May 2009
Newsletter may 2009Respect Life Dessert & Coffee Evening and Silent Auction
When: Thursday, May 21st
Where: ST. Ambrose Church
Time: 7 P.M.
Cost: $10
Special Guest: Jakki Jeffs, Executive Director, Alliance For Life Ontario
Entertainment: Amber Weitzel, soloist.
Please join us for another informative and fun evening. Jakki will tell us about the work which AFLO has accomplished in Ontario, saving lives over the past 20 years. Please Note: there will also be a silent auction. Donations of items for the Silent Auction would be greatly appreciated.
Please come, and bring a friend! You won’t be disappointed.
Call 519-623-1850 to reserve your tickets and to donate items.
Community Life Chains - A Baby is Counting on You
When: Fridays - April 24, may 29, June 26
Where: Hespeler Rd. (opposite Applebee’s Restaurant)
Time: 6 p.m.
Join the ‘Life Chains’ as a witness for the unborn. We pray that another heart will change, as happened two years ago.
From the President’s Desk
Dear Members,
I begin with a sincere ‘thank-you’ to all those who have been so generous to our organization this past year. In spite of the economic woes, we have been able to maintain our commitment to our members and the wider community, to inform and educate about life issues, through advertising, (see our new ad on page 2) disseminating educational materials, and assisting other pro-life organizations. This past year, we have seen a more concerted effort on the part of the pro-abortion faction, in using the courts to silence the voice of pro-life advocates. This has happened on many fronts, in the press, on TV but most especially on some of our university campuses. Nonetheless, the many pro-life groups throughout Canada, stand united and firm in their purpose, to bring about justice for the unborn and to persevere in stemming the tide of attacks on human life. May God bless you for standing with us.
Isabel Smith
Annual March for Life Ottawa
When: Thursday, MAY 14
Theme: ‘Exodus 2009 - A Future Without Abortion’
Time: We leave Cambridge for Ottawa, at 6:30 a.m. from Smitty’s Furniture parking lot
Leaving Ottawa at 4 p.m., it will return the same day around 11 p.m.
Transportation: Chartered bus
Tickets: $60.00
As in previous years we are teaming up with K-W Right to Life to fill the bus. Please don’t let the cost deter you from coming; Help us and BOOK NOW!
Call our office (519) 623-1850 to reserve your seat.
NEW BUS BENCH ADVERTISEMENT
With the cost of advertising being so high, we have decided that placing bench ads at street level in high-traffic areas, is at cost - efficient way of getting the pro-life message out to the most number of people. Below is our latest ad which you will find at the following locations: Franklin Blvd. at Stafford Ave. and Franklin Blvd. at Pinebush Rd. If you would like to sponsor an ad, please call the office.
Report on a Peaceful Picket
Our Pro-Life Advocacy committee chair, Cathy Miedema, reported that in spite of the extremely blustery day, 25 people attended our annual January Peaceful Picket in front of our M.P. and M.P.P.’s offices on Jan. 23. Mr. Martiniuk welcomed us into his office and answered several questions posed by the participants; Mr. Goodyear was unavailable that day. This peaceful picket is another way in which Cambridge Right to Life makes its presence known in the wider community.
Our plans to air pro-life commercials, on major television networks, across the province in 2009 are moving forward. It is obvious that the economic downfall has affected our fund-raising for this project. However, we remain optimistic that we will raise enough funds throughout the year, to purchase an effective media buy in the Fall, that will not only change hearts, but SAVE lives! We have $96,000 currently in our project account! We need at least another $50,000. We sent a Christmas 2008 appeal letter which raised approximately $3,000. If you have already made your contribution, thank you for your partnership! We know that financial resources are stretched and many worthy organizations need support. But we know that this project saves Canadian lives. If you know someone in a position to help us, please consider forwarding this message to a business, church, school, friend or family member who may be able to help.
Our 2009 Campaign will be using 3 powerful commercials. 1) "Vanished" highlights the 3 million unborn Canadians who have been killed by abortion since 1969. It asks the question: "What have we been missing?" 2) "Hero" reaches out to fathers who are considering abandoning their child and her mother to abortion. We know that the majority of women in crisis pregnancy find themselves abandoned by the fathers of their unborn child which eventually leads them to resort to abortion. Moreover, our research indicates that men are favourable to pro-life messages and move from a pro-choice position to a pro-life position after viewing our commercials. We hope this ad will provide them with strength, courage and hope.
3) The "Crisis Pregnancy" ad will be used in the late night rotation to reach out to women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy. This ad and the 1 800 pregnancy line will encourage them and let them know that there is life affirming help available. We need your financial and prayerful support for this important endeavour. Please help us to reach out to women and save unborn babies' lives.
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Cambridge Right to Life is in need of the services of a Certified Chartered Accountant to do an audit on our books. A donation of this service would be greatly appreciated.
Elder abuse expected to increase
by Julie Slack, The News, Mississauga March 9/09
One in 10 seniors living in Peel is the victim of abuse, a shocking statistic that makes the Peel Elder Abuse Support Program, offered by Family Services of Peel and Distress Centre Peel, even more essential.
Tom Triantafilliou, director of resource development with Family Services of Peel, said statistics compiled by the agency led to the formation of the program to help seniors who have somehow become "devalued, and end up the victims of abuse." Leeanne Chowen, volunteer service coordinator with Distress Centre Peel, said abused seniors can call 905-278-3141 to speak to a volunteer. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.
Chowen's volunteers hear all kinds of horror stories from seniors, from physical abuse, to theft of their money by the holder of their power of attorney – often a relative – to theft of sentimental items. The seniors, in most cases, are living in their own homes, with friends, family or spouse, providing care.
"Most of the cases are power of attorney violations – an adult child exploiting his or her parents," he said. "Abuse is a very difficult thing for a 70-year-old to grasp. It's a psychological blow. They feel shame and embarrassment. Often, that's why they keep quiet about the abuse." Leet said the last year has revealed a shocking litany of abuse. Some seniors have lost their entire life savings, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars; others have been locked in bedrooms, while their caregiver leaves the house to go to work or run errands. He noted, one senior suffered a skull fracture she endured from abuse. It is important to notice that the article states:
"Most of the cases are power of attorney violations – an adult child exploiting his or her parents," Often decisions about assisted suicide are made by the family member who has the power of attorney.
Commentary: Canadians should not be considering the legalization of euthanasia or assisted suicide as long as we are experiencing an incredible growth in elder abuse rates, and as long as we are not able to provide excellent end-of-life care for everyone who needs it. We need to Care for people and not Kill them. Alex Schadenberg – Ex. Dir. EPC, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
The EPC has re-designed the Life-Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care. This document is a legal document that is designed to protect you when you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself. It is not a Living Will but is different and better than a Living Will.
People who want to be treated in an ethical manner need to understand that the definitions within their power of attorney document are important. This document protects them from ambiguous language which may result in their being denied basic medical care or experience costly legal challenges to medical care decisions.
If laws forbidding euthanasia or assisted suicide are weakened, the Life-Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care will protect you from those who might question your right to live.
For more information call the EPC toll free at: 1-877-439-3348