Ohio Right to Life joined with the Pro-Life Club and the College Republicans on The Ohio State University’s campus to host Pro-Life Day with Chris Spielman earlier this week. The event was held in the new Ohio Union on Tuesday evening.

Chris shared a message of life that is very close to his heart – his personal pro-life testimony. His late wife Stefanie’s battle with breast cancer presented an agonizing choice to the Spielman family when Stefanie discovered she was pregnant with their fourth child. Her doctor gave them two options. She could stop taking her treatment medication so that the child would have a chance at survival, or they could abort the child.

The decision to choose life was not easy for the Spielman family, but one that Chris does not regret. “I’m happy and humbled to say that (my) baby girl is playing softball tonight as a beautiful, bouncing eight-year-old,” Chris said. Stefanie passed away in November of 2009. 

As many struggled to hold back tears, Chris continued on. “I believe that all life begins at conception and that every life is sacred,” he stated. “I believe we change people’s hearts, minds and souls not through hatred or intimidation.” 

ORTL’s Executive Director agrees. “We’re going to focus on Ohio State to get a compassionate message out,” said Mike Gonidakis. “That’s how we will reach people, not by pounding on the table.” 

After Chris spoke, other pro-life leaders took the podium to continue the message of life and educate students on different issues and ways to get involved. Those presenting included: State Representative Terry Johnson (R-Portsmouth), Steven DeWeese, with the Christian Legal Society, Kathleen Gibbons, representing the Women’s Care Center and Katherine Chapman, Co- President of the Pro-Life Club, who informed students of Ohio State’s Health Care Policy, one that includes abortion coverage. “We are paying for abortion,” she stated. 

Many students were inspired and motivated by the event. “I felt so many different emotions – I was choking back tears and then filled with rage at the injustice,” said one attendee. Another said, “It was a lot more touching than I anticipated it to be.” 

With the help of students on Ohio State’s campus, which is one of the largest in the nation, Ohio Right to Life continues to impact a culture that will one day truly respect the dignity of each and every human life.

Read the article OSU's student newspaper, The Lantern, posted on the event.
View pictures of the event.

Posted by Erin Cain, 5/27/11