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Knights of Columbus donate ultrasound machine to free medical clinic in Wisconsin

Jun 30, 2021

Local councils of the Knights of Columbus led fundraising efforts for the clinic’s new ultrasound machine

Editor’s note. This appeared a year ago in NRL News Today but we can’t remind people often enough of the great work the Knights have done for years in providing ultrasound machines to women-helping centers.

APPLETON, Wis. – Vida Medical Clinic received a new ultrasound machine through donations from the Knights of Columbus. Vida is an Appleton-based free medical clinic that serves women, men and children throughout the Fox Valley.  

“No woman should feel alone and unsupported when facing the realities of an unplanned pregnancy. The Knights of Columbus have been an important partner in our mission to support and lift up pregnant women, and the ultrasound machine is one of the most important pieces of medical equipment in our clinic,” Vida Executive Director Anne Tretinyak said. “We are grateful for their hard work on our behalf to ensure that the technology in our clinic remains state of the art.”

Local donations for the ultrasound machine came from Knights of Columbus Council #7895 Msgr. Gehl Council, which represents the parishes of SS. Peter and Paul in Hortonville, St. Denis in Shiocton and St. Patrick in Stephensville. The local Knights raised more than $28,000 for the new machine, and the purchase was completed with matching funds from the national Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative and the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund. Through collaborative efforts, the Knights expedited the funding process to ensure Vida was able to receive the new, state-of-the-art ultrasound this summer. 

“We look for ways to fundraise and give back to our community that align with our faith values and that directly impact our local area,” Council #7895 Grand Knight Craig Cummings said. “Donating an ultrasound machine to Vida allows pregnant women to see their developing unborn child and hopefully choose life, whether that is through parenting or placing that child for adoption.”  

In addition to ultrasound imaging, Vida Medical Clinic also provides other free and confidential services including Pap, pelvic and breast exams, and STD testing and treatment for men and women. Vida’s Support Services Program provides education and material support to pregnant women and parents of young children including free one-on-one labor and delivery classes and lactation consultation.  

The Knights also fundraised for Vida’s last ultrasound machine purchase in 2012. Both donations are part of the national Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative, which has donated more than 1,000 ultrasound machines to medical clinics and centers across the United States and world since 2009. The Knights also support Vida through baby bottle drives, financial donations, supply donations and prayer.  

“This donation gives us a way to support these women, lift up local families and support a culture of life in northeast Wisconsin,” Cummings said.  

Categories: Pro-Lifers
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