Our Mission

Right to Life – LIFESPAN believes that human life has value in all stages of development from conception until natural death, and is committed to speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves — the pre-born, the aged, the incapacitated.

Our Beginning

Right to Life – LIFESPAN was born on a frigid night in November 1970 at the Plymouth Grange Hall. Gloria Klein, a young housewife from Westland, chaired the meeting and became the founding president. About 100 concerned citizens who attended that first gathering formed the nucleus of the pro-life movement in Southeastern Michigan.

Originally called People Taking Action Against Abortion (PTAAA), the group adopted the name of its newsletter, LIFESPAN, in 1973. Even then, it was obvious that infanticide and euthanasia were irrevocably joined together in philosophy with abortion.

In the late 1970s “Right to Life” (RTL) was added to the beginning of LIFESPAN’s name at the urging of the national organization. The idea was to have pro-life groups across the country easily identifiable by using the same prefix. Thus, the progression from PTAAA to Right to Life – LIFESPAN. However, whatever the name, the principles and goals have remained the same since that icy night in 1970.

Who We Are

Right to Life – LIFESPAN is a non-profit, non-denominational and non-political organization dedicated to the protection of vulnerable human life from conception through natural death. Established in 1970, it is the largest and oldest pro-life organization in southeastern Michigan. LIFESPAN serves Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

LIFESPAN’s members respect the dignity of all human life. They endorse and support efforts to enrich the lives of the mentally and physically impaired, the infirm and the aged. Its members stand in opposition to society’s position that unwanted or burdensome lives of the pre-born, newborn with disabilities, the elderly and the medically dependent can be discarded as a choice.

LIFESPAN seeks to protect human life through a concerted combination of educational, legislative and public awareness programs. Through the active work of its members, LIFESPAN aims at overcoming the anti-life philosophy existing in society. They speak for those who cannot or have trouble speaking for themselves.

Educational and Public Awareness Programs

Human values form and develop through education. The educational programs of LIFESPAN strive to inform individuals and groups on life issues. They offer a broad range of information to help people make informed life-affirming decisions. The topics include abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide and other life issues. Information and resources for individuals and groups are available in a variety of ways.

Legislative Program

The legislative program of LIFESPAN works to pass laws protecting the most vulnerable members of society and change laws which take away that protection. The program includes: Identifying life issues before the legislature; training individuals to become involved in the legislative process; communicating with elected officials at local, state and national levels; publishing surveys on political candidates; positions on life issues; monitoring and publishing the voting records of elected officials; sponsoring a variety of informational meetings which are open to all.

Membership

Membership in Right to Life – LIFESPAN brings with it not only a subscription to LIFESPAN News and timely updates on important pro-life activities, but an opportunity to join your voice with hundreds of other pro-life people in our area determined to restore respect and dignity to human life. Quite literally, our voice becomes the voice of someone who cannot speak for himself or herself. Without your membership voice, the pro-life movement falls silent, those who would deny the value of life prevail, and the fabric of our entire society is frayed. Contact one of our Chapter offices to become a member.

What You Can Do

We welcome new members. With your active participation, you can help continue the efforts of the pro-life movement. The work of LIFESPAN continues at the grassroots level. Following are key areas that need help. Please let us know where you can help make a difference!

Practical Help – In the LIFESPAN office or at home, there is a job for you
Speakers’ Bureau – Training and assistance are available
Legislative – Letter writing and telephone chain
Educational – Working fair booths and conducting school programs (K-college)
Church Representative – Representing LIFESPAN in your church
City Representative – Working as a liaison within your community.

Let your voice be heard; write letters to the editor, protest anti-life shows on television, contact your legislators. Speak up! Educate people regarding life issues…inform people of legislative action needed to restore respect for human life.

Right to Life – LIFESPAN is a non-profit, non-denominational and non-political organization dedicated to the protection of vulnerable human life from conception through natural death. Established in 1970, it is the largest and oldest pro-life organization in southeastern Michigan. LIFESPAN serves Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.