Voices of Care

“I know firsthand the good that Planned Parenthood brings to our community. In 2009 following an annual exam at Planned Parenthood, I had an abnormal pap result with precancerous cells.

Though this was extremely frightening for me, Planned Parenthood staff helped and guided me through the process. Thankfully, I was able to have the precancerous cells removed before they may have developed into cancer.

I was a college student at the time, so Planned Parenthood's affordable services and compassionate care may have — quite literally — saved my life.”

"I know the sexual health education Planned Parenthood provides in North Dakota is making a difference in the lives of our youth when I get notes that read ‘I really liked the consent portion of tonight. There was a time that I know I was in a situation that I could not have given consent and I figured it was my fault. After tonight I know it wasn’t’."

“I went to Planned Parenthood because my general practitioner was not trained to insert an IUD for me, because I have not had any children. I wanted the IUD because I know I do not want to have children. They recommended that I make an appointment at Planned Parenthood.

When I went to the clinic, the staff was welcoming, accommodating, and nonjudgmental. They informed me about the full range of birth control options available to me, and let me make my own decision on which option was right for me.

Additionally, the affordability of Planned Parenthood was amazing. I went there expecting to pay hundreds of dollars for my IUD. When I got the bill, I was surprised to see that it was only 10 dollars! It was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders.”

"I think my story is a common one. I was just out of college working hard to find my spot in the world. I made the decision along with my Planned Parenthood health care provider to get an IUD. I did not want to use my parents' insurance and could not afford the upfront cost. Planned Parenthood worked with me to find a funding option that made this long-lasting, reliable form of birth control a financial reality."

"I’m a small town North Dakota girl. What you may not know is that sex education isn’t taught here. We’re certainly not taught about birth control. So, where do small town North Dakotans go for help and advice when they’re sexually active? My mom told me there was a Planned Parenthood in Moorhead (about 35 miles away from me), where they could help me and get me birth control when I felt I needed it.

When the time came and I knew I would be having sex with my boyfriend I was so in love with, I went to Planned Parenthood in Moorhead. They were very kind and helpful. I had no job, so I wasn’t charged. They taught me about sex, birth control, STD’s and gave me birth control pills. I continued going there for about 6 years. As a result, Planned Parenthood is responsible for me not becoming a teen mom because there was no way I would be talked out of having sex with my boyfriend.

For my fellow North Dakotans, the Planned Parenthood in our state is educational only. They do not have a clinic nor do they dispense birth control. The Planned Parenthood in Moorhead provides education, screenings, and birth control. The nearest Planned Parenthood to us that performs abortions is in the Twin Cities. If you don’t like Planned Parenthood because 3% of its activities are made up of terminating pregnancies, please ask yourself how many more abortions or teen pregnancies we would have if not for Planned Parenthood?"

“I can’t imagine what I would have done without Planned Parenthood. I went there when I was younger to get birth control because I didn’t want to put an emotional or financial burden on my mom. Planned Parenthood was friendly, helpful, and answered all of the questions I had – but most importantly, they let me take control of my own body.

I’ve always known I didn’t want to have kids. Planned Parenthood allowed me to go to college, have a career, and live the life I wanted without the worry of an unplanned pregnancy.

I always knew that I would somehow give back to Planned Parenthood to thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”

"I am a lifelong North Dakotan who currently resides in Fargo. I am in public health and I specialize in infectious disease management, including sexually-transmitted infections. Planned Parenthood has an important role in access to reproductive health, STI screening, HPV-related and breast cancer screenings, sexuality education, and pregnancy prevention. No other health care organization can provide the services that Planned Parenthood is responsible for.

In previous years, I was able to seek birth control counseling and medication through Planned Parenthood, which was not covered by the health insurance I was on. This allowed me to delay becoming pregnant until I was physically, financially, and emotionally ready to be a mother. I have never had to have an abortion because of Planned Parenthood. The lives of myself, my husband, and our 2-year-old daughter are better for it. Funding Planned Parenthood is a pro-life stance."

I work at Planned Parenthood because I know the importance that access to contraception can have on a woman's life. I feel privileged to work with women every day to help them reach their goals and realize their full potential. As a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood, I provide patients with more than a prescription for birth control. I provide them with education about their bodies, I instill confidence in their ability to make good decisions about their health, and I provide a safe place to ask questions about their reproductive and sexual health. The most rewarding part of my job is that at the end of every day, I know that I have made a difference in someone's life.