With the second anniversary of the overturning Roe v. Wade, second-annual Access Walkboard names 2024 grantees
All funds raised by walkers and individual donations will be 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 will have one return and one new grant recipient this year, Cedar River Clinics of Washington and Lilith Clinic. Access Walk will award 100% of all funds raised in 2024 to the organizations.
Last year, Cedar River Clinics was the sole grant recipient of $100,000 to support abortion providers and patients in Washington state. This year’s event takes place September 14 at Volunteer Park in Seattle and also offers a remote option for walkers throughout Washington and the nation. Teams have already formed in Leavenworth, Wash., and Sun Valley, Idaho.
“We’re seeing states like Arizona affirming laws that take us back to the 1800s when abortion was illegal in nearly all circumstances,” said Jeff Pyatt, co-founder of Access Walk. “And they’re not alone. Many states, like Idaho, are rolling back reproductive rights, forcing individuals to travel long distances to states like Washington to exercise their personal freedoms, including the freedom to make healthcare choices with their doctors, partners, and families.”
This reality, he said, is creating a system where low-income and traditionally marginalized individuals are forced with difficult financial choices that others with the financial means do not have to make. “That’s why supporting Lilith and Cedar River is so critical. It truly makes a difference in the lives of individuals impacted by the Dobbs decision.”
“When Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, it caused a health care and human rights crisis in our country. There are now 25 states with abortion restrictions or outright bans which has impacted half of the U.S. and pregnant people who must now travel for care. It has most drastically hindered access for marginalized groups and individuals with low incomes. Each month Cedar River Clinics sees between 50-80% more out-of-state patients than we did prior to the Dobbs decision. Many of our out-of-state patients require financial assistance to travel to access abortion. We are so grateful to Access Walk and their support of our patients who need this essential and life-changing care. Rights are meaningless if you do not have access,” said Mercedes Sanchez, executive director of Cedar River Clinics.
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 thrilled 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 are proud to be part of the Seattle community and look forward to an inspiring day with supporters of abortion rights.”
A full 100% of the funds raised by walkers and donations will be granted to the clinics to directly support individuals who need assistance with costs associated with travel, like accommodations, fuel, meals, and other expenses.
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.
Registration for the event is open. Access Walk is a 501 (c)3 organization, making all contributions tax deductible.
2024 Access Walk Event Details
What: Second annual Access Walk event to raise funds to help individuals forced to travel long distances to access safe abortion services pay for lodging, food, gas, and other travel expenses.
Date and Location
- Saturday, Sept. 14
- 2-7 p.m. – the walk begins at 4 p.m.
- Access Walk will take place at Volunteer Park in Seattle and a remote option is also available
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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 and 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