Dear Friend, Women must not be worse off after health care reform than they are now. I've said it, and repeated it, and fought for it for months. But it seems that lawmakers haven't been listening — not to me, not to you, not to the millions of women and men who desperately need a health care system that provides access to affordable, complete reproductive care. A few days ago, the New York Times reported that health care reform could prohibit private insurance companies from covering abortion care — even those that currently do so. Anti-choice extremists aren't just trying to deny uninsured women access to reproductive care — they're fighting to make sure that women whose private plans currently cover abortion care lose their access as well. This is a dangerous moment for women. If opponents of women's health succeed in hijacking health care reform, we'll be suffering the consequences for a generation or more. We need you now. Here's what you can do: Make an emergency contribution to Planned Parenthood. We're working the phones, the mail, and the internet day and night to build a war chest for this fight, and anything you can afford to pitch in will help our work — immediately. Call your senators now. The most effective way to demand that your senators stand up for women's health is by calling them directly — and we've made calling simple and quick with an online form. We have no time to lose, and no room for error. Please, give what you can, speak out as loud as you can, and help me fight for our essential goal: women must not be worse off after health care reform than they are now. Sincerely,   Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America

HERE:
Planned Parenthood in Trenton now open on Saturdays!
Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area is pleased to announce the addition of Saturday hours at our Trenton health center.  Located at 437 East State Street, our Trenton health center is now open from 9A – 1P on Saturdays, offering our complete range of reproductive health services six days a week.  Thanks to Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) to their generous support of this program.  Please click here for more information about our Trenton health center.

THERE:
Coca-Cola is not a contraceptive
The BBC reports that a recent survey found UK citizens to be awash with misinformation about contraception. According to the article by Sudeep Chand, "One in five women said they had heard of kitchen items, including bread, cling film and even chicken skin, being used as alternative barrier methods. Others had heard food items such as kebabs, Coca-Cola or crisps could be used as oral contraceptives." Read more about the survey, sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma, at the BBC website. »

EVERYWHERE:
Combat abstinence-only education during Sex Ed Week
Abstinence-only sex education is dangerous and ineffective — its use in classrooms across the country does not reduce the rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among young people. This October, young people all over the country are speaking out for comprehensive sex education, and they're working with their friends and neighbors to spread the truth about reproductive health care (like ways to avoid infection and unintended pregnancy if you do have sex). Join an event in your neighborhood or sign up to organize one today. Click here. »

Ready? Set? Vote!
Believe it or not, Election Day is right around the corner!  Are you ready?  Be sure that you are registered before October 13th to be eligible for the elections on November 3rd.  This year, you can vote from the convenience of your home with the Vote-By-Mail application.  It is a fast and effective way to get your vote counted - even if you are busy on Election Day. Voter registration and Vote-By-Mail applications here

Get Out The Vote Calls
Join us on Tuesday, October 20th for important work.  Call voters throughout the state to remind them to vote on Tuesday November 3rd and follow up on vote-by-mail applications.  Calls from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM – come for an hour or stay all day!  Help us by bringing your own cell phone.  Dinner provided, parking on site and appropriate for volunteers 16 and older.  For exact location of event, please RSVP to info.ppanj@ppfa.org.

"Eat, Pray, Love" with Planned Parenthood
Join Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey as we welcome one of our favorite authors Elizabeth Gilbert, author of bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, for a special presentation and exclusive preview reading from her forthcoming book, Committed. Afterwards, mingle with Elizabeth at our elegant Wine & Dessert Soiree and private book signing.  Thursday October 29,2009, 7:00PM at the Woodcrest Country Club, Cherry Hill, NJ.  Click here for more details and information on purchasing tickets.