As Womankind Prenatal and Maternal Care Center celebrates its 50th anniversary of assisting pregnant women with free prenatal care, personal support and social services in a caring, non-judgmental environment, it welcomed the addition of a new ultrasound machine to its facility.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost blessed the machine during a brief ceremony on Sept. 26.
Bud Tetzlaff, grand knight of the St. Ladislas Council 16373, said this is the 13th ultrasound machine the Knights of Columbus have been involved with.
The Knights of Columbus works together as an organization to purchase ultrasound machines for qualifying pregnancy centers. According to information from the K of C, discounted prices for select machines are offered through preferred pricing agreements arranged by the Supreme Council. The list of preferred machines is provided to sponsoring councils after the pregnancy center is approved for funding by the local diocese and the Supreme Council.
After the state and/or local council raises 50% of the cost, the Knights’ Supreme Council will provide the other 50% to complete funding for purchase of an ultrasound. Or, if the council raises 100% of the cost of a vehicle outfitted to serve as a mobile medical unit for a pregnancy center, the Supreme Council will provide 100% of the funds for an ultrasound machine to be used in that vehicle.
The Knights said the ultrasound machines can save lives by helping women choose life by giving them an opportunity to view their unborn children on the machines at pro-life pregnancy centers like Womankind. The initiative is funded by the Knights’ state and local councils with matching grants from the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund.
Womankind, located in Garfield Heights, offers comprehensive services to pregnant women regardless if they have insurance, their income, immigration status, where they live or their plans for the pregnancy. The services and support, available at no cost, includes professional, prenatal medical care up to 28 weeks gestation, professional client support services including counseling, advocacy, case management and assistance obtaining essential baby items.
At 28 weeks’ gestation, women are referred to the provider or hospital that will handle their third trimester care and delivery. They also offer support assistance including breastfeeding information and assistance in completing applications for Medicaid, SNAP and WIC programs to aid mothers and children.
Many parishes and schools are familiar with Womankind because of its annual Baby Bottle Fundraiser, through which people can claim a baby bottle from their parish, fill it with cash or make a donation, and return it. Virtual baby bottles are available for secure online donations. Nearly four dozen parishes and schools have participated in the baby bottle fundraiser.
Click here for more information on Womankind, including details on the Nov, 15 EmpowerHER benefit.