After I graduated from college, I decided to take a year to give back. I joined AmeriCorps to spend a year in service to my country, and I moved over 600 miles away from my friends and family. I learned so much during my service, but during that year, and the subsequent years after while I built my career, I had no money for extras, and at that time extras included things like birth control.

Thankfully, my new city had a Planned Parenthood clinic staffed by fantastic doctors and nurses. Not only did they make sure I had low cost access to contraception, but they may have saved my life. I get regular migraine headaches, and until I spoke to one of the doctors, I had no idea that the birth control pill I was on was increasing my risk of having a stroke. The doctor helped me find a birth control method that was effective, easy, and safe.

Today I have a strong career, a happy marriage, and a full and active life. I can honestly say that without the help of that doctor and the other staff, my life would probably look very different today. Her attention to my needs and commitment to educating me about my choices is a gift that has empowered me to take better care of my own health to this day.