Dear John,

Shelley’s life was literally hanging in the balance.

She was in a tough spot from the moment she was conceived. Her mother’s life was a mess—torn apart by addictions and bad relationships with men and women.

As a result, this baby girl in the Dallas area was targeted for elimination—while still in her mother’s womb. And unbeknownst to her, her tiny life would become a legal and political football, part of a court case that remains in the headlines today and turns 49 tomorrow.

Her mother, you see, was Norma McCorvey—the “Jane Roe” of Roe v. Wade, the abortion case that went all the way to the Supreme Court and tore apart the nation.

Amazingly though, the little girl survived—saved by the laws in Texas that protected preborn life at that time. She was adopted, given the name Shelley and is still alive as I write.

Shelley’s story especially hits home for me because of the timing. Shortly after Shelley was born in Dallas in 1970, I was born in the suburbs of Detroit. More than two years later, the Supreme Court finally ruled on Roe.

Though Shelley thankfully survived, the abortion lawsuit that her mother filed established a new right to abortion in America. Since the day it was finalized in January of 1973, Roe v. Wade has allowed more than 62 million abortions—a number that keeps growing by the thousands every day!

After Roe: Is 2022 the Year?
For years, pro-life citizens have been working hard to protect all the little “Shelleys” out there—by educating Americans about the reality of abortion and passing laws restricting its availability.

Those efforts have produced tremendous progress—leading to where we stand today: 

• A Supreme Court that, while far from perfect, is the most favorable toward life in generations
• A 40 percent drop in the number of abortions, thanks—in big part—to pro-life restrictions
• A climate where more states are pushing the envelope, passing bills to protect life at earlier stages and to more directly challenge Roe 

Last month, the Supreme Court heard a case dealing with one of those state laws, a Mississippi law protecting life at 15 weeks of pregnancy. Most legal scholars think that when the Court rules in June, it will at least weaken Roe by allowing states to protect more unborn babies. But it’s possible that the Court could go even further and end Roe altogether!

“After Roe” Starts Now: State by State
Whatever the Supreme Court decides, the work of preparing for the day after Roe starts now. And it begins where Family Policy Alliance is already very busy—in the states and with our state allies.

After all, overturning Roe won’t end abortion, but it will allow the states to do so, just as they did before Roe was decided. If the Supreme Court stops short of overturning Roe but weakens it, the battle to further protect life will continue in the states as well.

In a few states, ending abortion could happen very quickly after Roe is overturned.

But in most states, the battle will be incredibly intense—in the halls of the legislature, in the media and in elections.

At Family Policy Alliance, we believe that God has positioned you, me and our entire team for this moment in history. Legislative and election work in the states is what we do. It’s why we host, serve and work in close alliance with nearly 40 state-based family policy councils.

After Roe: Your Help Is Needed to Win
So yes, the “After Roe” project starts now. In fact, it has already begun. You may have seen some of our videos from the Supreme Court last month to inform and rally people state-by-state for the battles that lie ahead.

Today, we’re marching in Washington, D.C., with thousands of pro-life Americans at the annual March for Life. And behind the scenes, we’re strategizing with state leaders and coordinating on various scenarios that may develop when the Court rules.

But we need your help. The opportunity of our lifetimes to save literally millions of “Shelleys” may very well be right around the corner.

Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more will provide strategic resources for this major campaign—for media messaging, for fast-breaking mobilization in legislative sessions and for activating pro-life voters in pivotal 2022 election contests.

Precious lives need our help. Will you stand with future “Shelleys” today?

For Life,

Craig DeRoche
President & CEO





P.S.      2022 could very well be the biggest landmark year on abortion since 1973 when Roe was imposed on America. If the Court weakens or overturns Roe, an epic fight for life will erupt in the states. With so much to do and prepare for, your gift is critical. You have my word that your gift will be put to work in the most pivotal battles—to save the most little “Shelleys” possible.