“I’m here today with my two beautiful children. Fifteen years ago, my life was a mess. ComfortCare was instrumental in my healing. Now I’m able to show my children that my past is not something I’m afraid to share, but something I’ll use to teach them.”
STAUNTON, VA- The topic of past indiscretions can make parents run for the door, or at best, squirm in their seats. But there are parents, so affected by past decisions, they not only talk about their history, they use it as a catalyst for learning.
Many of those individuals walked Saturday, May 10th, with 300 local residents, as ComfortCare Women’s Health held its annual “Walk-for-Life”, at Grace Christian School in Staunton and Westwood Hills Elementary in Waynesboro. Funds from this event support women facing unplanned pregnancy through free pregnancy testing, nurse’s consultation, peer counseling and STD testing.
“I’ve had an abortion,” shares one woman in the crowd. “I’ve talked with my teenage daughters about how this decision nearly devastated my life. Now, we’re all advocates. We walk together to support women, babies and families with practical assistance in a scary and desperate time.”
Michelle Sprouse, R.N., a ComfortCare nurse, adds “It’s important for my kids to be here with me, to see what I give my time and effort to. I want them to be impacted by this gathering of individuals that passionately support women, babies and families.”
As a 501-(C)(3), ComfortCare Women’s Health depends on contributions from local individuals, churches and businesses. The Walk-for-Life income funds approximately two months of operational costs for a clinic in Staunton and one in Waynesboro.
Preliminary totals show the walk-for-life raising $58,000 in pledges and over 300 walkers participating. ComfortCare Event Coordinator, Lynn Forbus, is thrilled about the financial outcome of this fundraiser, however she reflects on the deeper meaning.
“I’m here today with my two beautiful children. Fifteen years ago, my life was a mess. ComfortCare was instrumental in my healing. Now I’m able to show my children that my past is not something I’m afraid to share, but something I’ll use to teach them.”
ComfortCare Women’s Health is a life-affirming, non-profit medical clinic empowering women to make healthy life choices. Pregnancy confirmation, peer counseling on pregnancy options, nurse’s consultation and STD testing are provided by trained professionals and peer counselors at no cost to the patient. (www.ccwomeshealth.org)
