Inaugural Access Walk Event To Ensure Access To Safe Abortion Services
This inaugural Access Walk event will raise funds to ensure access to safe abortion services.
Seattle walk will raise funds for regional clinics to offset costs for travel, accommodations and other expenses incurred by individuals forced to travel for abortion services.
SEATTLE, WASH. (May 9, 2023) – As states continue to change laws in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling last year, one local family started a non-profit to raise funds and awareness for regional clinics that provide access to safe abortion services. The inaugural Access Walk Seattle event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Volunteer Park and will raise funds for clinics to help individuals offset travel costs associated with this much needed service.
“As a family, we believe that every individual seeking access to safe abortion services should not be burdened by financial barriers, which impact the most vulnerable and underserved communities here in Washington and across the nation,” said Jeffrey Pyatt, co-founder of Access Walk. “Regardless of someone’s view of abortion, the reality is people from every walk of life access this reproductive health care service. We also know that low-income individuals are the ones caught in the middle of abortion law changes and restrictions across the nation. Our goal with Access Walk is to help them offset costs associated with travel, accommodations, childcare, and other financial burdens created by the need to travel long distances to access safe abortion services.”
Pyatt said his wife and daughters, who are the inspiration for the creation of Access Walk, struck up a conversation over a dinner on the fallout of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Collectively, they made the decision to create an inclusive event – Access Walk – to raise awareness of the impact of the Dobbs ruling and how the patchwork of law changes will place burdens most heavily on low-income and underserved individuals.
The first grantee of funds raised from Access Walk will be Cedar River Clinics, a Washington state non-profit organization with clinics in Renton, Seattle, Tacoma and Yakima.
“We are profoundly appreciative and honored that Access Walk has chosen to support Cedar River Clinics for their inaugural walk. Since the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, we have seen countless attacks nationwide to undermine our right to abortion. With an increase in abortion bans in hostile states as well as the recent challenge against FDA approval of Mifepristone, the fight is far from over. Pro-abortion elected officials and fellow advocates are working tirelessly to protect and expand abortion access for all those who seek it in Washington state, no matter their zip code. As we witness more attacks across the nation, we will see an ever-increasing number of patients from out of state. This walk will support our work to provide these patients with travel assistance and will help make Washington a refuge for abortion care,” Connie Cantrell, Executive Director, Cedar River Clinics.
“Cedar River Clinics aligns with our mission to ensure everyone seeking safe abortion services has access, particularly as the financial burden grows for those forced to travel long distances for those services,” Pyatt said. “Unfortunately, the right to reproductive freedom may be taken away for many, simply because they lack the financial means to access out-of-state abortion services. Every dollar we raise will go toward grants to regional clinics like Cedar River to help their clients defray those costs. Our event is a proactive step to support individuals’ right to choose.”
The details of Access Walk are as follows:
- When: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023
- Time: Registration opens at 9 a.m. and walk begins at 11 a.m.
- Where: Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle
- To Register: https://accesswalk.org/walk-with-us/register/
- To Donate or Sponsor: https://accesswalk.org/about-us/donate/
- To Volunteer: https://accesswalk.org/volunteer/
- Website: https://accesswalk.org
About Access Walk
Started by the Pyatt family, who make their home in Washington state, Access Walk’s mission is to fund regional organizations that provide access to safe abortion. We know people from every community use abortion services, so we walk to ensure that those services remain available. The vision is to ensure that everyone seeking abortion services has safe and affordable access. The Pyatt family will underwrite 100% of the startup and event costs associated with the inaugural event. This will allow 100% of the funds raised by the event to be awarded to grantees to help their clients defray the costs associated with traveling to access safe abortion services. Funds will not be used to pay for the abortion service itself. Access Walk is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
About Cedar River Clinics
Since 1979, Cedar River Clinics has provided compassionate reproductive health care including first and second abortion, birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and LGBTQ wellness services including transgender/non-binary care. Cedar River Clinics is a Washington State non-profit organization with clinics in Renton, Seattle, Tacoma and Yakima. Cedar River Clinics is a social justice organization that combines direct services, with advocacy and community education.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Bobbi Cussins, Access Walk, 360-280-1679, media@accesswalk.org
Mercedes Sanchez, Cedar River Clinics, 425-278-1132, mercedess@cedarriverclinics.org