NCHLA Alerts
(The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment) is a pro-life organization that, among other things, sends out Action Alerts on imminent pro-life legislation. These alerts will NOT over-run your inbox and are a simple, way to profess your Catholic faith. If you would like to receive timely e-mail notices, please follow the easy instructions under the “Political/Legislative” section of our church website. Once you have signed up, NCHLA will “remember” you; responding to future notices will take less than one minute of your time. For more information please visitwww.nchla.org.
Please click here to view a sample NCHLA E-Mail
Charitable Organizations and their Positions on the Life Issues
(from American Life League (ALL) website – July 2015)
The list of charitable research organizations and their corresponding positions on the life issues posted to our website is neither all pro-life nor all anti-life; it is mixed. Unfortunately, most of the organizations on our list are marked with the red minus sign. It is simply just a sad fact that most national medical research/advocacy groups support some form of unethical research. There is no listing, to our knowledge, of only pro-life research organizations.
A green positive/plus sign indicates that ALL considers the organization worthy of support from pro-lifers. ALL considers an organization to be pro-life if it is opposed to abortion, human embryonic stem cell and/or aborted fetal body parts research, all forms of cloning and other attacks against the human person at any stage of development as well as Planned Parenthood Federation and other pro-abortion organizations.
A red negative/minus signs indicates that ALL does not consider the organization worthy of support from pro-lifers. If the organization supports, in any way (theory, advocacy, lobbying, granting and/or research) any offenses to life, it is not considered pro-life. Further, if any organization refuses to answer our inquiries, refuses to be clear about its position and/or attempts to couch its answer in terms of referring to another agency (i.e., federal government branches), it is not considered pro-life.
A plain yellow circle indicates that ALL urges caution when considering support for the organization due to a change in a prior rating. That is, an organization may have previously received a green positive or a red negative because of certain policy positions which are now questionable or cannot be verified.
The rating is based on the organization’s response to written correspondence (regular postal or e-mail), a review of the organization’s website, verifiable news reports, verifiable correspondence forwarded to us by others and/or a combination of any of these.
Research into other organizations not listed is an on-going process, but may be limited by staff and resources at ALL. If you have information (and documentation) about organizations that you would like to see listed, we would be most happy to receive it. Currently, we are not in a position to print the list (it amounts to more than 100 pages, not including documentation in hyperlinks) however, feel free to pass the link to the website to everyone you know!
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (Wynnewood, PA 19096)
According to the Foundation’s website, there were grant funds being directed toward researchers and research facilities that support, promote and conduct such research.
Alliance for Aging Research
The Alliance supports public policies that advance research involving both adult and embryonic stem cells and regenerative medicine in general.
Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
Many of ARM’s members are companies, foundations, and associations with public positions of support for human embryonic stem cell research.
ALS Association (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association)
In an email to ALL from Carrie Munk at the ALS Association July 2, 2014: The ALS Association primarily funds adult stem cell research. “Currently, The Association is funding one study using embryonic stem cells (ESC), and the stem cell line was established many years ago under ethical guidelines set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); this research is funded by one specific donor, who is committed to this area of research.” (Study is using the spinal cord neural stem cells from electively aborted fetus.)
Alzheimer’s Association
“The Alzheimer’s Association policy supports and encourages any legitimate scientific avenue that offers the potential to advance this goal, including human embryonic stem cell research; and, we oppose any restriction or limitation on research, provided that appropriate scientific review, and ethical and oversight guidelines and compliance are in place.”
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is not considered a pro-life organization for the following reasons: 1.Support for human embryonic stem cell research 2.Grant funding at facilities known prominently for human embryonic stem cell research 3.Grant funding to Planned Parenthood 4.Referrals to Planned Parenthood as a health information/education resource 5.Donations to the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong Global Cancer Campaign (see entry for LiveStrong) 6.Failure to acknowledge the link between previously induced abortion and risk for breast cancer 7.Suggested fertility options including IVF, embryo freezing, egg/sperm donation and surrogacy.
American Council on Science and Health
ACSH has been a fervent advocate for supporting research progress in ESCs (embryonic stem cells) for years, despite the controversy involving the objections of some to using human embryonic tissues in research.
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association applauds President Obama for issuing an Executive Order that will advance stem cell research by lifting existing restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines. The American Diabetes Association has long been a strong advocate for ending the current restrictions on stem cell research.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association website states the following regarding stem cell research: American Heart Association funds meritorious research involving human adult stem cells — because it helps us fight heart disease and stroke. We don’t fund research involving stem cells derived from human embryos or fetal tissue. However…It’s important for research to continue in both cell types. To know how induced adult stem cells need to perform, we must know more about the innate function of embryonic stem cells.
American Lung Association
The American Lung Association recognizes that research with human stem cells offer significant potential to further our understanding of fundamental lung biology and to develop cell-based therapies to treat lung disease. The American Lung Association supports the responsible pursuit of research involving the use of human stem cells.
American Medical Association
The AMA supports the legal availability of mifepristone (RU-486) for appropriate research and, if indicated, clinical practice. The AMA reaffirms its position in support of the use of fetal tissue obtained from induced abortion for scientific research. Our AMA (1) supports continued research employing fetal tissue obtained from induced abortion, including investigation of therapeutic transplantation; and (2) demands that adequate safeguards be taken to isolate decisions regarding abortion from subsequent use of fetal tissue, including the anonymity of the donor, free and non-coerced donation of tissue, and the absence of financial inducement.
American Parkinson’s Disease Association
“We were very pleased on September 28, 2010 that the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of the preliminary injunction pending its review of the appeal of the judicial challenge to federal funding for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. Without getting mired down in all the various terms and courts, what this means is that federal funding for hESC research will continue at least for the time period that it takes for the Court of Appeals to review Judge Lamberth’s August 23rd decision to enjoin funding. You should also know that yesterday the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), of which PAN is a founding member, filed an amicus brief in the District Court. This brief supports and compliments the Department of Justice (DoJ) brief that was filed on behalf of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday.
American Red Cross
A report issued from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in December of 2011 caused concerns that the organization may start advocating for abortion rights. IFRC quotes a widely criticized document issued by Anand Grover, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, which said, “States must take measures to ensure that legal and safe abortion services are available, accessible, and of good quality.” The IFRC report goes on to editorialize, “But the real challenge is to find out how many states will indeed change their policies accordingly.” This may lead some to believe IFRC could eventually declare abortion a human right as Amnesty International did in 2007. Amid much controversy, Amnesty International simply announced that endorsing abortion as a right was a “natural” outgrowth of its 2-year campaign countering violence against women. The American Red Cross also has a Diversity Program which officially recognizes and encourages participation in Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.
American Spinal Injury Association
ASIA is a multidisciplinary organization whose membership is composed of physicians and allied health professionals specifically involved in spinal cord injury management. Current membership numbers 452 of which 85% are physicians. The remaining 15% are nurses, therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals. ASIA positions on the life topics are not clear; ALL is awaiting a response to our inquiry.
American Thoracic Society
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) supports making federal funding available for research using human embryonic stem cells with appropriate guidelines and federal and institutional oversight. “Adult stem cell research approaches should neither distract from nor preempt research for which the goal is to assess the use of pluripotent embryonic stem cells for the treatment of lung diseases.”
Amnesty International US
Amnesty International Launches New Campaign to Push Abortion Worldwide (2014), Amnesty International has been under fire for years for its pro-abortion positions and now the venerable human rights group is launching a new global effort to push abortion on a worldwide scale. “The My Body My Rights campaign encourages young people around the world to know and demand their right to make decisions about their health, body, sexuality and reproduction without state control, fear, coercion or discrimination. It also seeks to remind world leaders of their obligations to take positive action, including through access to health services,” the group says.
Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation is one of many breast cancer research fundraising groups that has yet to acknowledge the link between abortion and breast cancer. While the Avon Foundation does not direct grant funding to Planned Parenthood, the more detailed answer on its website seems to indicate that it might—if it received a grant request that met its criteria. (See indirect linkage below.)
1.The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program was launched in the U.S. in 2004 and global expansion began shortly thereafter. 2.The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in partnership with Avon. Two international agreements form the framework for UNIFEM’s mission and goals: 3.The Beijing Platform for Action expressly called upon governments to reexamine restrictive abortion laws that punish women. 4.Convention on the Elimination for All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). is actually a global Equal Rights Amendment. CEDAW mandates gender re-education, access to abortion services, homosexual and lesbian rights, and the legalization of “voluntary” prostitution as a valid form of professional employment.
Batten Disease Support and Research Association
The BDSRA website contains no organizational policy or position statement on stem cell research. The website does include, however, information on a clinical trial utilizing human neural stem cells conducted at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland Oregon in November 2006.
Breast Cancer Prevention Institute
The Breast Cancer Prevention Institute is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, which educates healthcare professionals and the general public through research publications, lectures, and the internet, on ways to reduce breast cancer incidence.
Children’s Defense Fund
ALL believes that both Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund stand in direct contradiction to everything the Catholic Church holds and teaches on major family life issues including fornication, contraception, abortion, and family life policies.
Randy Engel U.S. Coalition for Life
The name Children’s Defense Fund is obviously a misnomer. Established by Marian Wright Edelman in 1973 as an “agent of social change,” the CDF is in fact not a friend of children. This is one reason why the CDF receives the lion’s share of its operating funds for litigation, research, and “public education” from major anti-life foundations including the proverbial Ford, Rockefeller and Carnegie Foundations —- long-time agents of “social(ist) change” —- and new corporate anti-life entities such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which was instrumental in the establishment of so-called “school-based” clinics promoted by the CDF and its nation-wide affiliates. It also explains why two of the nation’s foremost abortion movers and shakers —- former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala —- have had a long-term and intimate relationship with both Mrs. Edelman and the CDF.
Children’s Leukemia Research Association Inc.
“We place no caveat on what a scholar can and cannot do. [We] hope you will appreciate our office remaining neutral.” In other words, CLRA claims that it has no control over what type of research is conducted with the funds that the organization raises and provides to researchers. 2014: No response to request for update.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Position Statement on Stem Cell Research “The Foundation believes that the responsible, unfettered pursuit of all stem cell research is the surest, most direct way to the development of rational therapies for many diseases and disorders.”
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR)
CAMR, as an organization, was dissolved in 2010 and re-directed all of its assets as well as its website to the Alliance on Regenerative Medicine. See listing for ARM. “The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) is the nation’s leading bipartisan pro-cures coalition. CAMR is comprised of nearly 100 nationally recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, and foundations advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine. CAMR’s advocacy and education outreach focuses on stem cell research, somatic cell nuclear transfer [cloning], and related research fields in which the mission is to develop treatments and cures for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders.”
Conquer Chiari
“That type of research [human embryonic stem cell] is not applicable to any of the projects we have funded or are likely to fund in the near future. You can find a complete list of our projects on our website under the Research tab. As such, we have not taken a position and do not intend to take a position as it is outside the scope of our mission.” Rick Labuda, Executive Director Conquer Chiari E-mail to ALL 7/28/14
Crohn’s& Colitis Foundation of America
“NO, we currently do not fund any stem cell research. However, if we received a grant application for funding that had merit we would not automatically exclude it from funding consideration ”.
Cystic Fybrosis Foundation
2012: “The CF Foundation has not engaged in stem cell research, because it is not a viable treatment option for CF at this time.” Since it is not viable for CF at this time, the CF Foundation does not take a stance on the issue either way. American Life League has marked the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with a caution symbol due to the fact that much of today’s drug development research involves the use of human embryonic stem cell lines.
Doctor Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is known internationally in English as Doctors Without Borders, which has a policy of accepting no U.S. government funds, is one of the few major international humanitarian organizations with an explicit policy of providing abortions in cases where its doctors feel that’s appropriate. (April 2014) MSF does not take a position on abortion or family planning; however we do provide emergency medical aid to people according to their individual needs. That often includes abortion, contraception, sex education in HIV/AIDS prevention programs, as well as prophylactic treatments for victims of sexual violence. Our teams often see women and girls who need medical attention due to injuries suffered during unsafe illegal abortions in places where the practice is illegal or taboo. In more than 20 countries, MSF focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality through care during pregnancy and prenatal consultations, emergency obstetric care, postnatal care, and access to contraception and family planning services.
Easter Seals
“Easter Seals does not take a stance or support Stem Cell Research or Planned Parenthood. Our mission is to provide programs and services for children and adults so they can live more meaningful and independent lives.” Easter Seals did, however, come out in opposition to an amendment to the contraceptive mandate issued under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) proposed by Sen. Roy Blunt in February of 2012 that would have allowed employers to exclude any insurance benefit that they deemed immoral.
Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation did not respond to ALL’s inquiry, however, a search of the organization’s website reveals posts expressing some hope or excitement that stem cell research and/or therapeutic cloning have the potential to be used in the treatment of epilepsy. Additionally, the Epilepsy Foundation’s Predoctoral Research and Training Fellowship has awarded a grant [04-09-14] which will use the induced pluripotent stem cell technique to study human neurons derived from a GEFS+ patient’s skin biopsy. The long-term goal is to develop new epilepsy therapies.
Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor is the largest international relief and development organization in the United States, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy . Founded in 1982, the interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poorest of the poor in 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Programs provide housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief and micro-enterprise assistance in addition to feeding hundreds of thousands of people each day. There are no reports or indications that any of the “aid” provided by Food For The Poor includes “reproductive healthcare” items.
Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure (FSCIPCC )
The Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure (FSCIPCC) is a non-profit educational group dedicated to the prevention, care and cure of spinal cord injuries through public awareness, education and funding research. FSCIPCC positions on the life topics are not clearly stated; the organization’s “research” webpage lists links to other organizations, some of which support hESCR, but then there is this disclaimer: “These links are offered as an information service and are not intended to cover all treatments nor research in the field, nor is it an endorsement of the methods mentioned therein.” ALL is awaiting a response to our inquiry.
Girl Scouts of America
The most extensive and well-researched information that ALL is aware of on the Girl Scouts of America can be found at Speak Now Girl Scouts – http://speaknowgirlscouts.com/. Before ALL began collaborating with Speak Now Girl Scouts, our FAQ section contained the following: http://www.all.org/article/index/id/NDc2OA/. A lengthy list of articles can also be found by entering “Girl Scouts” in the search field at stopp.org.
Girls Incorporated
Through Girls Inc.’s “Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy”®, girls acquire the knowledge and skills for taking charge of and making informed decisions about their sexual health. Exploring values, practicing responses in different situations, and thinking about their futures, help girls identify ways and reasons to avoid early pregnancy [including contraception] and prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Girls Inc. has, in the past, been associated with Planned Parenthood Federation of America in terms of PPFA “sexuality educators” conducting sex education classes at Girls Inc. affiliates and use of PPFA materials as resources. No current indications of continued partnership could be located as of this posting (06/17/14).
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat, is an international, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, which was founded in 1976. Habitat has been devoted to building “simple, decent, and affordable” housing. A number of criticisms (safety, cost effectiveness, affiliate relations) are listed on Wikipedia, but none concern the life issues.
Huntington’s Disease Society of America
The main areas of concern are highlighted in the template we have provided to you.http://www.hdsa.org/images/content/1/1/11976.pdf. President Obama signs executive order lifting the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research [3/9/2009]. A debt of gratitude is also owed to those in the HD community who raised awareness of this issue and advocated for reversal of the ban.
Jerome Lejeune Foundation, USA
The mission of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation USA is to raise and disburse funds in order to provide research, care, and advocacy to benefit those with genetic intellectual disabilities in accordance with the medical and ethical standards of Dr. Jérôme Lejeune, the father of modern genetics. This is carried out by conducting, promoting, and funding therapeutically oriented research; by assisting in the development of healthcare services for these individuals; and by serving as their advocate in a spirit of respect for the dignity of all human persons.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF SCIENTIFIC GUIDELINES (page 9) 4.0 HUMAN EMBRYOS IN STEM CELL RESEARCH Statement of Policy JDRF funds research for the derivation of hES from excess embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) for reproductive purposes. This includes stored embryos that are no longer needed for reproductive purposes and embryos determined to be clinically unsuitable for uterine implantation.
Kay Yow Cancer Fund
While there is no evidence that the Kay Yow Cancer Fund funds any immoral research, it does provide financial grants to researchers at facilities which are known for supporting and/or conducting human embryonic stem cell research. These facilities include Baylor College of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The John Hopkins University, University of California (San Francisco), University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University. Additionally, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund also lists as “Founding Partners” Nike and GlaxoSmithKline. While Nike and GSK are providing funds to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and not receiving them, we note that both companies have been pro-life boycott targets for many years due to their unwavering financial support of Planned Parenthood.
Lance Armstrong Foundation (Live Strong)
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s executive order lifting the Bush administration’s restrictions on federally financed human embryonic stem cell research: “President Obama has made good on his pledge to separate science from politics and lift the federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. This is a day the American cancer community has been waiting for and we’re celebrating the great news. The LIVESTRONG Foundation will add an additional $100,000 to Mayor Bloomberg’s matching challenge for Planned Parenthood’s cancer services fund.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
LLS supports the use of human ES cells for research and the development of therapies whenever the proposed research is judged meritorious by appropriately constituted scientific review committees and the board of directors of LLS.
March of Dimes National Office
Seven Reasons to Boycott March of Dimes: 1. Emphasis on pre-natal diagnosis of birth defects, for which abortion is often the “treatment”, 2. Close ties to the eugenics movement, 3. Support of experimentation on live babies in the womb and on tissue from aborted babies, 4. Support of federally-funded, embryo-destructive stem cell research and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, 5. Dishonesty in ignoring the connection between prior abortions and premature birth, 6. Grants to Planned Parenthood, 7. “Neutral” stance on abortion, which accepts and encourages abortion by its silence.
Mary Kay Foundation
The Mary Kay Foundation provides grants to accredited medical schools throughout the United States for innovative research for cancers that affect women (ovarian, uterine, cervical and breast). The Foundation does not award grants for research involving human embryonic stem cells and/or aborted fetal material. E-mail to ALL 7/23/14
MaterCare International
MaterCare International (MCI) is an association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children both unborn and born throughout the world, through new initiatives of service, training, research, and advocacy, in accordance with the contemporary teaching contained in the EncyclicalEvangelium Vitae (St. John Paul II) and reiterated in the first Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus caritas est (God is Love).
MaterCare: One Doctor’s Courageous but Lonely Battle to Reduce Maternal Mortality: In 1981, Canadian OB-GYN Robert Walley began working to improve pregnancy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Nigeria. For over 20 years, Dr. Walley and the organization he founded, MaterCare International (MCI), have been providing an approach to reducing maternal mortality that works and that doesn’t involve promoting abortion or flooding villages with contraceptives. MaterCare specializes in providing mothers with care that respects their dignity and offers life and hope.
Mercury One, Inc.
Mission Statement: “We don’t stand between government aid and people in need. We stand with people in need so they no longer need the government.”Motto: “Malice towards none and charity for all.”
• General Fund—efforts to “improve the human condition spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally” one heart, one mind, one soul at a time.
• Israel Support Fund—Mercury One has committed to work in immediately sending two shipping cargo containers of medical and relief supplies to Israel. These supplies will be shared with the Israeli Defense Forces and Israeli hospitals. The hospitals we will be sharing these supplies with treat both Jews and Palestinians.
• Border Crisis—Support organizations at the border to supply food, clothing, water, and other relief to those children and families in most need. Money from this fund will also be used to support and provide relief to the organizations, families and individuals associated with protecting and defending the border as Mercury One recognizes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual toll on these individuals.
• Disaster Relief Fund—to help people and communities prepare for disasters, and when tragedy strikes these funds are used to help rebuild the lives and neighborhoods of those affected.
• Military and veterans—funds will be used to support active military and veterans, including those affected by the recent Fort Hood shooting, those suffering from PTSD, and those who have been otherwise injured serving our country.
• Values and Voices—Mercury One recognizes that a war over culture is taking place, and it looks to promote amazing music, art, books, and education wherever they are found. Donations to this fund will be used to support the values and voices of those who are developing culture in creative, honorable ways.
• Children—Donations to this fund will be used to protect children against human and sex trafficking, provide food and clothing to children in need, and support the children of military families
No funding is provided for research purposes; no concerns found regarding life topics. Issues regarding organizational accountability and/or transparency as well as charity ratings are left to the potential donor for discernment.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA supports and funds research involving human embryonic stem cells; grant information can be found on the MDA website.
My Friend’s Place
In collaboration with the leading social service providers and educational institutions in the region and over 400 volunteers, My Friend’s Place offers a free and comprehensive continuum of care that combines emergency necessities with therapeutic, health and education services through three program areas: Safe Haven Program, Transformative Education Program and Health & Well Being Program. My Friend’s Place is not government or religiously affiliated, is 99% privately funded and serves nearly half of the homeless youth (18-25, although a number of minors are also served) population in Los Angeles County.
Concerns: The Health & Well Being Program provides youth with “clinically and culturally appropriate” medical, health, and mental health services. This program includes health education workshops to teach “creative and realistic strategies” addressing the most common health threats among homeless youth—to include “sexual health issues.” It is not known whether contraception and/or abortion are suggested, recommended, provided and/or referred for. My Friend’s Place now lists as one of its many partners Clean Needles Now, an organization which provides syringe exchange for intravenous drug users.
National Brain Tumor Society
“Very little brain tumor research utilizes embryonic stem cells. That being said there are some federally approved cell lines that researchers do use to understand how brain tumors evolve. Brains develop until a person’s mid-twenties and it is believed that many brain tumors evolve during that development process. NBTS is committed to funding and supporting any research that may lead to improved therapies for our brain tumor patients.”
National Breast Cancer Foundation
While we do not find any link between the NBCF and Planned Parenthood or human embryonic stem cell research, we are disappointed to find that the NBCF neglects to make a bold and public statement condemning either one. Further, the NBCF website fails to fully educate visitors on the documented links between oral contraceptive use and prior induced abortions and future risk for breast cancer. In its FAQ section, the NBCF notes that there is an increased risk of breast cancer for women who have been using birth control pills for more than five years, but goes on to say that the risk is small. It also notes that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is definitely a risk factor; however, the NBCF fails to inform readers that combined oral contraceptives contain the same drugs as combined hormone replacement therapy and that both oral contraceptives and HRT were classified as Class 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005.
National Children’s Leukemia Foundation
The NCLF Research Center is staffed by leading scientists in the fields of molecular biology, stem cell biology, hematology and oncology, who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and develop innovative treatment technologies. Our current focus is studying the relationship between cancer cells and adult stem cells, the results of which will impact both current clinical practice and the future design of cancer therapies. In particular, we believe our efforts will lead to the development of new therapeutic schemes for AML (acute myeloid leukemia), a particularly rare and aggressive form of leukemia. Research using Adult Stem Cells: Stem cell research represents the cutting edge of cancer research today. All NCLF research is conducted using stem cells from adult donors or stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord or placenta after birth. The NCLF does NOT use embryonic stem cells in its research.
National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation did not respond to ALL’s questionnaire on the life issues but did send a letter to our independent researcher stating that, “At the present time, we do not have any policies on the above mentioned subjects” [abortion, human embryonic stem cell research and research involving aborted fetal body parts].
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Society believes that all promising avenues that could lead to the cure or prevention of MS or relieve its most devastating symptoms by repairing MS damage must be explored—including expanding the stem cell lines that are available for federally funded research.
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
The Foundation supports research in a wide variety of areas that may use animal models, human tissue, and human subjects. The Foundation requires that all individuals and institutions that conduct research using human tissue — including stem cells — with Foundation funds adhere to all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the use of this tissue, including IRB procedures and approvals.
http://www.pva.org/atf/cf/%7BCA2A0FFB-6859-4BC1-BC96-6B57F57F0391%7D/Research_2015%20P&P.pdf
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
“No, we don’t [have a policy regarding human embryonic stem cell research]. We actually don’t have a specific policy that forbids it, but we are not actively seeking projects in that area and technology has advanced to the point where there is no need to use cells from embryos.”
Pencils of Promise (PoP)
Pencils of Promise, also known as PoP for short, is a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. Pencils of Promise was founded by Adam Braun in October 2008. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with school-building operations in Laos, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ghana.
Polycarp Research Institute
The Polycarp Research Institute is a non-profit organization (501 C3) dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of high-quality research designed to enhance the physical, psychological and spiritual condition of mankind. TPRI will help researchers with projects that are designed to reveal the truths contained within Nature’s laws. TPRI will support research efforts that improve the spiritual condition of men and women, and will not promote methods or intentions that are inconsistent with the ethical and moral guidelines of the Catholic Church; however, not all of the research that TPRI supports will necessarily contain a moral dimension (e.g., research to find the cure to cancer, to treat ectopic pregnancy etc). It is anticipated that TPRI will serve as a resource center and not solely as a facility that performs research.
Ride for Life
Ride for Life, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation begun in 1997 by ALS patients, caregivers and those who care about people living with ALS. The first Ride began in 1998. The organization is called “Ride for Life” because of its signature annual event. Each May during ALS Awareness Month, ALS patients ride their electric wheelchairs for multiple days down the highways and byways to raise funds for a cure and create awareness about ALS.
The mission of Ride for Life is to raise public awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), help research in finding a cure, support ALS patients and their families, and provide the ALS community with the latest ALS related news, information and inspiration. The Ride for Life positions on life topics are not clear. The website indicates that 50% of all funds raised go to research, but specific research organizations/facilities are not named. ALL is awaiting a response to our inquiry .
Rotary International
Founded in February 1905, Rotary International (RI) is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that describes itself as “A Global Network of Community Volunteers.” It consists of more than 32,000 local Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries. RI claims to have nearly 1.2 million members. Rotary has tackled problems such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.
But, like many other organizations that were founded for ostensibly altruistic reasons, and may even continue to do some good work, the problem with Rotary International is what it has been turned into by certain pro-abortion and population control zealots. Specifically, the Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth and Sustainable Development works to address the “population crisis” around the world. Rotary International: 1.funds UNICEF, 2.allows its chapters to fund Planned Parenthood, 3.works closely with the UNFPA, which backs abortion and works hand-in-hand with the Chinese family planning officials who rely on forced abortions to enforce the nation’s one-child policy, 4.works alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in developing countries (https://www.rotary.org/en/pakistan-polio-vaccinators-earn-community-trust-spite-danger).
Sabrina Cohen Foundation for Stem Cell Research
The Sabrina Cohen Foundation (SCF) funds scientists dedicated to advancing the field of Regenerative Medicine, primarily focused on conditions in the Central Nervous System. In 2009, SCF donated its first research grant of $25,000 to the University of California, Irvine, where studies of restoring mobility in paralyzed rats and research on spinal cord injuries yielded the world’s first-ever FDA approved embryonic stem cell treatment to be tested in humans.
Salvation Army USA
A reading of the Salvation Army’s position makes it clear that it does support abortion – in the cases of “life of the mother” and “fetal deformity” – as well as some cases of rape and incest. The Salvation Army also supports abortifacient birth control.
Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute
Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute (SCPI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing scientific research, education and resources to encourage safe, moral, pro-life medicines and therapeutics. The founding mission of Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute (SCPI) is to:
• Conduct scientific studies to determine the public health consequences of utilizing aborted fetal material for biomedical purposes.
• Educate key opinion leaders about the pervasive use of fresh aborted fetal tissue and other unethical materials in biomedical research.
• Develop a certification stamp so that consumers can be assured that their vaccines, drugs, cosmetics, and foods and beverages do not contain aborted fetal material.
• Be a beacon to other scientists to reject the use of aborted fetal material so that they can align their commercial practices to religious truths.
A new generation of scientists and medical professionals is rising, full of strength and hope and founded on the respect of the human being from his/her beginning to natural death. In working on safe vaccines and effective stem cell therapy, the scientists and students at SCPI seek to provide the freedom to all Americans to choose moral treatment for themselves and for their children and in this way to participate in the culture of life in regards to disease treatment and prevention. Our cadre of dedicated professionals realize that the true promise of moral stem cell research must be advanced to help those with degenerative diseases, both now and for future generations.
Spina Bifida Association
The Spina Bifida Association did not respond to ALL’s questionnaire but did inform our independent researcher that “the Spina Bifida Association has not adopted a policy statement on cloning, stem cells or fetal research.” The SBA Women’s Health Information Sheet includes the statement that, “Pregnancy is possible for almost all women with Spina Bifida so appropriate contraception is strongly recommended if pregnancy is not currently desired” and artificial forms are referred to. The information sheet also highly recommends the HPV vaccine.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds cannot be used for human embryonic stem cell research. This is not a statement on whether or not we think it should be supported; the decision is based on the fact that many of our donors and volunteers – our source of funds – would not be comfortable supporting it. Stem cell transplantations not using human embryonic stem cells – using cord blood or matched donors – are often used in treating childhood cancer patients, and our funds may be used in this non-controversial area of research.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The following information is lengthy, however it boils down to the fact that there are doctors/researchers on staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who are either supportive of or involved in human embryonic stem cell research and SJCRH refuses to reply to ALL’s written correspondence concerning these staff.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Komen for the Cure founder hosts fundraiser for top gay activist organization.
Former Komen Exec Ready to Fight “Planned Bullyhood”.
Komen Grants Flowing to Planned Parenthood .
Komen Sends Millions to Embryonic Stem Cell Research Centers .
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Donated $7.5M to Planned Parenthood in 2009 .
Planned Parenthood Deepens Link to Breast-Cancer Group
SGK now has a webpage dedicated to defending its involvement with Planned Parenthood, including message points and a letter from a “pro-life Catholic.”
The Arc
The Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With respect to sexuality, individuals have a right to:
• Sexual expression and education, reflective of their own cultural, religious and moral values and of social responsibility;
• Individualized education and information to encourage informed decision-making, including education about such issues as reproduction, marriage and family life, abstinence, safe sexual practices, sexual orientation, sexual abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases; and
• Protection from sexual harassment and from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
With respect to sexuality, individuals have a responsibility to consider the values, rights, and feelings of others. With respect to the potential for having and raising children, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities have the right to:
• Education and information about having and raising children that is individualized to reflect each person’s unique ability to understand;
• Make their own decisions related to having and raising children with supports as necessary;
• Make their own decisions related to using birth control methods within the context of their personal or religious beliefs;
• Have control over their own bodies; and
• Be protected from sterilization solely because of their disability.
American Life League believes these positions imply, or can be interpreted to mean, that individuals with intellectual disabilities have the right to receive “sex education” (which includes information on “safe sex,” contraception, and the acceptance of homosexual relationships as normal), information on abortion as a viable option to making “decisions related to having … children” and information on sterilization as an acceptable procedure if freely chosen. Calls and e-mails to the ARC asking for clarification of these positions have been answered.
The Endocrine Society
Endocrine Society Supports Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research. Specifically, The Endocrine Society supports the following positions:
• An increase in NIH funding for stem cell research;
• An increase in the number of embryonic stem cell lines for NIH-funded research;
• A broadening of the scope of federally funded research to include cells generated through somatic cell nuclear transfer;
• Availability of federal funding for the derivation of embryonic stem cells from discarded in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos and through somatic cell nuclear transfer;
• Adherence to the highest ethical and scientific research standards; and
• Federal oversight of embryonic stem cell research to assure ethical standards are always met.
The Iacocca Foundation
The Iacocca Foundation is a 509(a)3 supporting organization of The Iacocca Family Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to fund innovative and promising diabetes research programs and projects that will lead to a cure for the disease and alleviate complications caused by it. The Foundation does not make grants for: Projects not on type 1 diabetes; research using embryonic stem cells, human fetal tissue or human embryos; buildings or capital improvements; hospital and university general fund drives; and general operating costs of hospitals, research institutes, buildings, clinical care clinics, etc.
UNICEF
UNICEF is, undoubtedly, the most well known and, probably, the most popular UN agency among Americans. What is not well known, however, is UNICEF’s evolution from a life affirming, child saving and Nobel peace prize-winning foundation to a contraceptive-distributing, abortion-performing and sterilization-providing partner of some of the world’s most notorious “family planning” orgs. Vatican cuts off UNICEF http://www.crisismagazine.com/1997/catholic-campaign-holy-see-cuts-off-unicef.
United Cerebral Palsy
UCP educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP works to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network that has helped millions. UCP does not conduct laboratory or clinical research and none of the donations made to UCP are used for research purposes.
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
“The current UMDF Grant Review Committee follows the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines. UMDF has received only one request involving embryonic stem cells and it was not considered for funding. Given the broad scope of potential and ethical considerations, UMDF feels a blanket position is difficult and therefore addresses each research request on a case by case study.” Note: NIH guidelines allow for human embryonic stem cell research.
United Way
Funds donated to the United Way can go directly to an organization that seemingly is in business for only one reason – to kill babies in the womb. The web site for the National Abortion Federation lists the United Way as a vehicle to donate money to their organization. The National Abortion Federation is a professional association of abortionists. The United Way web site formerly stated that the agency took a “position of neutrality” on the abortion issue and that they did so because they did “not want any single issue to overshadow our mission ‘to increase the capacity of people to care for one another’ The UW position statement further stated that “no United Way funds are currently used, or have ever been used to support abortion services. In many communities, blatantly anti-life, anti-family groups like Planned Parenthood are receiving funds — one needs only investigate the participating agencies listed on the web site or perform an Internet search of “United Way Planned Parenthood”. The UW claims that “UW funded programs through Planned Parenthood include community health maintenance, e.g. communicable disease prevention; medical care service; family planning; health education; public awareness service; and family preservation and strengthening services, e.g. counseling and family life education. Nevertheless, this is an often-used excuse by agencies that fail to recognize that there is no accountability for exactly how their funds are used by participating agencies or any evidence that funds used for stated programs are not freeing up funds that can be used for abortion services. The funding of Planned Parenthood in any way shape or form is necessarily the funding of evil practices – no matter how one looks at it.
Water.org
Water.org is an American nonprofit developmental aid organization resulting from the merger between H2O Africa, co-founded by Matt Damon, and WaterPartners, co-founded by Gary White. Its goal is to provide aid to regions of developing countries that do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Water.org’s projects are funded through grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Its loan program, known as WaterCredit, utilizes microcredit to fund water sanitation projects.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund itself is anti-human in its policies, and definitely subscribes to the “people are pollution” falsehood. One of WWF’s annual reports stated “increasing [human] population causes a drain on natural resources, which is geometric, not arithmetic… Science cannot be expected to supplant the vital processes of nature.”
Obama fills Global Development Council with population control advocates (Feb 2013) William K. Reilly is a former administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency and former president of the World Wildlife Fund, a wealthy group that promotes family planning for the conservation of natural resources. He serves on the board of the Packard Foundation, known for spending millions on population control programs, abortion training in Africa, and the marketing of mifepritone (RU-486).
Wounded Warrior Project
Mission: To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members; to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other; to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. While ALL finds no concerns regarding life topics (WWP does not fund clinical research), there are numerous Internet articles and discussions regarding the financial management of WWP. Wounded Warrior Project spends 58% of donations on veterans programs. http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/08/wounded-warriors-project-a-legal-scam/.
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
The YMCA partners with Planned Parenthood in a number of ways including the renting of its facilities to PP and the sponsorship of seminars presented by PP. The YMCA was previously a member of the National Family Sexuality Education Month, a coalition of organizations that promote family communication about sexuality; NFSEM was organized and promoted by Planned Parenthood and its materials were produced by PP.
Note: Web searches for information tying YMCA and PP are often difficult due to the fact that information is not readily available on either organization’s national website. Rather, ties can be found when searching the websites of each organization’s local chapters and reviewing local chapter annual reports.
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)
From the YWCA History timeline: 1967—After thoughtful and extensive debate, the 2000 delegates at the YWCA Convention adopted the first of three abortion resolutions leading to the freedom of choice position.
1970 – YWCA convention voted to emphasize the importance of repealing laws restricting or prohibiting abortions performed by a duly licensed physician. http://www.ywca.org/site/c.cuIRJ7NTKrLaG/b.7515891/k.C524/History.htm
The YWCA supported the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and opposed any amendment that would prohibit the coverage of abortion. The YWCA also supported the HHS rule which required employers to provide contraceptive health coverage for all employees. Two of many other examples below.
Article on YWCA’s national blog declares blatant support of Planned Parenthood (May 2012) Planned Parenthood,
YWCA, Girl Scouts Head Pro-Abortion Conference (Dec. 2012) Examples of partnership with Planned Parenthood.
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June 15th/16th 2013:
GREAT EVENT OF THE YEAR OF THE FAITH:
DAY CELEBRATING THE EVANGELIUM VITAE
FAITHFUL TO LIFE
This gathering in Rome on June 15 and 16 is so very important. It will offer the opportunity for the faithful from around the world to gather with the Holy Father in a communal witness to the sacred value of all life: The lives of the aged, the lives of the sick, the lives of the dying, the lives of the unborn, the lives of the physically and mentally challenged, and the lives of all those who suffer. In addition, this event will offer the occasion to celebrate, affirm, and encourage all those who so tenderly and with selfabandonment follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd by tending to the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of those who are aged, disabled, ill, unborn, homebound, dying or who suffer in any way. It is our hope that the number of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square will be so great that all the world will be able to hear from Rome our Church’s choral expression of the very heart of Jesus’ redemptive mission: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10, Cf. Evangelium Vitae, 1).