Local non-profit grants $60,000 to support abortion access for individuals traveling to Washington state for reproductive healthcare
All funds raised by walkers and individual donations were granted to Lilith Clinic and Cedar River Clinics of Washington to support travel expenses for individuals to access abortion services
SEATTLE, Wash. – The second-annual Access Walk Seattle raised $60,000 to support travel expenses individuals incur from being forced to leave their state to access safe abortion services. Access Walk’s 2024 grant recipients are Cedar River Clinics of Washington and Lilith Clinic, which each received checks for $30,000 on Oct. 23.
In addition to this year’s grant funds, Cedar River Clinics was the sole grant recipient of $100,000 to support abortion providers and patients in Washington state in the 2023 inaugural event. With the average cost of travel ranging from $1,500-2,000 per individual, which includes airfare, lodging, meals and things like medications and clothing, the $160,000 in total grants for the first two events will serve roughly 150-200 individuals traveling from hostile states to Washington state for abortion services.
“The numbers tell the story. More individuals are being forced to travel to our state to access abortion care and services. The patchwork of laws is truly creating a situation where individuals are being forced to give up their basic right of bodily autonomy simply because they face a financial burden they cannot overcome,” said Jeff Pyatt, co-founder of Access Walk. “People from all walks of life access abortion services and it is our goal to support our local clinics that help bridge the gap to access through the funds Access Walk provides. Supporting Lilith and Cedar River truly makes a difference in the lives of individuals impacted by the Dobbs decision.”
Pyatt referenced the most recent report by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, which found that Washington providers are performing 201 more abortions per month and the number out-of-state abortion patients is up 46%.
Cedar River Clinics has locations in Renton, Tacoma, and Yakima as well as telemedicine services and provides care to patients from around the country. Mercedes Sanchez, Executive Director of Cedar River Clinics, said, “The Dobbs decision ripple effect continues. Last year, Cedar River Clinics welcomed out-of-state patients from 31 different states, with many of these patients needing financial assistance for travel expenses. Access Walk’s support generously amplifies and supports our mission to ensure that our patients can access the abortion care they need and deserve. Their funds are a crucial lifeline, bridging the gap in access to timely abortion care.”
The Lilith Clinic is an independent abortion clinic with offices in Seattle, Portland and Las Vegas. Last year, Lilith Clinic Seattle welcomed patients from over 20 states. “We are proud to partner with Access Walk to raise awareness about the impact of abortion bans and raise money to support those who are forced to leave their communities for reproductive health services. We will always welcome those who need abortion care, and funds raised will provide necessary support for essentials like medications, lodging, and food for patients traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to reach our clinic.”
Access Walk was founded by the Pyatt family of Seattle after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case in June 2022, which overturned the 50-year-old protection of abortion access across the nation. The family hosted the first-ever Access Walk event in Seattle in September 2023. Seeing the growing need to support individuals forced to travel out of state to access reproductive healthcare, all the funds raised will help Cedar River Clinics and Lilith Clinics offset patient expenses of hotel stays, meals, childcare, airfare and others incurred to travel to Washington state.
2025 Access Walk Event Details
What: Third-annual Access Walk event to raise funds to help individuals forced to travel long distances to access safe abortion services. A full 100% of the funds raised by walkers will be donated to the clinics to directly support individuals who need assistance with costs associated with travel, like accommodations, fuel, meals, and other expenses.
Date and Location
- Saturday, Sept. 13
- Access Walk will take place at Volunteer Park in Seattle and a remote option is also available
- Registration for 2025 is open
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Access Walk has one goal: To offer financial support to regional organizations that provide access to safe abortion services. Organizations providing this service typically have minimal staffing and financial resources, and face challenges when attempting to raise funds to support individuals’ travel and lodging expenses to access their services.
Access Walk’s founders believe finances should not be a barrier to access to safe abortion services. While numbers are still coming in, there is anecdotal evidence that individuals from other states are traveling to Washington state to seek access to abortion services. This puts a strain on state providers as well as has financial impacts for those seeking the services, particularly low-income and underserved populations. Access Walk is a 501 (c)3 organization.
Media Contact: Bobbi Cussins, 360.280.1679, bobbi@accesswalk.org