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18th September 2020
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** In this issue:
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NEWS: Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Bill introduced to the Dáil (#eas)

NEWS: Pressure grows on Stephen Donnelly to stop home abortions (#eas)

WATCH: Peadar Toibín Raises ‘Illegal Abortion’ in the Dáil (#pt)

JOBS: Students For Life seeking Student Liaison Officer (#SFL)

REGISTER: PLC Network - Free Communications Training on 23rd September (#commstraining)

REGISTER: PLC Network Webinar on 3rd October featuring Peadar Tóibín TD (#webinar)

REGISTER: PLC National Conference streams live from Dublin on 31st October (#conf)

VOLUNTEER: (#volcc) Community Connect seeking volunteers (#volcc)

JOIN: VHI Women's Mini Marathon Team Community Connect (#ccmm)

SIGN UP: (#virtualintern) (#virtualintern) Virtual Intern Programme (#virtualintern)
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Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Bill introduced to the Dáil ()
In a widely flagged development, People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny introduced a Bill in the Dáil earlier this week which would legalise euthanasia/assisted suicide if passed.

Shockingly, the Bill was introduced during Palliative Care Week, which is a programme of events celebrating the work of palliative care teams across the country who help terminally ill patients live life well. Tellingly, the strongest opposition to the Bill has come from Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine Consultants.

In every single jurisdiction in which euthanasia/assisted suicide has been introduced, the number of people dying in this way has increased exponentially over time. In addition to the sheer numbers, these regimes have catastrophic consequences for older people and people with disabilities.

For many, the choice to die becomes the duty to die, because they feel like a burden on their families and carers.

Unsurprisingly, the media is giving supporters of the Bill lots of airtime and column inches but on the flipside it is most encouraging to see growing numbers of palliative care and healthcare workers speaking out in opposition to the Bill.

We encourage you to support our friends at Hope Ireland, who have been in contact with politicians about this issue this week.

Click below to sign up for updates
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Pressure grows on Stephen Donnelly to stop home abortions ()
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So far, over 3,500 emails have been sent to TDs ands Senators to call on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to immediately end the practice of home abortions. It’s a really encouraging response to the campaign we started less than a fortnight ago!

It is also great to see more members of the Oireachtas speaking up on the issue and seeking answers from the Minister for Health. We should take the time to thank these dedicated Oireachtas members who don’t shirk their responsibility in putting the hard questions to the government.

In reply to a Dáil question this week from Seán Canney TD on ‘DIY’ abortions, the Minister for Health reiterated that the ‘home abortion’ regime introduced by his predecessor Simon Harris will only be “reviewed” when the Covid-19 crisis comes to an end.

This is the second time Stephen Donnelly has publicly pulled back from the commitment given by Simon Harris that ‘home abortions” would cease as a practice once the restrictions surrounding Covid-19 are lifted.

Several TDs, including Carol Nolan and Éamon Ó Cuív, have previously raised concerns with the Minister for Health about permitting ‘DIY’ abortions, following the deaths of two women in England earlier this year as a direct result of home abortions.

Send an instant message to your TDs and Senators here ([link removed])
In response to an additional question from Carol Nolan on whether there have been any adverse outcomes regarding the impact of home abortions on women’s health, the Minister for Health responded this week that he was not aware of any such incidents but stated that he had referred Deputy Nolan’s question to the HSE and asked them to reply to the Deputy on the matter.

The sad reality from the statistics already made public in England is that ‘DIY’ abortions have led to a marked increase in the number of abortions taking place there and as we know from the leaked and much publicised reports, it has also led to the deaths of two women and numerous hospitalisations following botched abortions. The Minister for Health here is fully aware of the developments in England. It’s why his decision to press ahead with home abortions here is all the more irresponsible.

On a positive note, in the space of two weeks, it has gone from no one pressuring the Minister to end home abortions to a situation where he is receiving thousands of emails on the issue. In the interests of women and their unborn babies, let’s keep the pressure going! If you haven’t already done so, please do so today. We need to keep the pressure on.

Click below to watch this short video featuring Carol Nolan TD and others highlighting why the Government must stop DIY 'at home' abortions immediately, in the interests of women and unborn children. If you haven't already contacted your TDs and Senators about this issue, you can do so here. ([link removed])

#stopdiyabortions ([link removed][0]=AZVvDc8lODnUTOrReHOXL0p0DfoTtIZow5NSkAUgYC5DQ_5lY3VSnBKCyvHrNDkjC34KdPN8MBOiJlNx5tsgybOWmXrjTazUzKrTdnoLUVWGocsOvdN_jpp6NFayXl0Jwb3cStln59JZdRFf2F5zFXye_7vSuJv2YACrU3u8Rf7hVWcaLLvH09wO-P4HLoO2Ol4&__tn__=*NK-R) #supportmothersandbabies ([link removed][0]=AZVvDc8lODnUTOrReHOXL0p0DfoTtIZow5NSkAUgYC5DQ_5lY3VSnBKCyvHrNDkjC34KdPN8MBOiJlNx5tsgybOWmXrjTazUzKrTdnoLUVWGocsOvdN_jpp6NFayXl0Jwb3cStln59JZdRFf2F5zFXye_7vSuJv2YACrU3u8Rf7hVWcaLLvH09wO-P4HLoO2Ol4&__tn__=*NK-R) #protectwomen ([link removed][0]=AZVvDc8lODnUTOrReHOXL0p0DfoTtIZow5NSkAUgYC5DQ_5lY3VSnBKCyvHrNDkjC34KdPN8MBOiJlNx5tsgybOWmXrjTazUzKrTdnoLUVWGocsOvdN_jpp6NFayXl0Jwb3cStln59JZdRFf2F5zFXye_7vSuJv2YACrU3u8Rf7hVWcaLLvH09wO-P4HLoO2Ol4&__tn__=*NK-R)
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Send an instant message to your TDs and Senators to stop home abortions here ([link removed])
Must see video: Peadar Toibín Raises ‘Illegal Abortion’ in the Dáil ()
This week, in an impassioned intervention in the Dáil, Aontú leader Peadar Toibín TD strongly criticised the Government over its refusal to provide answers to the parents of baby Christopher who was aborted in Holles Street hospital last year following a misdiagnosis that he had a life limiting condition. The video clip from this week’s Dáil exchange on the matter is well worth watching in its entirety.

Click below to the watch the speech.
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Students For Life are hiring! ()
Students For Life is seeking a committed, highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate for a part time role as Project Coordinator/Student Officer.

The successful applicant’s responsibilities will include:
* management and co-ordination of Students for Life campus and online initiatives.
* providing assistance to existing student pro-life groups and encouraging new student groups nationally.
* management of Students for Life’s website and social media accounts.
* attendance at conferences and events to promote Students for Life nationally.

The closing date for applications is extended until Wednesday, 23rd September. Email [email protected] with your CV or for more information on the role.
PLC Network Communications Training with Wendy Grace - FREE but limited spaces ()

Want to learn how to explain the pro-life position (or advance your knowledge) and skillfully answer challenging questions? Our next online Communications Workshop will cater for all levels and will take place on Wednesday 23rd September from 8.30-9.30pm.
Register for PLC Network Communications Training here ([link removed])
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Peadar Tóibín TD to feature at next PLC Network Webinar ()
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Thank you to all those who have been attending our PLC Network Webinars over recent months. Our next Webinar will take place on Saturday, 3rd October from 11am to 12noon. As usual, the event is free and open to all but pre-registration is essential.

This event will include an interview with Peadar Tóibín TD and leader of Aontú. The theme of the event is 'Grassroots Activism - Resilience during challenging times'

It will also include a panel discussion in overcoming challenges to Grassroots activism. A chat and Q&A facility will ensure participant engagement and one minute Project Snapshots will be interspersed throughout to give you updates and opportunities to work on some pro-life initiatives.
Register instantly for PLC Network Webinar with Peadar Tóibín here ([link removed])
Save the Date: Pro Life Campaign National Conference 2020 ONLINE! ()
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The news during the Summer that 7041 babies lost their lives to abortion during 2019 was devastating. Our challenge is to find new strategic ways to reduce those massive numbers and fight for justice for unborn babies and their mothers.

Join hundreds of other pro-life advocates at the PLC National Conference 2020 which this year will be streamed live ONLINE on 31st October from 11am-1.30pm.

An amazing line up of speakers from Ireland, Britain, the US and elsewhere will join us for an informative afternoon which will include:

-Panels with grassroots, public representatives and students
-Interviews with change-makers within the pro-life movement discussing strategies for making positive change.
-Updates on local PLC Network projects and national campaigns
-Videos and live streams from around Ireland

This not to be missed event will be encouraging, and will remind us of how important it is to remain committed to our work of protecting mothers and their unborn babies!
Register instantly for PLC National Conference here! ([link removed])
Community Connect seeking volunteers. Get involved today! ()
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As you know Community Connect is a new volunteer-run national initiative to support pregnant women and new parents in a practical and tangible way.

Community Connect helps pregnant mums and new parents who are struggling to get the essentials for their baby, so that they feel more secure and supported in bringing their baby into the world. Community Connect operates as a practical support hub where parents in need can access items like pre-loved babygros and clothes, nappies and wipes, blankets and baby towels, pre-loved buggies, cots and other practical aids. Community Connect has five main volunteer-run hubs across the country, where people can donate baby items and parents in need can access them, and we also have groups of volunteers in many other parts of the country.

We have been working very hard to keep up with the demand for our service which is increasing at present.

Volunteers can help us by collecting, sorting and transporting donations, packing and sorting at the main hubs, working with lead coordinators in each area to promote the work of Community Connect to other charities and to those in need, and much more. There is a role for everyone.

Are you interesting in assisting in your area? If so, please email [email protected] and the team will get in touch.

Read more about Community Connect on the website www.communityconnect.ie
Join Team Community Connect at VHI Women's Mini Marathon 2020 ()
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Would you like to help raise much needed funds for Community Connect and get fit while doing so?

Community Connect will be taking part in the VHI Virtual Women's Mini Marathon this year. The goal is to do 10k in 10 days, your way. between 1st and 10th October. You can walk, jog or run!

Community Connect is looking for volunteers to take up this challenge and join their team and help raise funds to support mothers and babies.

Sign up here ([link removed] ) and we'll send you out further details and your race pack, including a gorgeous Community Connect T-shirt.

If you can't participate but want to support Team Community Connect at the event, you can donate here ([link removed]) .

For more information on Community Connect, to access support or to get involved as a volunteer, see www.communityconnect.ie
Are you a secondary school (TY or older) or third level student? Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning? We are seeking ‘virtual’ interns to work part-time from home at this time. Internships run for one week periods throughout the Summer.
Find out more and apply for virtual internship instantly ([link removed])
Follow us on social media!
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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