Fires, hurricanes, and unjust laws. These are just a few of the challenges that pro-life pregnancy help organizations have weathered over the last year—all while pursuing the mighty task of rescuing mothers and their children from abortion.
It’s with these hardships in mind that Heartbeat International, a global network of 2,600 pregnancy help organizations, kicks off the 5th Annual Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week (November 12 - 16), thanking pregnancy help organizations for their tireless service to women in need of pregnancy support.
Designed by Heartbeat International in 2014, Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week honors those working within the pregnancy help movement, a community that consists of more than 5,000 pregnancy help centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes around the world. For the last half-century, such organizations have walked alongside families throughout pregnancy and beyond, blessing them with pregnancy tests, emotional support, ultrasounds, parenting classes, and so much more at no cost.
To support the continued service provided by these centers, Heartbeat International is offering a “Deal of the Day” each day this week on training resources and other materials.
Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, recognized the movement’s worldwide impact.
“Year-round, our team has the immense privilege of visiting and working with some tremendous global partners who sacrifice greatly to serve women and babies in need,” said Godsey. “The strength and courage this work takes cannot be overstated. The scope of our movement is remarkable, and leaves us exceedingly grateful for every person who plays a role in rescuing mothers and unborn babies from abortion around the world.”
In the U.S. alone, pregnancy help centers served nearly 2 million people with free services in 2017—an estimated community cost savings of at least $161 million.
The bulk of those savings came from the 400,100 ultrasounds performed at pregnancy centers last year. Those services saved communities over $100 million.
A total of 67,400 volunteers—7,500 of which were medical—gave their time to centers in 2017.
“From volunteers to executive directors, nurses to receptionists, we thank every person who has been gifted with the passion to advance the culture of life,” said Godsey. “Even on the hardest days, know that your work matters, both to the families we support and the loving God we serve. Our team at Heartbeat sends our heartfelt thanks to all those serving in the trenches the world over.”
