Kelly McCallister, a Minden native representing Heartbeat International, addressed the noon Lions Club meeting on December 4, sharing her personal story and outlining the organization’s work in supporting pregnancy help centers.
Heartbeat International, founded in 1971, is a non-profit Christian organization that provides training, resources, and networking for affiliated crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies. The organization promotes alternatives to abortion and operates programs including the Abortion Pill Rescue Network (APRN), which links women to healthcare providers offering “abortion pill reversal” treatment after the first dose of a chemical abortion.
Lion John McDaniel introduced McCallister, noting that an estimated 53 million abortions have taken place in the United States since Roe vs. Wade went into effect about 50 years ago.
McCallister began her presentation by recalling her pregnancy at age 16 and the support she received from her parents. “When I found out about that pregnancy, it turned my world upside down. I had no idea what to do or where to turn,” she said. She asked her mother what they could do, believing her future plans had collapsed. She said her mother responded, “Kelly, what is done is done. There’s already a little life inside of you. We just have to keep moving forward.” McCallister said, “To tell you that the support of my parents was incredibly empowering is an understatement.”
She said that parameters on chemical abortion drugs have been loosened, allowing them to be prescribed through telemedicine and used without a woman seeing a doctor. According to McCallister, 1 in 10 women will experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging or other serious complications within 45 days of taking the drugs. She said more than 70 websites sell the medications without oversight.
McCallister said many women face pressure to terminate pregnancies, adding that 1 in 4 abortions are coerced. She said chemical abortions are now common enough that some women receive the drugs without their knowledge from partners or family members.
She explained that chemical abortion consists of two doses: day one with mifeprex and day two with cytotec. Heartbeat International promotes a progesterone-based treatment for women who take the first dose and choose to continue their pregnancies. She said the APR Medical Advisory Team unanimously agrees that progesterone is appropriate and effective in preventing miscarriage. McCallister said more than 7,000 babies have been saved through APR. “Typically we have about 200 reversals start per month. Ninety percent of the callers who are interested in reversal will get started on progesterone, and 80 percent of those are connected to care in under an hour.” She said provider kits are available.
More information about Heartbeat International is available at their website at www.heartbeatinternational.org.
The Lions Club hosts speakers each Thursday at noon at the American Legion Memorial Hall, 119 Pine Street, and welcomes new members interested in community service in Minden.