Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF):
One year ago Monday, NAF member Dr. George Tiller was murdered at his church in Wichita, Kansas.
Despite all the harassment, threats, and violence he endured, Dr. Tiller devoted his life to providing quality, compassionate care to women and their families. The walls of his clinic were filled with letters from grateful patients, and in the past year, we have heard from many others who were thankful for the excellent care they obtained at his clinic.
Nina* said: “I was introduced to Dr. Tiller in October of 2005 when I had found out that the baby that I was carrying would be born with congenital defects that no medicine or surgery could correct. He saved me, my family, and by unborn fetus a life of agony, anguish, and hardship.”
Alison said: “Dr. Tiller was the only doctor who accepted my particular case due to my own physical complications. Dr. Tiller is my hero, he not only saved my life but saved my family.”
While we won’t ever be able to replace Dr. Tiller, we can help ensure that women are still able to access the quality abortion care that he risked his life to provide. Inspired by Dr. Tiller and his practice, we’ve heard from medical students who have decided to include abortion in the care they will provide, and from NAF members who have recommitted themselves to continuing to provide women with the quality abortion care they need.
Dr. Tiller was a devoted husband, father, and colleague. It is with great sadness and respect that we join our members and his family in remembering Dr. Tiller’s life and his many contributions to women's reproductive health care.
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in North America. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care to promote health and justice for women. Our members include health care professionals at clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals, who together care for more than half the women in North America who choose abortion each year. For more information, visit our website at www.prochoice.org.
