Planned Parenthood is one of the leading providers of high-quality, affordable healthcare for women, men, and adolescents. Today, an estimated 1 in 5 women has come to Planned Parenthood for expert, confidential, nonjudgmental services like pap smears, breast exams, abortions, adoption referrals, STI tests and treatment, pregnancy tests, birth control prescriptions, UTI antibiotics, and general check-ups. A whopping 80% percent of their clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancy, and they prevent about 516,000 unintended pregnancies each year. They have over 700 health centers in the U.S., and they accept patients with or without health insurance. This week, the Senate voted todefund Planned Parenthood, potentially putting all of those vital services in jeopardy.

In honor of Planned Parenthood’s National Day of Solidarity tomorrow and how hard they work to keep all of us healthy, we asked 10 women to tell us their Planned Parenthood story.

[Trigger Warning: This post includes explicit descriptions of sexual assault and abortion.]

Brittney

The first time I went to Planned Parenthood was because I was convinced I had herpes. I saw some bumps, I cried, I called my mom, and then I called Planned Parenthood. I was freaking out. I was young, 20, and Planned Parenthood was the only place I could think of that could help me quickly and without judgment. I felt as if herpes were a life-ender. I’d never have sex again and I’d never have a moment where I wasn’t Brittney-with-herpes (in hindsight I know this is VERY wrong. I needed to be educated). I needed somewhere that wouldn’t think those things about me when I was thinking them about myself. In the treatment room, I knew I had found that place. I told the young woman helping me that I was scared. She said she understood. Her alliance brought me back down to earth. I wasn’t alone, it was OK to be scared, I had help. Later, a doctor told me I didn’t have herpes, just some normal bumps. She didn’t parse words. She told me about the risks I was taking and how to protect myself against them. Mostly, though, the two women who helped me that day helped me realize that I wasn’t the only young woman trying to figure out what this sex thing is all about who had a total and complete panic attack while doing it. They also helped me realize that, no matter if they were good or bad, the choices I was making were my own. With Planned Parenthood, I had the chance grow, to make better, more informed decisions, all the while knowing I could have solid and unwavering medical care if those choices were taken away from me. For that, I am grateful.

Danielle

Ten years ago, I was raped. The perpetrators: my “friends.” Four boys in 12th grade. They were cool, they were older, at least two of them were 18. I had turned 14 just a month before. They offered to drive me home. Instead, they drugged me, pulled over four blocks from my home, and took turns assaulting me as the others documented the incident on their flip phones. These photos later surfaced, and spread through my high school. No one believed me. Nobody helped me. Not a soul rooted, or seemingly will ever, root for me. The system had failed me. But Planned Parenthood didn’t. The next day I took the number 4 bus to the Planned Parenthood on the other side of town. I had never taken the bus before. (This was Los Angeles, after all.) I told them it wasn’t really rape. (I was lying.) What it really was, however, was unprotected sex. They gave me Plan B. If you don’t support Planned Parenthood, you don’t support 14-year-old me. A hopeless, desperate, and sad young teen whose innocence was ripped away by four evil men.

Jessica

My first experience with Planned Parenthood was when I was 17. I knew three things for sure then: One, I wanted to go to college and be successful in life; two, I didn’t want kids until I was married and had a good job; and three, I wanted to have sex with my boyfriend. For the record, at 17 I wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend so I had to skip school to see him since he lived in a different town. I wasn’t allowed to be by myself with a boyfriend until I was 22 or 23. My cousin who was sexually active took me to Planned Parenthood one day during school. It was very nerve-racking since I lived in a small town and was scared someone was going to see me and tell my mom. Thankfully, no one did. It was very comforting to go there and talk to someone and ask questions without being judged. I got birth control and tested for STDs. I’m so grateful that I had access to Planned Parenthood back then, I don’t know how my story would have turned out without it. I was going to have sex no matter what, but who knows if I would have gotten pregnant or an STD by not having access to non-judgmental medical advice. Sadly the PPH in that town is no longer there; I’m not sure where I would have gone today if I were 17 right now.

Jennifer

I’m 31 years old now and have been going to Planned Parenthood since I was 19. The first time I went was because I was sexually assaulted and wanted STD/STI testing but didn’t feel comfortable going to my longtime primary care physician. From that very first visit, and at every visit after, I was treated with a kind of empathy and respect I have never found at a doctor’s office. I’ve gone to Planned Parenthood for everything from birth control consultations to STI testing to yes, an abortion. My visits are always comfortable, and I’ve never felt judged. Everyone from the front desk to the nurses and doctors themselves have always been inviting, compassionate, patient, knowledgeable, and available to talk to. In times of great stress or when dealing with emotional situations Planned Parenthood has always been there to comfort me and provide the help I seek or refer me to someone else with better resources to meet my needs. I cannot imagine what my life would be had I not had the almost surrogate-mother feel that PPH has offered me. I am forever grateful of their services and the dedication they put into providing patient-specific care for everyone, regardless of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, wealth, race, etc. For the past 12 years I’ve stood by PPH and for the rest of my life I will continue to. Thank you PPH for all that you do.

Devon

At the age of 14 I fell into what I thought was love — I was wholeheartedly wooed by an upperclassman whose experience far exceeded my own. I began down the path of “firsts” and when I realized that sex was in my imminent future I sought out methods of birth control. Condoms, being the easiest and most accessible method, were my selection — but, when the time finally came, they kept breaking and I didn’t feel safe (and it turns out I wasn’t). My friend’s older sister agreed to drive me to Planned Parenthood where I would be able to access birth control pills. I was nervous because of my age, but the staff there treated me like an adult and walked me through all I needed to know, even supplying me with a goody bag of other birth control methods. Little did I know, I was too late — the weeks of using sometimes failed condoms had left me pregnant. Reality overwhelmed me and I decided to face my worst fear and tell my mother — her love for me overcame her disappointment and she contacted Planned Parenthood with me and aided me in scheduling an abortion, which was MY final choice, and ultimately the best one for me. I remember little about the procedure, but one detail has stuck with me forever: The young redheaded staff member who held my hand throughout the whole procedure — that woman meant the world to me.

Elena

All it took was one night having sex without a condom and just as I was beginning to think things were looking up for me, I get a text during the middle of class. It’s a short novel filled with more apologies than Justin Bieber’s song and I didn’t read the entire thing because all I could see somewhere in the middle was, “I have Chlamydia and you should get tested.” It was only appropriate that the same day he dropped this bomb on me, my mom mentioned that she’s switching to a different health insurance meaning we’re not covered for the next few weeks. So no birth control, no insurance to get tested and treated, no income or way to hide the charge from my parents, and worst of all, nobody to talk to. I spent a week crying in bed and swearing off men before my friend forced me through Planned Parenthood’s doors. Just as I was beginning to fill out the forms, I noticed that there was an option to not receive any mail from them to avoid problems. Just like that, my anxiety was relieved. All of the doctors and nurses were incredibly accommodating and I didn’t understand why there’s such a stigma against the organization. When I was called in for the check-up, I was talking to the doctor as though I knew her my entire life. She was so pleasant and most importantly, understanding. By the end of my visit, they gave me my prescription and all I owed was $15. I could hardly believe all the shaming and crying that ensued a week beforehand.

Polly

Today is my birthday. I’m 29 years old and my parents still don’t know that I had an abortion at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis when I was 18. It was three days before I left for college in Ohio, eight hours away from everything I knew. To say it was traumatic would be an understatement, but it was the right choice and I don’t regret it. If it wasn’t for Planned Parenthood, I’d have a 10-year-old child with a man that left the $250 on a cold car seat parked in the driveway the day before the abortion. He thought I was lying. I went alone, but I’m not alone in my story. And I hope that maybe by sharing my experience, others will share theirs. As women we must band together and protect the right to choose. These are our bodies and it is our right to decide what we do with them, it’s our right to have a career, to have a future that is our own. For me, that would not have been possible without Planned Parenthood.

Maggie

I found out I was pregnant the day before I graduated college, but sat on this knowledge for several weeks. I didn’t want tell my parents because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone; nobody wants to be “that girl.” All of a sudden, I was out of my first trimester but still hadn’t done anything about it. I called Planned Parenthood and set up an appointment for a Wednesday afternoon. I figured most of us in the waiting room were scared about something: a pregnancy, a test result, a question we needed an answer to. I had to have an ultrasound; I don’t remember why, maybe it’s Missouri law. I turned my head away from the screen, pissed off that some politician thought this would be a good way to influence my decision. Next, a counselor and I went through all of my options: abortion, adoption, continuing the pregnancy. I was pretty dead set against the last two but I listened to everything she had to say anyway. She gave me pamphlets with facts and resources and explained the procedure, because I was too far along to take the pill. She asked about my feelings; my plans for my future; my relationships with my boyfriend, my family, and my friends. She asked what I wanted — things I don’t think I had ever considered myself. I left that day with an appointment scheduled to have an abortion two days later. Later that afternoon, I called and canceled. To this day, I’m not sure why; I just changed my mind. Four and a half years later, I now have a daughter, who says we are best friends and princesses. (She is right on both counts.) I drive past that Planned Parenthood every single day to pick her up from preschool. I still smile remembering how much warmth and love I felt from every single Planned Parenthood employee I have ever met. I have no idea what I would have chosen had they been more judgmental or less supportive. What I do know is that at a very confusing, terrifying time, they gave me the opportunity to choose what I wanted for my life.

Katlyn

I was sexually assaulted in high school and wasn’t able to talk to my parents or friends about it. My friend’s older sister drove me to Planned Parenthood where I received a free pap smear, UTI antibiotics, and extreme care and anonymity through the entire process. I still have only shared this with one of my high school friends. That’s why Planned Parenthood is so important. Coming from a sexually conservative family, Planned Parenthood was a lifesaver to me. It’s also how my friend found out she had cancer during just a regular, free pap smear service.

Sade

When I first graduated from college there was no Obamacare, which meant I automatically lost my health insurance. No big deal, I was a very healthy 22-year-old at the time. However, a couple of months after I said goodbye to dorm life and another couple of months before I got my first job, I got a terrible bladder infection. At first it was just annoying, but soon I started to urinate blood. I wasn’t sure what to do or even how expensive a doctor without insurance would be. I’m not sure why I didn’t call my mom across the country to bail me out, but it probably had something to do with wanting to prove that I was all grown up. By chance, I stumbled upon the local Planned Parenthood in Santa Cruz, California and they were able to provide me with antibiotics. They literally solved something I was struggling with for almost a week in a day or two. Not treating a bladder infection can be really harmful to your health. If you’re already urinating blood it usually means your kidneys have already been affected.

When people say that Planned Parenthood’s primary purpose is to hand out free abortions or to kill babies it really upsets me because I know that more than anything they provide health services to women who could otherwise not afford them. They literally save women’s lives, and to think that some of our elected officials are trying to dismantle such a useful and needed resource for teen girls and women is absolutely sickening.

If you are interested in making a donation to Planned Parenthood, go here.

Brittney

Danielle

Jessica

Jennifer

Devon

Elena

Polly

Maggie

Katlyn

Sade

This post was originally published on Teen Vogue.

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