Respect for Life's

The Crimson Phoenix

Good men are standing by, ready to prove they care.

Respect for Life receives many requests for financial assistance from men who want to take responsibility for their fertility. Either they have no insurance, or their provider is owned by the Catholic Church, and they can't quite manage a few hundred dollars all at once.

At least vasectomies are legal in North America. Many countries have yet to repeal archaic penal codes restricting or forbidding this simple and private procedure.

Unfortunately, Respect for Life's vasectomy loan fund is constantly depleted and the waiting list is growing. Until this situation changes, we offer a few suggestions.

Generally, the best source for low-cost vasectomies is Planned Parenthood. Find your nearest affiliate clinic through their website, or in your phone directory. If your local clinic doesn't provide the procedure, they may be able to refer you to a cooperating doctor who does.

Learn more about this simple procedure at Vasectomy Information, a site in the UK which includes a discussion group to answer any questions not covered in their extensive FAQ. Links for vasectomy information.

Once a provider is found, money will have to be raised. As difficult as this may be, it helps to remember that an accidental conception could cost just as much -- far more if allowed to continue full term. It's also the most economical contraceptive, paying for itself many times over a lifetime.

If you are very low income, you might be able to qualify for your state's health plan, if they have one. Check your phone directory.

It might be possible to set up an account for yourself at a Planned Parenthood clinic offering vasectomies, making monthly deposits of an affordable amount. If not, a bank will do. You could encourage friends and associates to send money to it. Perhaps make a paper "thermometer" and color in the amount raised for display at work or any appropriate place. This could be fun, and raise awareness at the same time.

Other urology clinics may be willing to set up an account, and, if deposits are regular, may be willing to proceed before the whole cost is covered. Payments continuing after, of course.

Independent urologists have accepted labor in exchange for performing a vasectomy. Yard work, cleaning, painting, etc. are often needed.

Adventurous men could stand on a sidewalk with a cup and ask for contributions. Maybe hold a sign that reads:

"Fertile. Please help."
"Stop me before I impregnate (again)."
"Prevent abortion (or child abuse, unwanted pregnancy, mutant sociopaths, and so on) sterilize me."

Carrying pre-addressed, stamped envelopes to give to those who wish to make contributions should assure them that their donation will get to the right place.

Anti-abortion protesters in front of health clinics might be interested in helping out, since a vasectomy insures that one more man will never cause a woman to need an abortion.

People who are able to provide financial assistance for vasectomies are encouraged to contact their local Planned Parenthood office and ask about either setting up a fund, or making an "ear-marked" contribution. This will provide a tax deduction for the contribution, something Respect for Life cannot furnish yet.

• Donate to our vasectomy fund. If a tax deduction is desired, donations may be made directly to Planned Parenthood through their website if you like. A category for donations to a vasectomy fund has yet to be added, but you may send it the old fashioned way -- "ear-marked" for vasectomies.
  
• Suggest that your male friends enter if they are heterosexual, fertile, sexually active, have no health insurance or their HMO is Catholic controlled, and they don't want to impregnate anyone.
  
• Sponsor your own Valentines Day drawing. A kit with instructions for sponsoring a drawing in your local area is available by mail.
  
• Purchase and display our bumper sticker "Vasectomy prevents Abortion." Only two dollars from the address on the main page.
  
• Let us know what you think about our promotion of vasectomies: Rev. Barron