Suicide is always tragic because every human life, without exception, is valuable—regardless of age, illness, disability, and dependency. THE CASE AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE Assisted suicide—when a doctor prescribes a lethal overdose for a patient to intentionally end his or her own life—is currently legal in a number of states, and some advocates aim to legalize the practice in Minnesota. This effort should be rejected. Assisted suicide is unethical, dangerous, and unnecessary. Assisted suicide violates human dignity and equality Suicide is always tragic because every human life, without exception, is valuable—regardless of age, illness, disability, and dependency, and regardless of whether a person will live for another six months or another 60 years. Our society seeks to prevent suicide in general, but assisted suicide laws carve out an exception. They designate a particular class of people (those who meet the law's criteria) for whom intentional killing is a valid option. Assisted suicide sends the harmful and discriminatory message that the lives of disabled, sick, and dependent people are less "dignified" and less worth protecting than the lives of everyone else. That's why many disability rights organizations strongly oppose the legalization of assisted suicide. No one should be excluded from protection and care. Assisted suicide threatens the vulnerable Proponents of assisted suicide focus on sympathetic individual stories, but these can obscure the many dangers of legalization. People are harmed when assisted suicide is legal. Coercion and abuse: Assisted suicide laws do not require that anyone witness the death—there are no safeguards at all once the lethal drug has been dispensed. In Oregon and Washington , where assisted suicide is legal, prescribing physicians generally are not present when the lethal dose is administered. Legalizing assisted suicide also leads to other kinds of pressure and coercion. In Oregon , 48 percent of assisted suicide patients in 2015 expressed concern about being a "burden" on family and friends. In Washington , 52 percent in 2015 expressed the same worry. Moreover, public and private insurers have a financial incentive to steer patients toward suicide rather than life-extending treatment. Some Medicaid patients in Oregon have been denied expensive treatment and offered assisted suicide instead. Neglect of the mentally ill: Assisted suicide laws do not require that a patient undergo psychiatric evaluation before receiving the lethal prescription. (The decision to refer for evaluation is left to the prescribing physician.) Yet as a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded, "The desire for death in terminally ill patients is closely associated with clinical depression—a potentially treatable condition—and can also decrease over time." In Oregon and Washington , only a tiny fraction of assisted suicide patients first receive counseling. A British Medical Journal study of patients in Oregon found that "the current practice of the Death with Dignity Act may fail to protect some patients whose choices are influenced by depression from receiving a prescription for a lethal drug." Suffering people deserve treatment and support, not killing. Mistaken prognoses: Assisted suicide laws rely on correctly diagnosing that a patient has less than six months remaining. But such predictions are inexact and often mistaken. In both Oregon and Washington , patients receiving lethal prescriptions have lived more than 1,000 days before dying by suicide—that means they lived years beyond the six month prognosis. The "terminal illness" requirement has even been understood to include chronic conditions that would only cause death if left untreated. Jeanette Hall, an Oregon cancer patient, received a terminal diagnosis in 2000. She wanted assisted suicide, but her doctor encouraged her to undergo treatment instead. Today her cancer is gone and she is very happy to be alive. "If my doctor had believed in assisted suicide, I would be dead," she says . Legalizing assisted suicide encourages patients who would live for months, years, or even decades to throw their lives away. Suicide contagion: Research shows that the acceptance, legitimization, and publicity of suicide encourages additional suicides . That's why assisted suicide can increase the number of regular (non-assisted) suicides. Following Oregon's legalization of assisted suicide in 1997, for example, regular suicides in that state have increased significantly at a rate well above the national average. And a 2015 study in the Southern Medical Journal concluded that (controlling for various factors) "legalizing [physician-assisted suicide] was associated with a 6.3 percent increase in total suicides." Suicide is already among the leading causes of death. Legalizing assisted suicide can influence vulnerable people and make this devastating problem worse. Assisted suicide is unnecessary It is already legal for patients to decline unwanted medical treatment and allow the dying process to take its course. And everyone has the right to receive good palliative and hospice care. Assisted suicide is something very different—it is intentional killing. This practice, explains the American Medical Association, "is fundamentally incompatible with the physician's role as healer." Advocacy groups claim that assisted suicide is necessary to prevent pain and suffering. Generally, though, pain can be controlled if proper care is made available. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization , "When symptoms or circumstances become intolerable to a patient, effective therapies are now available to assure relief from almost all forms of distress during the terminal phase of an illness." At the end of life, in the most extreme cases, palliative sedation can prevent suffering. "As a palliative care physician I aid people in dying by treating their symptoms and supporting them through the difficult practical and emotional tasks of completing their lives," says Dr. Ira Byock, a Dartmouth professor and director of the Providence Institute for Human Caring. "In more than 35 years of practice I have never once had to kill a patient to alleviate the person's suffering." In fact, concern about pain is not a major reason given by those who have assisted suicides in places where it is legal; in Oregon and Washington , it is not even among the top five reasons, according to official state reports. The top concerns patients cite are the loss of autonomy, the inability to do certain activities, the perceived loss of "dignity," and the feeling of being a "burden" on others. Legalizing assisted suicide, in practice, does not authorize the killing of those who are in great physical pain; it authorizes the killing of those who are disabled and dependent. Of course, disease and disability involve real difficulties and fears. But the solution to these problems is not suicide. The solution is to provide the emotional support and medical care that patients need, including mental health care and palliative care. That's what genuine compassion requires. All people deserve protection, care, and support Most states that have considered assisted suicide have rejected it—and for good reason. Legalizing assisted suicide is a grave mistake. It jeopardizes the lives of vulnerable people, especially those who are sick, disabled, and disadvantaged. We should instead strive to ensure quality palliative and hospice care. Every human being—irrespective of age, illness, and disability—deserves protection and compassion under the law.

Pro-life citizens can influence public policy by urging their representatives to support pro-life bills and oppose anti-life legislation. Here are some tips. TIPS FOR CONTACTING LAWMAKERS Elected officials work for you, their constituents, and they should know what their constituents think. Pro-life citizens can influence public policy by urging their representatives to support pro-life bills and oppose anti-life legislation. Here are some tips for contacting elected officials through emails, letters, phone calls, or personal visits. General tips Know beforehand your elected official’s voting record on life issues, political history, and relationship with MCCL. You can check our Legislative Accountability Ratings or contact MCCL to obtain this information. Be calm, reasonable, respectful, and politely firm. Threats (“I will vote against you!”) and open antagonism won’t work. Don’t just tell your elected official how you would like him or her to vote on a particular bill. You should also give reasons for your position. Press for specific commitments by asking questions such as, “Will you vote for this measure?” It is not enough for a legislator to just say “I’m pro-life” or to give vague expressions of sympathy. If you don’t have the answer to a question, don’t worry. Let your lawmaker know you will get back to him or her, and then do so in a timely manner. Contact MCCL if you would like help finding the answer. Whatever your contact method, one of your goals should be to establish a positive relationship with your elected official. For this reason alone, every contact is worthwhile. Always thank elected officials for their time, even when they don’t vote pro-life. Please forward a copy of your communication—and the response you receive from your legislator—to MCCL. If you visited or phoned him or her, write up a summary, note what was said, and forward a copy to MCCL. These are helpful to our lobbying efforts. Additional tips for visiting elected officials Be sure to make an appointment in advance and provide a list of who will be present with you. Be on time! You don’t want to keep your elected official waiting. Stay on topic and avoid small talk. You’ll want to get down to business as soon as you can to make the most of the time you have. Bring a few concise, reliable printed materials to leave with your lawmaker. You don’t want to overload him or her with information that won’t be read. Additional tips for calling elected officials You may ask for the elected official, but expect to leave a brief message with an assistant. When leaving a message, make sure you let the assistant know who you are (include your contact information), what issue you are concerned about, and specifically what you are asking of the legislator. Ideally, these will be one sentence each. Indicate if you would like a response from the elected official. Additional tips for writing elected officials Time is of the essence when contacting your elected official. Email is preferable, but if you decide to mail your correspondence, make sure to allow time for it to reach your legislator before commitments on issues have been made. Brevity is important! You don’t need to write an essay for it to make an impact. The shorter your message, the more likely your legislator will read it personally. If you are providing outside information, make sure it is concise and from a reliable source. Indicate if you would like a response from the elected official, and always include your return address. Contact the MCCL office with questions or for any additional information. We are here to help you!

Update: The 2025-2026 Choose Life Drive is now complete. Thanks to everyone who generously contributed! For MCCL's 2025-2026 Choose Life Drive, we are excited to continue our partnership with EveryLife, a pro-life diaper company, to advance our shared mission of helping moms and babies. Last year, thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our expectations, so we're DOUBLING our goal this year to provide diapers and wipes for twice as many babies. Here's how it works: Donations to the MCCL Choose Life Drive will provide EveryLife diapers and wipes to the 80+ pregnancy resource centers across Minnesota. Our aim this year is to provide two boxes of diapers and wipes (enough to care for a baby for two months) for each and every center. Your gift of $25 provides two weeks' worth of diapers and wipes for a baby; $50 provides a full month's worth. Make your contribution today! The annual Choose Life Drive is a response to the Dec. 15 anniversary of the horrific Doe v. Gomez ruling, which imposed taxpayer funding of abortion in Minnesota. It lasts until the end of January. This year's Drive comes at an important time: In 2023, lawmakers repealed Minnesota’s Positive Alternatives Act, which had provided funding to dozens of life-affirming programs supporting thousands and thousands of women. With that funding going way, many pregnancy resource centers are less able to meet the needs of pregnant women in Minnesota. Your help is very appreciated! If you'd like to go beyond diapers and wipes, you can give to the Choose Life Drive through our registry of other items for moms and babies. All items will be distributed to pregnancy resource centers that serve mothers and families across Minnesota, offering practical assistance, hope, and alternatives to abortion. You can also download promotional posters to share and encourage others to participate in the Choose Life Drive. Thank you for your compassion and your commitment to life!

You can sign MCCL's petition to support lifesaving legislation in Minnesota. PETITION TO THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE: PROTECT BORN- ALIVE INFANTS In 2023, Minnesota legislators and Gov. Walz repealed the requirement to provide “reasonable” lifesaving care, “consistent with good medical practice,” for infants who survive abortion. Data from the state health department shows that in most years several babies survive abortion in our state. We call on legislators to protect these newborns by restoring their right to treatment that could save their lives. Your signature enables you to receive pro-life communications from MCCL. A print version is also available for you to download, print, and use at church and in your community to gather petition signatures . First name* Last name* Address* Phone Email I am at least 18 years old * Submit

MCCL's many printed pro-life educational pieces and other liteature may be downloaded, or ordered by contacting MCCL. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS MCCL produces many educational brochures, fliers, and other materials about right-to-life issues. Some of them are posted below; click on them to view and print. You may order these and other materials by contacting MCCL . For MCCL Global Outreach (GO) brochures, visit the GO website . Recent materials Minnesota's extreme abortion policy (flier) Pro-life petition Pro-life heroes coloring book Other materials The dangers of chemical abortions (flier) Planned Parenthood: Abortion. Money. Politics. Scandal. (flier, legal size) Oppose the legalization of assisted suicide (English/Spanish flier) Why pro-life? The case for inclusion (flier) Life Before Birth (flier) | Spanish version How abortion hurts women (brochure) | Spanish | French Stem cell research & human cloning (brochure) Assisted suicide and contagion: How assisted suicide advocacy and legalization threatens the lives of vulnerable people (white paper) MCCL: Who we are and what we do Kids' materials Kids' science quiz "My Mom and Me" pro-life activity book Come see me in the womb Can you guess? Crossword puzzle Pro-life origami hand game

Find information about specialized pregnancy and maternal services that help to meet the needs of women. ADDITIONAL PREGNANCY RESOURCES Below is information about specialized pregnancy and maternal services that help to meet the needs of women. (These are not the same as pregnancy care centers .) Amazing Grace Maternity Home Twin Cities home offering women hope for the future. 763-533-8642 Cradle of Hope Offers financial assistance grants for pregnancy-related expenses statewide. http://cradleofhope.org/ | Roseville: 651-636-0637 Crescent Cove Offers support to children with shortened life expectancies, and their families. | Brooklyn Center: 952-426-4711 Enkrateia House of Hope A faith-centered Shepherd Home for pregnant mothers to live during and after pregnancy. | Twin Cities: 507-516-2229 Grace Place Offering support and guidance though education, information, referrals, and advocacy. http://graceplacewinona.com/index.html | Winona: 507-452-2283 Holy Family Catholic Adoption Agency Adoption services for birth mothers and adoptive families. www.holyfamilyadoption.org | St. Paul: 612-209-5869 Missionaries of Charity Home A home for women who need shelter during pregnancy. Minneapolis: 612-721-8614 The Mysterious Miscarriage Sisterhood Supporting families who have experienced the trauma of miscarriage: www.mysteriousmiscarriage.com | 320-597-4138 The Nest Maternity home meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of women facing unexpected pregnancies. www.thenestmn.org | St. Michael: 763-267-7797 New Horizons Adoption Agency Free services for birthparents including counseling, support groups, assistance with housing and financial resources. http://www.nhadoptionagency.org/ | 1-800-314-3370 or 507-528-3518 New Life Adoptions Comprehensive adoption services for both birth parents and adoptive parents. | 612-746-5658 or 507-550-1561 www.newlifeadoptionsmn.org The Nurturing Network Primarily for the college or career woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Resources are located in every state, all without charge. http://www.nurturingnetwork.org/ | 1-800-TNN-4MOM Perry Center Maternity home providing for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. www.perrycenter.org | Fargo, N.D.: 701-241-9289 The Philomena House A residence for homeless expectant mothers. www.philomenahouse.org | St. Paul: 651-373-1205 Prenatal Partners for Life Supporting families expecting or parenting a special needs child. www.prenatalpartnersforlife.org | Maple Grove: 763-772-3868 Safe Place for Newborns Confidential help for overwhelmed new mothers, and foster care for newborns at risk of being harmed or abandoned. Newborns may be brought to any hospital. www.safeplacemn.org | 1-877-440-BABY Sidelines National Support Network Supporting women with complicated pregnancies and their families. https://www.sidelines.org/ | 1-888-447-4754 Star of the North Maternity Home Christian-based housing for pregnant mothers and their babies. | Duluth: 218-461-0564 Sustaining Grace Provides 3D and 4D ultrasounds (when they can’t afford it) for the parents of babies who have received a terminal diagnosis. | 612-850-8400 Organizations listed on this page are not necessarily endorsed by MCCL and should be evaluated by individuals who plan to use their services.

MCCL's pro-life summer camp provides pro-life education to equip students to be knowledgeable and effective pro-life advocates and leaders. MCCL's 2026 Life Leadership Camp will take place June 22-25 (for grades 9-12) and Aug. 9-12 (for grades 6-8) in Paynesville, Minnesota. Registration is now open. MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Life Leadership Camp is MCCL's annual pro-life summer camp for young people. Please note that, in a change from past years, we're now offering two different camps—one for middle school students and one for high school students. Students and parents should make plans now! Life Leadership Camp — middle school: August 9-12 at Koronis Ministries (Paynesville, MN) For students who will enter grades 6-8 in the fall. Register now . Life Leadership Camp — high school: June 22-25 at Koronis Ministries (Paynesville, MN) For students who will enter grades 9-12 in the fall. Students must be under the age of 18. Register now . The Camp empowered me to have more meaningful conversations with friends and to share what I've learned with others. I also hope to start a [college pro-life] club. - Previous camp attendee Spanning two full days and two partial days, each Life Leadership Camp offers impactful pro-life education, compelling guest speakers, engaging activities, and outdoor fun with fellow students from across the state. Students will learn how to make a difference for life as pro-life leaders in their schools and communities! Cost to attend is just $100 per student, which includes meals, accommodations, materials, and a T-shirt; scholarships are also available. Both camps take place at Koronis Ministries in Paynesville, which is west of the Twin Cities in central Minnesota. Life Leadership Camp (originally called Camp Joshua) began in 2015 and has taken place each summer since, with the exception of 2020. Please contact MCCL with any questions or concerns! Find Life Leadership Camp promotional materials here .

At a time when Minnesota faces rising abortions and increasingly extreme pro-abortion laws, MCCL’s new Center for a Pro-Life Minnesota aims to reawaken a pro-life culture in our state. At a time when Minnesota faces rising abortions and increasingly extreme pro-abortion laws , MCCL’s new C enter for a Pro-Life Minnesota aims to reawaken a pro-life culture in our state. The Center, a special outreach arm of MCCL, will inform and persuade Minnesotans through events, presentations, traditional and social media, advertising , and more. The Center will also equip and activate pro-life Minnesotans and train them to engage in dialogue with others, make a compelling and gracious case for the unborn, and move hearts and minds toward life. Through all of this essential work—and with the dedication of pro-lifers across the state—we can and will rebuild a pro-life Minnesota. Ours can and will be a state that cherishes every hum an life, that loves mothers in need, and that rejects the violence and destruction of abortion. MORE ABOUT THE CENTER More information about MCCL's Center for a Pro-Life Minnesota will be made available soon, along with ways pro-life Minnesotans can support the Center's efforts.

MCCL unequivocally condemns unlawful activities and acts of violence or harassment. MCCL POLICY ON VIOLENCE MCCL unequivocally condemns unlawful activities and acts of violence or harassment. Such actions are fundamentally contrary to our mission and our principles. MCCL works peacefully and legally through education, legislation, and political action. We seek to secure the right to life of all human beings and to protect them from the violence of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. To underscore this long-standing policy, the MCCL Board of Directors adopted the following by-law on Oct. 18, 1987: ARTICLE XIV CONDUCT OF PERSONNEL No officer, board member, or employee of this corporation shall engage in or promote activities which are intended to, or likely to result in: (a) violation of a court order; (b) the arrest of said person; (c) the citation of said person for the violation of criminal law or ordinances of the relevant jurisdiction. Persons deemed in violation of this by-law by a majority of the officers shall be asked by the chief executive officer to submit a formal letter of resignation. Failure to submit a resignation within ten (10) days shall result in automatic termination. The chief executive officer shall inform the full Board of Directors of action taken under this by-law. Terminations and removals of persons under this provision shall be considered as automatic actions by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 10, Article VI, section 3 and Article VII section 3, of these by-laws. Appeals by terminated parties, if requested in writing, will be heard by the full Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

Donated goods, professional services, and event hosting are extremely important in helping MCCL operate more efficiently and effectively. IN-KIND GIFTS MCCL currently is in need of in-kind gifts. In-kind gifts include donated goods, professional services, and event hosting, and are extremely important in helping MCCL operate more efficiently and effectively as we serve our members, chapters, and many vulnerable persons in need of protection. The items listed below are goods, services, and event-hosting that MCCL may currently need. Please consider how your in-kind services might contribute to our lifesaving work. Donated goods Graphic design software Projector Laptop computer Envelope sealing machine Booth backdrops and graphics Billboard rental space Gift cards for gasoline Office supplies Professional services Printing Electrician services Plumbing services Graphic design Cleaning services Web design Translators Catering Event hosting Fundraising reception Fall Tour meeting host Event fundraiser If you would like to help MCCL acquire one or more of these needed items, please contact the MCCL state office at 612-825-6831 or e-mail us at mccl@mccl.org . Thank you!