America Ferrera, Julianne Moore, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few of the numerous stars that support Planned Parenthood. Each of these A-list stars has their own position in the fight to keep Planned Parenthood adequately funded. Katy Perry, who grew up with a strong Christian background, looked for information about birth control and found answers through Planned Parenthood. She has said, “ I was always scared I was going to get bombed when I was there, I didn’t know it was more than that, that it was for women and their needs. I didn’t have insurance, so I went there and I learned about birth control."
Supporters and Stories
“The first time I went to Planned Parenthood was with my mother. She assumed as a teenager I would be sexually active and she never wanted me to be unprepared. Since that first time 3 years ago I’ve been going faithfully every 3 months for my pack of birth control. I have even encouraged my friends to go with me so they can learn about safe sex. This is all possible because of Planned Parenthood’s free services for teenagers. I truly believe without their services my friends could be unaware of the dangers of sex and may have even ended up pregnant.” - Regular Planned Parenthood Patient
"Years ago, when I was right out of high school, not a full time student, and no longer covered by my parents insurance plan I continued my GYN care with our local Planned Parenthood center. I was young, and when I had an abnormal pap, scared wasn’t the word that could describe my feelings.
It turned out that abnormal pap was stage 2 pre-cervical cancer cells. Cervical cancer… which killed my grandmother in the 1970′s. Cancer… something horribly scary for a 19 year old single woman. The fear of death, never having children, lengthy cancer treatments, and all with no medical insurance. Something that happens to more American’s than we would like to admit.
I was able to have the screening that possibly saved my life, and treatment in their facility at a cost that was affordable and didn’t send me into bankruptcy before I could even start my life. Had it not been for the services Planned Parenthood offered, it would have gone undetected, because I wouldn’t have been seeing a GYN at all. And who knows what would have happened." - Danielle Elwood from momotics.com
Dear Governor Romney,
I don't ordinarily write letters to politicians. We've never met. I'm a single mom living in Florida, and you have a pretty full plate.
My teenage daughters are on Spring Break this week, and I want to spend all the time I can with them. But first I'm reaching out to you because I am so troubled by comments you made this week. I was surprised and alarmed to see video of you saying, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that," during a discussion about the federal budget.
Governor Romney, Planned Parenthood saved my life. I know what it would mean to "get rid of" Planned Parenthood.
I had a routine pap test at a Planned Parenthood health center when I was 19 years old, and it detected cervical cancer. Because of Planned Parenthood, the cancer was caught early. I was able to get treatment, and three decades have passed.
Now my focus is on my daughters, who are 15 and 18. I have been battling breast cancer for the last several years -- it's hereditary breast cancer, which means my daughters have a 50/50 chance of getting it. I am now losing my battle with breast cancer. It has metastasized, and my doctors have told me that I can expect to live six months to two years
Because Planned Parenthood saved my life 30 years ago, and because the breast cancer I have is hereditary, my girls get screened every few months at our local Planned Parenthood health center. Given our income and the State of Florida's programs, the only place my daughters can get their cancer screening is at Planned Parenthood. There have been advances in early detection, making Planned Parenthood my daughters' best chance for a long and healthy future.
You seemed so cavalier when you said you would "get rid of" Planned Parenthood, but you're talking about my life and my daughters' lives.
Getting rid of Planned Parenthood would get rid of the health care millions of other women and their families rely on for breast exams, pap tests, birth control, and STD tests. A Planned Parenthood doctor is the only physician many women see -- that was certainly the case for me when I was diagnosed with cancer. And Planned Parenthood health centers are often the only provider of women's health care within miles.
If Planned Parenthood had not been there for me -- if someone had decided to get rid of the organization or its funding -- I would not be here today.
When I had my daughters, I vowed to make sure they would always be safe and healthy, which includes having access to the health care that saved my life. I am writing ask that you reconsider your remarks about Planned Parenthood -- and to ask that when you think about what Planned Parenthood does and why it matters, you think of me and my family. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Smithers
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