Reflecting on the Past, Moving Forward

A Legacy of Faith, Compassion, and Choosing Life

By Laura (Dworaczyk) Merriott, Founder & President Emeritus

After retiring from the United States Air Force in 1993, I was blessed with the opportunity to volunteer at the Women’s Care Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. There, I witnessed firsthand the love of Christ being shared with every woman who walked through the doors—especially expectant mothers facing difficult and often overwhelming circumstances.

One experience in particular stayed with me and ultimately became the beginning of Save Unborn Life.

After an expectant mother had seen her baby on an ultrasound, the center director shared with me that the mother still felt she could not continue her pregnancy because she simply could not afford to have a child. I remember asking a question that seemed so simple:

“Has anyone ever thought about offering financial help to these mothers? Because sometimes, this really is about money.”

That question planted a seed.

I met with a Christian attorney, and together we developed the Articles of Incorporation and the contract language that would allow us to provide financial assistance responsibly and compassionately. With prayer, faith, and a desire to remove one more obstacle standing between a mother and choosing life, Save Unborn Life was born.

An Unexpected Call

Not long afterward, I received an unexpected call from a man named Roger Kent. He had read about the ministry and simply said he wanted to help.

Then came a call from a pregnant mother in Florida. She had learned that her unborn baby had an abnormality and was considering abortion. After our initial conversation, I did not hear from her for two days.

When she finally called back, she told me she had gone to the abortion clinic—but once she was there, she changed her mind.

She chose life.

She later signed an agreement with Save Unborn Life, and Roger generously offered to travel to Florida to personally deliver the financial assistance. From that point forward, Roger became a vital part of this ministry and its mission.

Twenty Years of Choosing Life

Over the years, we were blessed with faithful donors and strong relationships with pregnancy centers that referred women who needed additional financial support.

Through those partnerships, Save Unborn Life entered into agreements with 140 women and helped save 144 babies from abortion, including eight children who were placed for adoption.

Each number represents so much more than a statistic. Each represents a child, a mother, a family, and a life story that was given the opportunity to continue.

In 2022, I experienced a significant health challenge. After much prayer and many conversations with my husband, we approached Roger about taking over the leadership of Save Unborn Life.

Once again, God answered my prayer.

Roger accepted the responsibility, assembled a Board of Directors, and continued building upon the foundation that had been established. Today, the mission of Save Unborn Life continues—growing, reaching new people, and helping mothers see that financial hardship does not have to determine the fate of their unborn child.

Looking Back—and Moving Forward

Looking back over more than 20 years, I am deeply grateful for every donor, pregnancy center, volunteer, board member, and supporter who has helped make this work possible.

But most of all, I am grateful for every mother who found the courage and support she needed to choose life.

My prayer for the future is that God will continue bringing pro-life citizens together across this country to recognize the urgency of supporting vulnerable pregnant women. When fear and financial hardship make abortion seem like the only answer, we have an opportunity to come alongside these mothers with practical help, compassion, and hope—so they can see another way forward.

The Scripture that has remained especially meaningful to me throughout this journey is:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”— Psalm 139:13

May we never lose sight of the value God has placed upon every human life, and may we continue working together so that mothers facing difficult circumstances know they do not have to walk alone.

God bless us, everyone.

Laura (Dworaczyk) Merriott Founder & President Emeritus Save Unborn Life