Planned Parenthood article
This article was originally written for my writing for PR class. We were assigned to submit our articles for publication. If you have any questions, or would like more information my contact information is at the end of the article.Thank YouKeri Vargason
Planned Parenthood Popular Among University Students, Teens
Birth Control pills, Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECPs), free condoms, and pregnancy testing are some of the services provided at Planned Parenthood, regardless of the mayoral opposition and negative petition drives it had to overcome prior to opening its doors in Cache Valley in 1974. Planned Parenthood claims to provide confidential and affordable health care for women, men and teens. It provides birth control instruction and supplies, free condoms, pre-marital exams, STD testing, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, cancer screening pap smears, pregnancy testing, vasectomy counseling, mid-life services, as well as ECPs, otherwise known as “the morning-after pill.””We want people to know that we are here and we will help, regardless of the cost,” said Ann Toolson, clinic manager of Planned Parenthood of Logan.At Planned Parenthood, a sliding scale is used to determine the cost of the service rendered. This means the cost of the service varies depending on income, and the service may also become free or be shifted to a donation basis. Planned Parenthood faced a lot of opposition throughout Cache Valley when it announced plans to open. However, it faces little opposition today after over two decades of operation.According to Andrea Pickett, former USU student and patient of Planned Parenthood for three of the four years she attended USU, Planned Parenthood is a saving grace for teens and university students in Cache Valley. “Without Planned Parenthood, I don’t have a clue where I would have gotten birth control, or if I would have been stupid and not used it at all,” said Pickett. “As a college student, I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on doctors’ visits and prescriptions. I didn’t know too many people that did have that kind of money in college,” said Pickett. Planned Parenthood is popular among teens and university students because of its affordability. Planned Parenthood is a not-for profit business that is funded through state and federal grants. Utah requires minors to have parental consent for services regarding birth control and abortions, therefore offices in Utah do not receive state funding, unlike all other clinics in the nation. “Planned Parenthood believes in complete confidentiality, even for minors, so they opened offices in Utah regardless of the lack of state funding,” Toolson said. Planned Parenthood also receives money from donations and fund-raisers. They are holding the 15th annual Chocolate Festival Feb. 9th to raise money for the Logan office. It will be held at the Bullen Arts center on Main Street in Logan. Planned Parenthood of Logan is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am to 5pm, and Tuesday and Thursday at 8am to 4pm. The office is located at 550 N. Main, #117 in the Clocktower Plaza or may be contacted by phone at (435) 753-0724. For more information visit the Planned Parenthood website at www.plannedparenthood.com. Contact: Keri Vargason kerivargason@cc.usu.edu (435)512-8322 511-92-0327