pathfinder pioneer advocacy news friends of pathfinder 14 6 2 e 5 . Gifts That Provide ofit ostag on, MA P D Miguel Gutiérrez Dear Pathfinders, Cheryl Tomchin I ermit No A Non-pr U.S. P Bost P Income to You for Life and Help Change Pathfinder’s Peru Beyond Peru, Dr. Gutiérrez has Ten years ago, world leaders gathered to make a historic promise at the United Nations Millennium Summit: The Tomchin Family drawn to Pathfinder’s work when been a strong voice for reproductive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. While important progress has been made, the world she learned it was one of the only the Lives of Those Country Representative, rights in Latin America. The region is still not on track to fulfill its promises, most notably in one major area: improving maternal health. Why? Charitable Foundation organizations in India that delivers Dr. Miguel Gutiérrez, has high rates of unsafe abortion— In part, because our leaders are not willing to address politically sensitive topics such as abortion. made their first gift comprehensive reproductive Served by Pathfinder around 94 percent of all abortions health services for women includ- has long been an are unsafe—resulting in injury to Pathfinder in 2006 ing contraception, prenatal care, We know that unsafe abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal death. According to the WHO, nearly one-fifth, A Publication of Pathfinder International Fall 2010 and death of countless women. safe delivery, and safe abortion. advocate for safe abortion or roughly 78,000 maternal deaths annually, are the direct result of complications from unsafe abortion. This figure does because of Pathfinder’s In Peru, where abortion is highly not include the untold millions who suffer severe health effects. Yet as much as maternal health has become the ”cause Consider the impact of a charitable and postabortion care. restricted and legal only to preserve commitment to safe “What impresses me about Pathfinder célèbre” at the UN, in the United States Congress, and in the media, this fact is rarely mentioned. Politicians, medical gift annuity. In exchange for a gift a woman’s health or save her life, is how they engage the community. A tireless leader in ending maternal abortion work. of money or securities, Pathfinder Dr. Gutiérrez and the Pathfinder professionals, scholars, and activists will talk about the need to address maternal mortality and morbidity and never even They work with community lead- mortality, Dr. Gutiérrez joined will pay you or a loved one an team have been working to ensure mention the word abortion. ers to build acceptance, and enlist Pathfinder in 1997 to lead a major annual income. At the same time that public-sector hospitals have respected community members in postabortion care initiative in Peru. In recent months, several large-scale, international your gift will support those whom medical protocols for abortion in education, contraceptive distribution, The initiative focused on improving Pathfinder serves. place and are also implementing campaigns have been launched to improve mater- Politicians, medical professionals, and referrals, which ultimately low- services women received after an them. The lack of protocols in many nal health. Bi-partisan bills have been introduced ers maternal and newborn deaths,” incomplete or unsafe abortion by You receive a fixed dollar income facilities has been a barrier for the in Congress to purportedly restore our nation’s scholars, and activists will talk about said Cheryl. “Pathfinder’s core values sensitizing staff at every level of the for as long as you live, much of implementation of abortion thus commitment to saving the lives of the millions support women with family planning facility— from the medical providers which may be tax-free. You get an increasing the chances that low- of women and children who die needlessly each decisions, which nurture the whole to the night watchmen—about the the need to address maternal immediate charitable deduction income and vulnerable women may year. And in September, another Millennium family. With more education about needs and rights of women seeking from income taxes. seek an unsafe termination alterna- Summit was called in New York to assess suc- family planning, there is a greater care. Dr. Gutiérrez played a key role mortality and morbidity, yet never tive. Using protocols developed by cesses to date. The campaigns, the press pieces, demand for contraception, which Compared to rates of return Pathfinder, Dr. Gutiérrez has worked the legislation, and the most recent Millennium provides women with a way to con- from CDs, stocks, or Treasury with health officials to implement even mention the word abortion. “Pathfinder takes abortion Summit, however, all fail to tackle a key aspect for trol their fertility and their future.” Bills, your annual income could the policies and to promote their straight on,” Cheryl Tomchin saving women’s lives: expanding access to safe be significantly higher. adoption so that abortions can be said. “Not only does Pathfinder do Having traveled extensively in less abortion. How can we claim to care about women’s provided at 14 hospitals. comprehensive abortion care and developed countries, Cheryl has lives, and not make explicit the critical role unsafe youth-friendly postabortion care, witnessed the powerful impact that gift of money As a result of advocacy efforts or securities abortion plays in maternal death? but Pathfinder also stands strong in Pathfinder’s work has on women’s Safe Abortion: urging the expansion of legal the face of legal challenges to abor- lives. “Rape and defilement, incest, criteria for abortion, including At Pathfinder we have consistently taken a stand tion through their advocacy work.” coerced sex, and lack of family Dr. Gutiérrez’s testimony before to make sure the subject of abortion is included in Defending Rights, gift Cheryl believes this work is critical planning are realities. Women donor annuity the National Congress, there are worldwide discussions about improving women’s because women facing a decision around the world need access to now a number of working com- remaining lives and health. In 1989, Pathfinder, in concert about an unplanned pregnancy reproductive health services. There Protecting Health, principal to missions addressing the barriers with a number of other NGOs, brought a lawsuit may not have had a choice leading is no simple solution to unwanted pathfinder to receiving an abortion in Peru. lifetime fixed against USAID over the Mexico City Policy (commonly referred to as the Global Gag Rule), which prohibited US govern- into that situation in the first place. pregnancy. Women risk their lives income and in changing providers’ attitudes Saving Lives charitable income about women who had urgent Recently, Dr. Gutiérrez received ment-funded NGOs from partnering with organizations that provided abortion-related services or information. During to have abortions— often in unsani- tax deduction health needs following an unsafe international recognition for his the years the policy was in effect, Pathfinder was one of the only recipients of USAID funding for contraceptive services Cheryl spent a couple of years in and tary conditions—and to have an termination. He wanted to ensure long-lasting commitment to inter- that simultaneously raised private funds for safe abortion services. around India during the 1960s. She organization like Pathfinder work that Peruvian women had access national reproductive health, as said, “I saw what women’s lives are to ensure that abortions can happen Sample Annuity Payments for a $10,000 Gift** We are committed to matching our advocacy actions with funding and programming in the countries where we work. to a range of services, including well as his efforts in making post- like when they have no choice about in legal, safe, and sanitary ways Age Rate Annuity Tax Deduction Only when abortion is provided legally and safely where it currently is not, will we finally make discernable progress the number of children they have— and that comprehensive postabor- treatment for incomplete and abortion care available in some of 60 5.2% $520 $1,979 unsafe abortions and contraceptive the most impoverished regions of to end women dying unnecessarily from unsafe abortion. Only then can our world leaders honestly say they are commit- or who they marry for that matter! tion care is also provided is why 70 5.8% $580 $3,503 counseling. The project began as Peru. At the annual meeting of ted to their promise to save women’s lives. The memories of the women I met The Tomchin Family Charitable a pilot in one hospital, and soon The Society of Obstetricians and remain with me today.” Cheryl was Foundation supports Pathfinder.” 80 7.2% $720 $4,843 expanded to 50 hospitals through- Gynaecologists of Canada, held in * Figures are for illustration purposes only. Minimum June 2010, Dr. Gutiérrez received Sincerely, President Editor out Peru. This focus on improving 1 age is 60, and minimum gift is $10,000. Your rate Daniel E. Pellegrom Linda Suttenfield 0 the distinguished Honorary Fellow- 217 will be based on your age at the time of your gift. reproductive health services not 45 Associate Editor e only contributed to a reduction ship award. Pathfinder’s Senior Board Chair ** The deduction is estimated and will change with www.pathfind.org Cynthia A. Fields Jaime-Alexis Fowler the monthly IRS discount rate in maternal mortality but also Vice President Caroline Crosbie said, 02472- Kristy Kade Contributors eet, Suit improved provider responses to “This award was truly an honor for A g Rita Badiani, Kristy Kade, Ellen M n Advocacy Program Officer i r n, obstetric and neonatal emergencies. Dr. Gutierrez and highlighted the i Israel, John Lazame Tindanbil Contact the Pathfinder Development e w o t e M Office at 617-924-7200, or via email The initiative is now being carried life-changing working that Pathfinder on the cover: Comprehensive safe abortion services are a hallmark of Pathfinder’s work.