR LIFE WHERE WE LIVE

Advocate $1,000 Leader $2,500 Champion $5,000 Defender $10,000 Guardian $20,000

Please make a registration for at $60 per person $

Gold: $750 for 15 Tickets

Sponsorship Levels (also includes recognition at the Gala)

Silver: $500 for 10 Tickets Bronze: $250 for 5 Tickets

Check Enclosed (Made payable to Foundation for Life)

Credit Card Visa MC Card Number

Sorry, I/We cannot attend, but please accept this gift of $

MAIL RESERVATIONS TO: Your gift is tax-deductable.PHONE: 419.535.5800 FAX: 419.535.5565 EMAIL: INFO@FFLNWO.ORG

Foundation for Life, 3454 Oak Alley Court, Suite 211, Toledo, OH 43606

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE

PHONE EMAIL

PARTNERSHIP LEVELS:

YES! I WANT TO ATTEND THE BENEFIT FOR LIFE GALA

Keynote Speaker:

Lila Rose of Live Action

National and international pro-life speaker. Founder of Live Action, a pro-life nonprofit which specializes in investigative journalism, media, and youth education. Frequent guest on radio and television programs, including “The O’Reilly Factor,”

“The Glenn Beck Program,” CNN, EWTN, and “The

Laura Ingraham Show.”

Gold $750 Advocate $1,000 Leader $2,500 Champion $5,000 Defender $10,000 Guardian $20,000

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORTNow is the time to partner with Foundation for Life to Make a Difference for Life Where We Live. Our Partners for Life will have an opportunity to meet Lila Rose at a special pre-gala event.

WWW.FFLNWO.ORG

WWW.GTRTL.ORG

3454 Oak Alley CourtSuite 211

Toledo, OH 43606

Phone 419.535.5800 Fax 419.535.5565

info@fflnwo.org

Our Mission is to safeguard the right to life in culture and law. In pursuit of our mission we run on two tracks: education and advocacy.The respect for human life is an essential value of any just and compassionate society. Until 1972 there was a

universal respect for all innocent human life, it was at the core of our culture values. We must safeguard the civil rights of our weakest members. We were all weak once and we will all be weak again - - when a person is waiting to be born or when a person is waiting to die - - these are the moments that measure a societies’ respect for life.

Here are three examples of how Foundation for Life (FFL) is impacting our community.

• Our SEAL Team (Students Equipped to Advocate Life) program trains students to reach out among their peers with a positive, compassionate pro-life message. This peer-to-peer message is powerful and persuasive.

• Our Silent No More Awareness campaign is offering hope, healing and new purpose to those impacted by abortion. This program offers post-abortive women an opportunity to make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings.

• The Truth Booth is our educational “stages of life” kiosk. The 4-D ultrasound images inform views of the undeniable humanity of the unborn child. Attractive brochures encourage viewers to contact pro-life pregnancy centers to get their own ultrasounds.

Here is how Greater Toledo Right to Life (GTRTL) has helped to safeguard the right to life in law.

• We were privileged to play a key role in the closing the Center for Choice.

• Working with State Senator Randy Gardner to ensure that UTMC cannot renew its transfer agreement with Capital Care Network

• Working with bipartisan majorities in both the Ohio house and senate we help enact laws that are saving unborn babies lives today!

Help us change more hearts, save more lives, and influence public policy. Celebrate life on October 17 and sign up for our 14th annual Benefit for Life.

Ed SitterExecutive Director – Foundation for Life

IN THIS ISSUE OF

PRO LIFE NEWSStrides made with Ohio Legislation

FOUNDATION FOR LIFE UPDATEMeet our new members

BENEFIT FOR LIFE GALADon’t miss our fundraiser event

SILENT NO MORE NEWSNews from Joan Canning

LIFEmatters

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PA I DTOLEDO, OH

PERMIT NO. 179