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Apopka's Above and Beyond Pregnancy Center "Walks for Life" on Saturday

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Under sunny skies and a spirit of unity, supporters gathered at Victory Church World Outreach Center in Apopka for the Above and Beyond Pregnancy Center's Walk for Life. Teresa Sawyer, the Center's founder, used her own experience with abortion to be a resource for women who are contemplating the decision to terminate their pregnancy.

According to Sawyer, the event, held on Saturday, October 26th, aimed to support voting no on Amendment Four.

After having an abortion at 16 years old, Sawyer used the pain from that experience to create a comforting space for girls who are contemplating the same decision. She forgave herself for what happened and started volunteering at a pregnancy center. She felt a need to give and that God would reward her in some way for what she desired. According to Sawyer, her Center is a safe space for girls who are contemplating termination, giving them alternate options and resources.

“Girls come in and they’re unsure of what they’re going to do," Sawyer said. "We talk to them about their options and obviously our choice would be life, but we also let them know that no matter what they do, God loves them and that if they choose to terminate that we are here for them as well. So, we’re not judging them, but we want them to know what their options are, such as parenting, and they’ll have us help them walk through it or adoption. I have three beautiful, adopted children. So, it is very near and dear to my heart. However, I know that everybody doesn’t walk the same path.”

The Center's educational classes aim to educate women on their different options. Once they decide, the Center provides various resources to move on from there, such as steps toward adoption or parenting classes. 

After a speech from Sawyer and Florida House State Representative Doug Bankson, the walk began at around 8:45 am and was more than a mile, leading them through downtown Apopka and ultimately to the West Orange Trail pedestrian bridge that crosses over East Main Street near South Forest Avenue.

“We need to care about the woman, we need to care about the situation," Bankson said. "That’s what the pregnancy center is about.”

Chris Alexander, an attendee at the event, showed her support for the Center by participating in the walk.

"The Center is here for helping people through whatever decisions they make,"she said. "We have the part where they come in and do a pregnancy test. If they decide that they’re keeping their baby, we have classes, educational classes that help them learn about what’s happening in their bodies and everything."

Angela Ross and Erica Thompson also participated in the walk. They are the CEOs of the Curve of Life Pregnancy Test. The company's mission is to empower hopeful mothers on their journey to parenthood by providing a reliable pregnancy test experience.

“We’re all about life," said Thompson. "We’re promoting life. We go through so many changes in our bodies when it comes to being pregnant and I feel like life is so important and we just need to always, constantly promote healthy women, healthy moms, healthy life. 

Joseph Bankson, a Youth Pastor at Victory, agreed with Thompson.

“Our youth group wanted to be a part of this," said Bankson. "I’m a youth pastor, so we wanted to really stand up for the unborn.”

As the event concluded, attendees shared hugs and heartfelt conversations, reinforcing its commitment to supporting women and families. For Sawyer, the Walk for Life was a powerful reminder of their mission: to stand alongside women in their journeys, providing them with resources, education, and unwavering support in their decisions.

Victory Church Apopka World Outreach Center, Above and Beyond Pregnancy Center, Curve of Life Pregnancy Test, Walk for Life

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