The fight for reproductive rights continues and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund is at the front lines. The national non-profit organization is both the political arm and non-partisan advocacy group of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) that, in turn, is the International Planned Parenthood Federation's (IPPF) affiliate in the United States. Both the PPFA and the IPPF obviously provide for effective and efficient reproductive health services as well as maternal and child health services for women and their children.

As an advocacy and political arm, the Action Fund promotes the Planned Parenthood mission via a wide range of programs and projects. These include educational, electoral and legislative activities in schools, clinics and the halls of power (e.g., Senate and Congress), which usually involve both grassroots organizing and lobbying.

Indeed, the Action Fund is just what it says it is - it puts the abstract mission and vision of Planned Parenthood into concrete action and results. In the process, it brings girls and women closer to the fulfillment of their reproductive rights including comprehensive sex education, affordable healthcare services, and women empowerment services.

Women of all ages who come to one of the Planned Parenthood clinics can avail of services including contraceptives; screening for cancers; pregnancy testing and options counseling; comprehensive sexuality education; testing and treatment for sexual transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS; abortions; and menopause treatments. Even men are welcome to avail of these services, such as in vasectomies, testing for testicular cancer, and contraceptives.

While the Action Fund is funded in part by federal government, private donations from individuals, groups and organizations are also welcome; these donations account for about 25% of the entire funding. Prominent donors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Buffett Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, among others.

Your donations will mean that all men and women regardless of their social and economic status as well as their political affiliation will be able to access the Planed Parenthood services. Donate now and make a difference in lives!