John,

With great sadness, I share that iconic 40 Days for Life leader Jay Walton died last week following a medical emergency. He was just 41 years old.

Many of us just enjoyed our last memories with Jay at the recent 40 Days for Life Post-Roe Symposium in Orlando--even attending Mass with him the morning he died.

Jay led the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Owings Mills, Maryland, personally standing vigil more than 300 hours and recruiting more than 130 prayer warriors to join him. His heroic service led the landlord to quit renting property to the abortion facility.

Watch this tribute video honoring Jay's life:

To watch the video, click the image or visit:

youtube.com/watch?v=uKOKq0CBuPY

Please donate to support Jay's wife and two daughters by visiting givesendgo.com/JayWalton.

Jay and his campaign followed the abortion facility to its new location in nearby Lutherville. As a Ph.D. professor of music and a professional musician, Jay could often be found leading his vigil participants in song--with his tuba!

"Whether it was running a 40 Days for Life campaign, testifying before the Maryland state legislature, or starting a Maryland Right to Life chapter in Baltimore, Jay was always eager to build a culture of life," wrote Washington, D.C., 40 Days for Life leader Dr. Michael New. Dr. New added that Jay selflessly traveled to the nation's capital to help him do outreach for the Washington campaign.

"Jay willingly gave up his Sunday to assist me. He made a long trip from Baltimore to Washington during a hot day to help man a pro-life street fair table for a few hours. That tells you the kind of person Jay was."

Catonsville, Maryland, 40 Days for Life leader Kim Frazer, who worked closely with Jay, said she was grateful for the opportunity to attend the symposium with him. "It was a privilege for us to spend his last days on earth--to enjoy the symposium--with him," she said. "He will keep inspiring other people to do pro-life work."

While Jay made headlines for his selfless service to unborn babies and their moms, his greatest legacy is his family.

Jay left behind his beloved wife, Susan, and two daughters.

You can donate to support the family by visiting givesendgo.com/JayWalton.

Rest in Peace, Jay Walton

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." --Revelation 21:4

For life,

Shawn Carney

President/CEO, 40 Days for Life