Of course you’ve heard about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. But have you heard about Giving Tuesday? #GivingTuesday is an idea that allows people to give back to those in need this holiday season. Did you save a bunch of money by shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? How about making a huge difference in the lives of those in need, and sharing why you give?

Reproductive rights are human rights. Abortion is healthcare.

No one has the right to dictate what you do with your body. No one should ever be turned away from having an abortion (or any medical care) due to an inability to pay. Everyone should have the ability to make healthcare choices without worrying about financial constraints.

Abortion should be accessible, affordable and on demand, without apology. As Anu Kumar, Executive Vice President of Ipas, rightfully asserts:

“It’s not a choice if you can’t afford it.”

Abortion funds fill the gap between healthcare and accessibility. Funds work tirelessly to ensure people have access to abortion. We provide grants, referrals, emergency contraception, and strategize solutions to reduce the barriers to abortion.

While the base cost of an abortion is $440 — those performed in the first trimester with no complications or extra needs— costs can run over $6,000. Costs drastically vary depending on where you live, how far along you are, and whether it’s performed at a clinic or doctor’s office.

All day-long, people are sharing, tweeting and posting pictures online about why you give to abortion funds:

“I give to abortion funds because your rights shouldn’t depend on your wallet.”

“I give to abortion funds because all people have the right to make decisions about their bodies.”

“I give to abortion funds because I had an abortion as a low-income person, and without clinic discounts and in-house funds, I wouldn’t have been given a second chance.”

“I give to abortion funds because no one should have to justify legal healthcare.”

Feministing’s Maya Dusenbery shared why she gives to abortion funds:

“The need for abortion funds is evidence of a complete failure to uphold any semblance of equality when it comes to abortion rights.” And this status quo has been tolerated for decades because the U.S. fundamentally doesn’t give a shit about protecting basic human rights.

“But here’s the realest reason I keep donating to abortion funds every year: I give to abortion funds because being pregnant when you don’t want to be is the absolute worst.”

[…]

“If you’re ever skeptical of the pro-choice rhetoric about how abortion is about the ability to control your life, stop and really try to imagine the profound loss of control you’d feel if you woke up pregnant tomorrow. Now imagine feeling that way and also counting down the days as you frantically call on friends and family, deplete your grocery fund, and pawn your possessions to scrap together the money for a procedure that may cost as much as your entire month’s rent.”

Anti-choice legislation keeps bombarding us, restricting abortion access. Politics disillusion many people into thinking they possess no power, that no one will listen. But you can take a stand. Fight back by giving, if you can, to help a person in need.

So you want to help women in an immediate and impactful way? Give to an abortion fund. Vote with your dollars about what matters to you. Never think you can’t make a difference in the world. Because you can. Every dollar helps someone in need.

So why give to abortion funds? For all of these reasons. Because I trust people to choose what’s right for them. Because income should never mandate healthcare. Because I hope someday, reproductive freedom will truly be free.

#givingtuesday #fundabortion 

Participate in #Giving Tuesday by 
1. Making a donation to Women Have Options or becoming a monthly sustaining donor
2. Sharing with friends why you donated to WHO/O and invite them to join you!
3. Take a picture or video and tag it #givingtuesday #fundabortion