Before the Affordable Care Act, I was uninsured. Having Planned Parenthood down the street was a lifesaver. I had a place I could go to get my yearly exam, and I was able to get birth control based on how much I could afford to pay. Because I worked in retail for a small, local business that couldn’t afford to offer insurance for its employees, it wasn’t much. But every month, I would go to the same elderly pharmacist who would give me my birth control and offer a cheesy joke or two while I paid. He just wanted to make sure that every person that came to his window had a smile on before they left.

Now that I have insurance and see a doctor that I love, I make sure to donate to Planned Parenthood and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund to repay them for the help they gave to me. While I still can’t donate much, I know how important they are for offering advice and care to those that need it—even if it’s just a smile before they leave.