This month, Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (PDHC) celebrates 43 years of rescuing lives and impacting families for generations, one heartbeat at a time. 

This month also commemorates the 36th year our nation has officially observed the sanctity of human life. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 17, 1988, as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Since then, it is typically celebrated on the third Sunday of January each year.

“I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in their homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life they enjoy and to reaffirm their commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of every human life,” President Reagan declared.

Since 1981, PDHC has been a safe and compassionate haven for new moms who need help facing challenging pregnancy decisions. She can reflect on her situation from a perspective of love, strength and empowerment rather than feeling alone and powerless. No woman should feel alone, coerced or so hopeless that she thinks abortion is her only option. 

At PDHC, we make abortion unnecessary as we walk alongside her throughout her pregnancy and beyond through the first year of her baby’s life, making sure to connect her with additional community resources to meet her personalized and ongoing needs. We care about the whole person, supporting her physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Often, her journey begins when she reaches out to PDHC’s 24/7 hotline. The team provides a listening ear and gets her connected with one of our four pregnancy centers for help. In 2023, the hotline responded to over 70,000 calls, texts and chats. 

Last year, over 2,200 individuals were served at PDHC through over 6,800 visits to our four pregnancy resource centers and the family empowerment center. We provided over 1,500 free pregnancy tests and more than 1,130 ultrasounds. We praise God for 825 life decisions. 

The excellent work of over 120 pregnancy resource centers in Ohio is undeniable. According to a 2019 report released by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, Ohio pregnancy centers provided free services and materials valued at more than $15.1 million, serving 126,590 women, men, youth and families.

At PDHC, of the individuals who responded to our surveys after visiting and receiving services at our centers, 96% gave us the highest five out of five ratings for friendly and prompt service, being treated with respect and showed interest in my needs, was given the help and/or referrals needed, and would recommend PDHC to my friends.  Ninety-three percent gave a five out of five rating for feeling more confident and empowered after their initial visit regarding their next steps. 

One individual who came into PDHC for help said, “Most amazing place ever. The staff were amazing and made me feel comfortable and welcomed and loved.”

“All the people who work there are great. Kind and very respectful. I am very thankful for their excellent service,” said another individual.

According to the latest statistics from the Ohio Department of Health, in 2022, there were 18,488 abortions in Ohio. Of those, 2,746 were in Franklin County, the fifth highest total for a county in the state for abortions. 

At PDHC, we believe no woman should ever feel forced to finish an abortion she regrets. Chemical abortions via the abortion pill continue to rise and represent over 50% of abortions in the United States. In Franklin County, however, chemical abortions represent 87% of abortions. 

Women often take the abortion pill out of duress, when they feel they have no other options, and after doing so, they immediately regret their decision and instantly begin searching for help. 

If she takes the first abortion pill and changes her mind, she has about 72 hours to reverse her abortion decision, and PDHC stands ready to help during this critical time with Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) services to give her a second chance to save her baby. APR has been proven effective 64%-68% of the time, with no harmful health effects to the mom or her baby. It has been used safely for decades to help women at risk of premature birth and recurring miscarriage. 

One individual we helped said after she took the abortion pill that she immediately regretted it and PDHC was able to help save her baby.

“They gave me so much hope and encouragement,” she said. “They prayed for me and my pregnancy and let me know they would be with me every step of the way. Nine months later, I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl. None of this could have been possible without PDHC. I am forever grateful for this team.” 

Recently, a woman who was shopping in the boutique said she wanted to tell someone how much she had been helped. She said she was so grateful for the support provided through classes and baby supplies. She had not been prepared to have a baby. Her baby is healthy, and she reported she is even finding ways to give to others.

PDHC cares about moms, babies, dads and families, and continues to be a beacon of support for parents, dedicated to empowering them with essential skills through parenting classes and the development of a supportive community with other parents, staff and volunteers. 

Last year, at least 433 new moms and dads participated in over 13,600 online classes and nearly 900 in-person classes. There were over 2,100 material aid visits to our baby boutiques for resources. 

Since 1984, PDHC has been teaching Sexual Risk Avoidance Education to youth in middle and high schools in Franklin and Fairfield counties through medically accurate, age-appropriate information for both public and private, faith-based schools. PDHC’s Common Sense Culture Program (CSC) continues to impact the students in central Ohio with character education to help them establish healthy and vibrant relationships and empower them to achieve their life goals. Last year, the team reached 37 schools and over 5,500 students. 

One high school student shared, “Having a better understanding of this will impact my decision-making.”

Since 1989, PDHC’s Abortion Recovery (aR) program has been offering hope and healing for those who have experienced the grief and trauma from a past abortion experience. 

Abortion is a deeply personal and often complex experience, one that can leave individuals and families with a sense of loss, grief and guilt. With one-in-four women experiencing abortion, it is important to provide a safe space to allow individuals to confront their grief and start or continue their healing journey. 

With the increase in self-managed chemical abortions via the abortion pill, we are finding that women are immediately traumatized because of what they see and experience. They come to realize they are their own abortion provider, and they revisit the scene every day because it occurred in their own home, and they are reaching out for help much sooner. PDHC operates a 24/7 CareLine for those who need help at 614-721-2100.

“I found aR support 100% helpful,” a participant said. “I was in a dark place and headed back down a dark road! I have been lifted out of a pit that could have ruined me. I cannot express how grateful I am.

“Anyone going through or sitting in a broken place, YOU CAN COME OUT! There are people who God sent to help you and they are so happy to help you with all love, and no judgment. I sat in a place of loneliness for years feeling unwanted, loveless, and broken but aR at PDHC has opened up a door that I'm walking through with confidence! I have a new mind and heart. Yes, it's hard but I am changed, and healing is my new friend.” 

With the passage of Issue 1 in Ohio, the work of pregnancy resource centers like PDHC becomes even more important as we meet the ever-changing culture in our state. We are here for her every step of the way. For more information, go to SupportLifePDHC.org. 


Kathy Scanlon is the president of Pregnancy Decision Health Centers.