Planned Parenthood is Standing Tall -- new fundraising campaign launched

Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) has just publicly launched a $3 million special fundraising campaign called Standing Tall and they’ve already received $2.5 million in lead donations.

“We’re very excited about the impact this program will have to meet the growing community needs for high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare,” says PPWNM CEO Katherine Humphrey.

The genesis for the campaign was the newly passed Affordable Health Care Act, which is expected to provide greater access to the preventable healthcare services that PPWNM provides. As more people are able to qualify for Medicaid or buy affordable healthcare, there will be an increase in the need for healthcare services. PPWNM plans to stay ahead of this evolving world of healthcare.  

The Standing Tall campaign is separate from their annual campaign and the money donated goes toward three areas: technology enhancements, health center renovations and the endowment fund.

Technology enhancements are planned to allow for electronic health records and practice management, and also to maximize efficiency.

PPWNM has eight health care centers through the western and northern half of Michigan. Part of the Standing Tall campaign will go toward the renovation of the centers, making them more professional in appearance with improved functionality. 

Two of the health centers are being renamed after donors who made significant contributions toward the campaign. The Ionia Health Center will soon become the Lemmen Health Center to honor a gift from Grand Rapids area philanthropist Harvey Lemmen, a former resident of Ionia. A Traverse City center is also being renamed to be the Walker Health Center in honor of donor Karen Christensen Walker.   

The Standing Tall campaign will also contribute to the organization’s endowment fund, securing the financial future of PPWNM.

At the two health centers in Grand Rapids, PPWNM serves approximately 8-9,000 medical patients per year. Throughout the state, the number served nearly doubles to around 15,000 medical patients each year. An additional 14,000 people participate in their educational programs as well.

PPWNM is the largest provider of provider of sexual health, education and advocacy services in the area. Their goal is to make sure everyone has access to health services so they can better plan their families, prevent diseases and make responsible, informed decisions about their sexual health.

Specifically, they offer annual exams for both women and men; planned and emergency contraception services; pregnancy testing with information about options; cancer screening; sexually transmitted disease testing, treatment and education including rapid HIV testing; HPV vaccinations; hormone therapy and more.
 
The staff at PPWNM is excited about the opportunities their Standing Tall campaign will give them to better serve and support those who need affordable, quality family planning and reproductive health services. If you would like to get involved, here are some ways you can:

-    Visit Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan online to find out more about the organization.
-    Donate to the Standing Tall campaign by contacting the PPWNM development department at (616) 774-7005 or by e-mail.
-    Make a general donation to PPWNM.
-    Take action and become aware of issues affecting women’s health.
-    Volunteer with PPWNM.
-    Like them on Facebook.
-    Follow @PPWNM on Twitter.

Source: Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan President and CEO Katherine Humphrey
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor

Photos provided by Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan.