The first thing you should know about my health center in Flossmoor, Illinois: It's incredibly busy. All of the time. And we wouldn't want it any other way.

I'm Yvonne, a nurse practitioner here at Planned Parenthood of Illinois. I want to take you through a typical day here to help you see just how much your support matters to patients.

First, simply showing up to work means weaving through protesters outside the health center. They try to stop everyone who approaches the doors — even me! — but our awesome volunteer escorts make sure everyone gets into the center safely.

Once I'm inside, the whole mood shifts. Inside these walls, everything is about showing up for patients in every way we can. It's a sanctuary of support and care, without judgment.

We kick off each day with a morning huddle, where our medical staff reviews the patients we'll be seeing that day. Are they new patients, or here for a follow-up visit? Are they traveling for abortion or gender-affirming care because of bans where they live? Will specialists need to be brought in for any complications? How can we provide the best possible support for each patient?

On general appointment days, people come in for birth control, STI screenings, Pap tests, or with concerns like pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding. On procedure days, we focus on providing abortion care.

Every patient who comes in has a unique story — and I'm proud that our team cares about the whole patient. We're focused on their health care needs — but we also take the time to listen and understand their financial circumstances, the way their home life or relationship affects their care, the individual and personal situation they are in. It's all about the care.

That's why I love working at Planned Parenthood, and why I'm so grateful for supporters like you. Together, we can make sure that every single person who walks through our doors gets the care that's right for them, — with dignity and compassion, no matter what.

It's true here at my health center in Flossmoor, and in every one of the nearly 600 Planned Parenthood health centers in communities all across the United States.

With so many people counting on us right now, we need you sticking by us. That's why Planned Parenthood Federation of America has set a goal of 10,000 donors by midnight tomorrow. Make a gift today so my health center and others across the country can continue to deliver abortion care and other services.

Your gift will also help Planned Parenthood continue to advocate for sexual and reproductive health care, provide sex education to millions of people each year, and more.

GOAL: 10,000 Donors Deadline: Midnight Tomorrow Make your tax-deductible gift to Planned Parenthood today. MAKE MY GIFT

I'm so grateful for supporters like you. Your commitment helps health centers provide care. So thanks — and stay tuned, because I have more to share over the next couple of days.

Yvonne Oldaker, Nurse Practitioner
Planned Parenthood of Illinois

P.S. We need your generosity more than ever — the future of our reproductive freedom depends on it. But if you aren't in a place to give this year or already made your year‑end gift, we understand that. If you'd like to receive fewer messages from us for the rest of the year, you can submit a request here.