A full-term pregnancy lowers the risk of breast cancer; having an abortion increases the risk. This is just another thing that Heartbeat of Toledo is sharing with clients in order to save lives.
According to studies, undifferentiated cells in the breasts which estrogen stimulates to proliferate during pregnancy so that there will be enough milk-producing tissue to feed the baby after birth are vulnerable to carcinogens, and can ultimately grow into cancer cells. Importantly, during the last eight weeks of pregnancy, other hormones differentiate these cells into milk-producing cells. In the process of growth potential, and cancer-forming potential, these cells are turned off. That is why a full-term pregnancy lowers the risk of breast cancer later in life. Therefore, if a woman who has gone through some weeks or months of a normal pregnancy chooses abortion, she is left with more of these cancer-vulnerable cells in her breasts than were there before she got pregnant, which raises her risk of breast cancer later in life.
Choosing not to have an abortion is the most preventable risk factor for breast cancer!
Choosing to go full-term with a pregnancy, lowers your risk. That is why if you decide that you do not want to have a baby, that you should choose adoption. Not only are you saving the life of an innocent being, it could save your own life.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
True Love
Young love is sweet love.
Here at heartbeat we believe in not only helping women see the miracles of the babies they carry, but we also specialize in relationship classes. All it takes is two willing bodies to come together and fight for the love they possess. If you would like more information, call Heartbeat of Toledo at 419-241-9131.
Heartbeat of Toledo
4041 Sylvania Ave., Suite LL4
Toledo, OH 43606
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
One Woman's Amazing Story
Abortion survivor urges mothers to choose life
Claire Culwell was faced with challenges even before her birth. At the
age of 13 her mother became pregnant and chose to have an abortion. What
her mother didn't know at the time is that she was pregnant with twins.
Sometime later she returned to an abortion clinic to find out the news,
where she was told it was too late to have a second abortion.
Placed on life support at birth, Culwell dealt with some difficult
health issues -- including dislocated hips and feet turned inward.
Despite the challenges, she's grateful to have lived to tell her story.
Q: What led you to seek out your birth mother?
A: My sister had an amazing reunion with her birth mother. Her reunion was next to perfect. I thought that if reunions could be that easy, I might as well meet mine. After meeting my sister's birth mother, I got to thank her for giving me my sister. Our family would not be the same without my sister. At the very moment I thanked her, I realized that I hadn't thanked the woman that gave me my family and my life. I knew I needed to thank her and with that, I made the call to my adoption agency to search for my birth mother in October of 2008.
Q: Growing up, and before meeting your biological mother, did you ever feel like you were a twin?
A: Yes, I used to ask my parents, "Where is my brother?" It never felt like I wanted a brother or wished I had a brother -- I was absolutely convinced I had a brother and he was missing.
Q: When your birth mother told you about the abortion, what was your reaction?
A: I was completely shocked. It took a long time to process. It took months. Initially, I was shocked. It was hard to fully believe. After months of realizing the truth of my birth, I began to grieve the loss for myself, my twin, my birth mother and even my parents. Through my grieving and my realization of being an abortion survivor and a twin, my life was forever changed.
Q: When did you become a Christian?
A: I became a Christian very young, in fact, I don't remember becoming a Christian. My parents work for Campus Crusade for Christ and have for over 35 years. So I was raised by a very godly couple with a firm Christian foundation. If you're asking when I really began to claim my faith as my own, that was through a series of events in high school and college.
Q: How has your faith guided you in light of the challenges you faced early on both physically and emotionally?
A: I know that if I hadn't been a Christian and hadn't known the grace, love, protection, faithfulness and truth of my parents as well as God's word, I would have had a lot of anger, hurt, guilt, and responded to the "news" my birth mother gave me very differently. However, due to my strong Christian upbringing and the fruits of the spirit that I knew so well, I was able to really apply them and cling to what I knew about God -- that He has a plan. Trials, tribulation, pain, suffering, hurts ... these are words I don't necessary care for, but the amazing thing about them is that they bring you closer to God, show you why he is in control and make you appreciate the life you have been given. I may have a life with "suffering" and "hardship" written throughout it quite often, but I also have a life with "God's faithfulness" written faithfully throughout it for the past 24 years.
Q: Is there one Scripture that has helped you in light of finding out about the abortion?
A: Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 -- He knows me and he knows my twin brother. This gives me confidence that I will know my brother, and we will all be reunited with those who were never given the gift of life. Jeremiah 39 also tells me that God has a perfect plan -- a plan for my own good. He can make beauty from ashes!
Q: What's your message to others about abortion?
A: You will never regret giving the gift of life. And there is no sin that is "unforgivable" by God.
Q: Today, how is your relationship with your adopted parents and biological mother?
A: I have a wonderful relationship with my adoptive parents. They are the most wonderful examples I have ever seen of being godly and selfless. They have given me the opportunity to thrive by giving me the most wonderful upbringing. My birth mother also gave me a wonderful gift -- she told me about my birth, something she had kept to herself for 21 years. She encouraged me to share it with others because she didn't want any other child to go through what she did. However, due to the pain that her abortion attempts and my birth caused her, it is best for us not to talk. She is healing but has done an amazing thing -- she gave us the opportunity to share her story with others.
Q: What's your message to couples considering adoption, particularly of a child with a disability?
A: Every single family that has adopted a child with a disability says that their child has opened up doors for them in life that would have never been opened if it hadn't been for their child with a disability. They never pretend that it is easy but they will guarantee you that it is a blessing. I used to take care of disabled people in their homes and I can tell you that there is no joy like the joy of a disabled child. Often times we look at a child with disabilities and see it as a misfortune or something that could have been prevented had the parents chosen abortion, but as Christians we know two things: 1. God created that child perfectly in his image. 2. God has a purpose and a plan beyond anything we can ever comprehend. This is witnessed each and every time I come in contact with a disabled child. God's hands are written all over that child.
Q: The Vitae Foundation is hosting the dinner in Perryville and Jackson. Tell us a little about the organization and why you're partnering with it.
A: Vitae is an organization that informs families that are faced with a crisis pregnancy about resources, information regarding the three options women have; abortion, adoption and parenting, and advertises for many pro-life organizations through media. I have found that much of our success is accomplished through media. We are addicted to media in our country -- the Internet, social media, billboards, commercials, TV, etc. Vitae feeds the addiction of our country by providing the truth behind crisis pregnancy scenarios while provided real options for families that are life affirming. I wish there was an organization like this in my birth mother's area in the 1980s.
Q: What led you to seek out your birth mother?
A: My sister had an amazing reunion with her birth mother. Her reunion was next to perfect. I thought that if reunions could be that easy, I might as well meet mine. After meeting my sister's birth mother, I got to thank her for giving me my sister. Our family would not be the same without my sister. At the very moment I thanked her, I realized that I hadn't thanked the woman that gave me my family and my life. I knew I needed to thank her and with that, I made the call to my adoption agency to search for my birth mother in October of 2008.
Q: Growing up, and before meeting your biological mother, did you ever feel like you were a twin?
A: Yes, I used to ask my parents, "Where is my brother?" It never felt like I wanted a brother or wished I had a brother -- I was absolutely convinced I had a brother and he was missing.
Q: When your birth mother told you about the abortion, what was your reaction?
A: I was completely shocked. It took a long time to process. It took months. Initially, I was shocked. It was hard to fully believe. After months of realizing the truth of my birth, I began to grieve the loss for myself, my twin, my birth mother and even my parents. Through my grieving and my realization of being an abortion survivor and a twin, my life was forever changed.
Q: When did you become a Christian?
A: I became a Christian very young, in fact, I don't remember becoming a Christian. My parents work for Campus Crusade for Christ and have for over 35 years. So I was raised by a very godly couple with a firm Christian foundation. If you're asking when I really began to claim my faith as my own, that was through a series of events in high school and college.
Q: How has your faith guided you in light of the challenges you faced early on both physically and emotionally?
A: I know that if I hadn't been a Christian and hadn't known the grace, love, protection, faithfulness and truth of my parents as well as God's word, I would have had a lot of anger, hurt, guilt, and responded to the "news" my birth mother gave me very differently. However, due to my strong Christian upbringing and the fruits of the spirit that I knew so well, I was able to really apply them and cling to what I knew about God -- that He has a plan. Trials, tribulation, pain, suffering, hurts ... these are words I don't necessary care for, but the amazing thing about them is that they bring you closer to God, show you why he is in control and make you appreciate the life you have been given. I may have a life with "suffering" and "hardship" written throughout it quite often, but I also have a life with "God's faithfulness" written faithfully throughout it for the past 24 years.
Q: Is there one Scripture that has helped you in light of finding out about the abortion?
A: Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 -- He knows me and he knows my twin brother. This gives me confidence that I will know my brother, and we will all be reunited with those who were never given the gift of life. Jeremiah 39 also tells me that God has a perfect plan -- a plan for my own good. He can make beauty from ashes!
Q: What's your message to others about abortion?
A: You will never regret giving the gift of life. And there is no sin that is "unforgivable" by God.
Q: Today, how is your relationship with your adopted parents and biological mother?
A: I have a wonderful relationship with my adoptive parents. They are the most wonderful examples I have ever seen of being godly and selfless. They have given me the opportunity to thrive by giving me the most wonderful upbringing. My birth mother also gave me a wonderful gift -- she told me about my birth, something she had kept to herself for 21 years. She encouraged me to share it with others because she didn't want any other child to go through what she did. However, due to the pain that her abortion attempts and my birth caused her, it is best for us not to talk. She is healing but has done an amazing thing -- she gave us the opportunity to share her story with others.
Q: What's your message to couples considering adoption, particularly of a child with a disability?
A: Every single family that has adopted a child with a disability says that their child has opened up doors for them in life that would have never been opened if it hadn't been for their child with a disability. They never pretend that it is easy but they will guarantee you that it is a blessing. I used to take care of disabled people in their homes and I can tell you that there is no joy like the joy of a disabled child. Often times we look at a child with disabilities and see it as a misfortune or something that could have been prevented had the parents chosen abortion, but as Christians we know two things: 1. God created that child perfectly in his image. 2. God has a purpose and a plan beyond anything we can ever comprehend. This is witnessed each and every time I come in contact with a disabled child. God's hands are written all over that child.
Q: The Vitae Foundation is hosting the dinner in Perryville and Jackson. Tell us a little about the organization and why you're partnering with it.
A: Vitae is an organization that informs families that are faced with a crisis pregnancy about resources, information regarding the three options women have; abortion, adoption and parenting, and advertises for many pro-life organizations through media. I have found that much of our success is accomplished through media. We are addicted to media in our country -- the Internet, social media, billboards, commercials, TV, etc. Vitae feeds the addiction of our country by providing the truth behind crisis pregnancy scenarios while provided real options for families that are life affirming. I wish there was an organization like this in my birth mother's area in the 1980s.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Heartbeat Upcoming Events
Heartbeat of Toledo will be hosting its "Golf for Heartbeat" event June 30. It will be held at 8am at Bedford Hills Golf Club and tickets are sold for $75 per golfer. The ticket includes scrambles format, lunch, cart, and drink tickets.
Heartbeat is also proud to announce its first ever "Crawl, Stroll, and Walk," at Lourdes University Saturday, September 15th, 2012. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Walkers can either be individual participants or participate in groups. Registration is free and walker packets can be obtained by calling Heartbeat at 419-241-9131.
A free t-shirt will be given to those who raise $200 or more. There will be plenty of snacks, refreshments, and activities. Please join us for a fun-filled morning! :)
Heartbeat is also proud to announce its first ever "Crawl, Stroll, and Walk," at Lourdes University Saturday, September 15th, 2012. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Walkers can either be individual participants or participate in groups. Registration is free and walker packets can be obtained by calling Heartbeat at 419-241-9131.
A free t-shirt will be given to those who raise $200 or more. There will be plenty of snacks, refreshments, and activities. Please join us for a fun-filled morning! :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Memorial Day - Honoring Life
In reflection of Memorial Day yesterday, we remember all those who have died, fought, and are fighting for our country in order to protect us. This beautiful act of courage and honoring those we may not even know, reminds us a little of our own cause - Protecting young lives that cannot speak for themselves.
Let's take a minute to give grace to all the lives lost due to abortion. Let us also use this time to do all we can to help young girls and women not only see the miracle of the life they are carrying, but to also better inform them of their options. At heartbeat, we don't pressure any female that asks help of us. We believe it is our duty to help them think before they act, not to make any decisions for them.
After all, we are all given the choice, and we are not here to push beliefs on her, but to simply be a mentor, a helping hand, a friend. We are here to be that person that answers questions and speaks in an unbiased manner so that the choice she makes is her own - But quietly we pray that choice is life.<3
Let's take a minute to give grace to all the lives lost due to abortion. Let us also use this time to do all we can to help young girls and women not only see the miracle of the life they are carrying, but to also better inform them of their options. At heartbeat, we don't pressure any female that asks help of us. We believe it is our duty to help them think before they act, not to make any decisions for them.
After all, we are all given the choice, and we are not here to push beliefs on her, but to simply be a mentor, a helping hand, a friend. We are here to be that person that answers questions and speaks in an unbiased manner so that the choice she makes is her own - But quietly we pray that choice is life.<3
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Believe In Yourself
"Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think
they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe,
remember, you can achieve."
-Benjamin Spock
Your first look is a part of Heartbeat of Toledo. YFL offers girls and women a place to go when they are feeling unsure about their pregnancy. We offer free services, such as tests and ultrasounds, and caring and confidential counseling.
Your First Look hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Friday: 10-4:30
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-8
Saturday: 11-3
-Benjamin Spock
Your first look is a part of Heartbeat of Toledo. YFL offers girls and women a place to go when they are feeling unsure about their pregnancy. We offer free services, such as tests and ultrasounds, and caring and confidential counseling.
Your First Look hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Friday: 10-4:30
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-8
Saturday: 11-3
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Did You Know?
Warm Welcome from Heartbeat of Toledo
Heartbeat of Toledo is a pregnancy support center that helps teens and young women who are or may be pregnant. We offer free pregnancy tests and a chance to explore options.
• Pregnancy tests and Ultrasounds
• Someone who will listen and act on your behalf
• Pregnancy information including the growth and development of the unborn child
• A chance to explore all your options
• Practical solutions for your problems
• Non-judgmental care and support
• Baby layettes
• Emergency diapers and formula
• Heart to Heart Prenatal and Parent Learning Center
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