We're in the heart of the holiday season, just about a week away from the end of a long and challenging year. What better time to take a collective breath and get in touch with our feelings a little bit?

Here's what I want you to know, more than anything, from me and the whole Planned Parenthood family: We are incredibly grateful for you. You, and everyone else who is part of this movement. I'm talking about all the supporters who give so generously to sustain and expand our work.

I'm talking about the volunteers and activists who dedicate themselves to protecting reproductive rights and access to care.

And I'm talking about every single patient who trusts the staff at Planned Parenthood health centers to deliver the high-quality care they deserve.

That trust, that commitment, that support — they all mean so much. Thank you, truly.

I know this year hasn't been easy. (Though if I'm being honest, I've been in this movement for a long time, and we haven't had an easy year yet.) It's hard when we know so many people are being denied access to care, denied the fundamental right to control what happens with their body and their future. It's hard when lawmakers, judges, and others with so much power use it to diminish our freedom. It's hard, no doubt about it.

But each and every time we have asked you to come together and rise up to defend reproductive health and rights, you've been there. Our movement is undaunted and unafraid — unbreakable as long as we stick together. And each and every single day, new faces and new voices join this work.

Let that inspire you, the same way it inspires me. Let that motivate you to keep pushing forward. And make no mistake, we must keep pushing.

We have to keep pushing because the threats we face aren't going away. From Congress on down, there will be new attempts to ban abortion and restrict access to care. This spring, a federal jury in Texas will hear a sham lawsuit seeking to shut down Planned Parenthood health centers with $1.8 billion in damages. We followed — and continue to abide by the law. Yet it seems that with every passing year, the attacks only escalate.

We also have to keep pushing forward because there are so many people who are counting on us in this critical moment. People who will be forced to remain pregnant or flee their home states to get the care they need — and that's if they can even find the resources to do so. People who need to know they can rely on Planned Parenthood health centers wherever they go. People who need an open door, who deserve a safe and compassionate place to receive high-quality, affordable care without stigma.

I'm thinking about those folks, now near the end of the year, in the heart of the holiday season. I'm thinking about you and Planned Parenthood supporters across the country from all walks of life. I'm thinking about how we can all come together to build the future we want, the future we deserve, the future we demand: one where everyone has access to the information and care they need, no matter who they are or where they live.

I'm proud to be part of that. I'm glad you're part of it, too.

Best wishes to you and yours.