March 2016 Newsletter
Posted By cmbuuck on March 15, 2016
Life Affirming News
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand . . . Ephesians 6:12-13
Reflection from Carmen Pate
40 Days For Life / March 1, 2016
I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ.
We must see the battle for what it is and if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, we must daily “put on” the armor God has given us: Gird your waist with Truth. Put on the breastplate of Righteousness. Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Taking the shield of faith. Taking the Helmet of salvation. Taking the sword of the Spirit.
Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and the next verse tells us how, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.” (Ephesians 6:18)
Prayer: Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your command, and for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
Indiana Right to Life statement on Senate passage of House Bill 1337
Indianapolis – Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter issued this statement following passage this afternoon of House Bill 1337 by a 37-13 vote in the Indiana Senate:
“Today’s Senate vote brings us one step closer to ending the disposal of aborted babies as medical waste in Indiana, to safeguarding against the harvesting of baby parts for experimentation, and to preventing discrimination against unborn babies because of disability, sex, or the color of their skin. We now urge the Indiana House to take swift action in bringing this important bill to Governor Pence’s desk.”
Cord Blood Donation Bill: The Backstory
Liz Brown and Senate Bill 315 / February 24, 2016
Meet Lydia (2 years old) and Samson (now 6 weeks old).
Their mom, Becky, a staffer of mine, brought the idea of a bill on umbilical cord donation to my attention last fall while she was pregnant with Samson.
Back when she was pregnant with Lydia, she received solicitations from companies to bank her unborn baby’s cord blood. If she had chosen this, she and her husband would have paid a cord blood bank thousands of dollars to store their child’s cord blood cells for a set number of years. Then, if a medical emergency arose in the family, such as a leukemia diagnosis, they would have the cells to use.
As a first-time mom, Becky set out to do a little research about banking. She spoke with stem cell research expert Dr. David Prentice, now of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, and author of this article: LifeNews – Save a Baby’s Life, Save Two Lives with Umbilical Cord Blood. Dr. Prentice shared how public cord blood donation offers an abundance of benefits. He explained if everyone donated, there would likely be a match every time cells are needed from the public bank. You see, cord cells don’t need to be an exact match in transplants like adult stem cells must be. Additionally, cord cells offer an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cells and they are used in medical research for a whole host of diseases from diabetes to cancer. Learn more in Dr. Prentice’s article here.
After hearing the benefits of donation, Becky talked to her doctor and her hospital before Lydia’s due date about her desire to donate her child’s cord blood. Unfortunately, she faced roadblocks because her hospital didn’t participate in cord blood donation (even though participation is completely free for hospitals). She even spoke with the local public donation collection organization, Life Line Stem Cell, in New Haven, Ind., but there was no way to get her child’s cord blood from the hospital to the bank. When Lydia came, her cord blood was thrown out.
As Becky and her husband approached their second child’s due date, things were different. This time they were set to deliver at a different hospital. They were assured that upon hospital admittance they would be offered the option to donate. And Becky tells me, that’s exactly what happened. The donation process was simple and completely free and harmless.
Now Samson’s cord blood has been donated to a public bank where it could be used for a transplant, to save a patient with cancer, or in medical research to find cures.
My cord blood bill, Senate Bill 315, doesn’t make cord blood donation mandatory by hospitals or mothers. Rather it raises awareness of this life-saving process by providing expectant mothers with information on cord donation. My bill passed two committees and the Senate and House chambers with all unanimous votes. It now awaits the Governor’s signature.
Cord blood donation recognizes that every life is a gift.
Operation Rescue : New Report Verifies Data: Abortion Clinics are Closing at a “Record Pace”
LifeWire / Feb. 24, 2016
One abortion clinic closes on average each week. Since 1991, number of surgical abortion facilities has fallen by 81%.
Already in 2016, there have been nine abortion facilities that have closed or announced imminent closures. Even given that two of the closures are expected to be temporary, abortion clinic closures continue on an average pace of one closure per week.
In a report released on December 22, 2015, Operation Rescue documented that 54 abortion facilities closed or halted all abortion services during that calendar year.
Quick Updates: from Center for Bioethics and Culture
February 19, 2016
Physician Assisted Suicide Debated in Iowa
The battle for physician assisted suicide has reached yet another state — this time Iowa — where it remains unclear whether or not it will move ahead from committee to the full Senate for full consideration.
Euthanasia Week Celebrated in the Netherlands
The Netherland’s Right to Die organization focused on 15 years of legalized euthanasia in the country by hosting an official “Euthanasia Week.” The week was marked with documentary films and a public awareness campaign — particularly geared toward the youth. To date, over 5,000 citizens die in the Netherlands each year utilizing the country’s euthanasia laws.
IVF Conceived Children Face Poor Health Outcomes
A new study in the journal, Human Reproduction, warns that IVF conceived children may suffer poor health outcomes such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.