Live ultrasound images of a baby squirming in a mother’s womb were shown to attendees at last night’s annual banquet of the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. The demonstration highlighted the services offered free to women facing unplanned pregnancies, using state of the art digital equipment that was received and installed earlier this year at CareNet’s facilities on the east side of Madison.
CareNet sees about 600 clients per year and 88 of them in the year ending last July received ultrasound tests. The ultrasound is an effective tool to demonstrate to a woman that her womb contains a real, living human being, not just a blob of tissue.
"A baby’s life is hanging in the balance," said executive director Liz Osborn, describing the typical situation when a woman walks through their door. But she added that a mother’s eternal destiny is just as important, emphasizing the faith component of the ministry.
"We believe in miracles that happen in the quiet place of a man and a woman’s heart," she added. "Those miracles are the eternal work of God."
CareNet is one of the Madison area’s most ecumenical organizations. Osborn noted that 52 area churches participated in their baby bottle fundraising campaign earlier this year.
Elizabeth House, a home for single women experiencing pregnancy, is another of CareNet’s services. Osborn said they have celebrated 20 babies being born to its residents so far.
In addition to the ultrasound volunteer, three other women participated in the evening’s program, giving testimony to CareNet’s assistance, medically, socially and spiritually. The first was a recent client, who brought her baby with her. The second was a client from 22 years ago. The third was her 22-year old daughter.
"Every day lives are being touched," said Osborn. "Every day lives are being saved." She said CareNet’s goal is to become the first place to turn for every man and woman dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
The banquet guest speaker, Promisekeepers founder and former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, told the story of his daughter Christy. Eighteen years ago she gave birth to a baby fathered by the quarterback of McCartney’s football team. Those who are familiar with the story will remember that the quarterback was stricken with a fatal cancer before the baby was born.
"We rallied around that little guy all his life," McCartney said. "He’s now a quarterback at LSU."
He praised the work of CareNet. "These ladies have a vision that’s incredible. They understand the value of life and the value of a soul." He urged the crowd of 475 to give themselves totally to the work of God.