Overview
The Knights of Columbus established its Ultrasound Initiative to equip medically certified pro-life pregnancy care centers (PCCs) with modern technology that will enable expectant mothers to see and hear their babies in utero. When a state or local council raises half of the cost of purchasing an ultrasound machine for a PCC, the Supreme Council will match that amount, enabling the PCC to buy the ultrasound machine.
Ultrasound technology provides a “window on the womb,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Even from the early stages of pregnancy,” he continued, “a mother can see her developing child, hear her baby’s heartbeat, and recognize the miracle of the new life within her.” Since this program began, we have received numerous reports of mothers who have decided to carry their babies to term after seeing the ultrasound images.
COUNCILS PROVIDE FUNDS TO PREGNANCY CARE CENTERS FOR NEW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
A new ultrasound machine donated by Massachusetts Knights to Worcester’s Problem Pregnancy Inc. was blessed by state chaplain Bishop Daniel Reilly in January. Shown are (left to right) sonographer Kathy Lake, Bishop Reilly, Deacon Joseph Baniukewicz, State Deputy William Donovan and State Advocate Thomas McGinn
Through the Ultrasound Initiative, since 2009, state and local Knights of Columbus councils have teamed up with the Supreme Council to fund about 900 ultrasound machines, costing approximately $44 million, for placement in pro-life pregnancy care centers (PCCs) in all 50 states, and Canada.
Now, the Supreme Council is offering additional funding when an ultrasound machine will be used in a mobile medical unit.
ULTRASOUND MACHINE MATCHING FUNDS
Through the Ultrasound Initiative, when a state or local council raises 50% of the cost of an ultrasound machine, the Supreme Council will provide the other 50% of the cost to complete funding for purchase of an ultrasound machine that will help a PCC to provide for the health of mothers and their unborn children.
Ultrasound machines provide abortion-vulnerable pregnant women a new way of viewing the life within them.
MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT FUNDING – NEW!
In addition, for state or local Ultrasound Initiative fund raising drives meant to place ultrasound machines in vehicles to operate as mobile medical units, the Supreme Council will now provide additional funds to cover most, or all, of the other 50% of the cost of an ultrasound machine.
Thus, if the state or local council raises all of the funds needed to purchase a vehicle (i.e. – bus, RV, truck, van, etc.) outfitted to serve as a mobile medical unit for a PCC, the Supreme Council will provide up to 100% of the cost of purchasing an ultrasound machine, to use in the unit.
“WINDOW ON THE WOMB”
The sophistication of today’s medical technology provides a “window on the womb” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Even from the early stages of pregnancy, a mother can see her developing child, hear the baby’s heartbeat, and to recognize the miracle of the new life within her.”
Ultrasound exams, which are medically indicated throughout pregnancy for a variety of diagnostic reasons, use ultrasound waves to scan a women’s abdomen, creating a picture, or “sonogram,” of the baby in her womb. Without K of C support, most PCCs would be unable to purchase an ultrasound machine, which usually costs tens of thousands of dollars, or a vehicle to serve as a mobile medical unit, often costing from $100,000 to $250,000.
State and local councils desiring to participate in the Ultrasound Initiative should refer to the Ultrasound Initiative Guidelines (#4885) for program requirements. Councils must raise half of the funds for purchase of an ultrasound machine, or all of the funds for purchase of a vehicle outfitted as a mobile medical unit, before submitting an Ultrasound Initiative Application (#4886) to the Supreme Council Office for funding. The answers to some Frequently Asked Questions provide additional information about the funding programs.
Before any fund-raising begins, review Qualifying a Pregnancy Care Center in Collaboration with the Local Diocese (#9885). Then, present the Diocesan Evaluation (#4884) to the diocesan culture of life director. After being completed and signed by the diocesan culture of life director, the Diocesan Evaluation form should be submitted to the Culture of Life Office at the Supreme Council Office. After the Culture of Life Office advises that the PCC may be considered for inclusion in the Ultrasound Initiative program, fund-raising may then begin, provided that the council and the PCC will also meet each of the other criteria listed in the Ultrasound Initiative Guidelines.
The Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative seeks to provide medically certified pro-life PCCs with the modern technology to monitor the health of babies in utero and to allow mothers to visually experience their development.