(COL/SNR) – Since 2009 the Nebraska Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Foundation (COL) has placed 10 ultrasound machines in qualifying women’s resource centers throughout Nebraska.
The first was placed in Kearney in 2009 and others have been placed in North Platte, Grand Island, Hastings, O’Neill. There have been four placed in facilities in the Omaha area.
The Knights asked the 10 facilities with ultrasound machines in place by 2018, the question; “In 2018, how many abortion-minded and/or abortion-vulnerable women received an ultrasound, and after seeing the results, chose not to abort?”
Eight of the 10 facilities responded. The total number of ultrasounds given was 2,558. Of that number, 2,157 women chose not to abort their children after viewing the ultrasound; more than 84% of the women who were able to view their baby and see its heartbeat felt the need to let their baby live.
The COL is funded primarily through the annual “One Rose, One Life” campaign which is sponsored and carried out by local Knights of Columbus Councils in parishes statewide on or near Jan. 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
The “Ultrasound Initiative” program was started in 2009 by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, which has close to two million members, to help place ultrasound machines in qualifying women’s resource centers throughout the United States and worldwide. The Supreme Council typically pays half of the cost of a machine with the other half coming from the state or local councils. Since its conception, more than 1,000 ultrasound machines have been placed, saving countless babies’ lives.
The “One Rose-One Life” campaign will be observed soon in parishes across the state so all have an opportunity to help save lives.
