MCCL has partnered with Cars with Heart to offer a vehicle donation program for our donors. DONATE A VEHICLE Vehicle donations help fund our lifesaving work MCCL has partnered with CARS to offer a vehicle donation program for our donors. The organization offers a quick, hassle-free way for you to dispose of a car and receive a tax deduction while helping MCCL’s lifesaving work. Simply follow the instructions at the link to start the donation process. Proceeds from all donated vehicles will help financially support MCCL’s ongoing efforts to educate Minnesotans about abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. If you have additional questions, please call the MCCL state office at 612-825-6831 or email us at mccl@mccl.org .

Contests provide students an opportunity to learn about right-to-life issues, hone communication skills, and speak out on behalf of the most vulnerable. ESSAY + ORATORY CONTESTS MCCL Oratory Contest The MCCL Oratory Contest and National Right to Life Essay Contest provide students with an opportunity to learn about right-to-life issues, hone their communication skills, and speak out on behalf of the most vulnerable. Oratory Contest The MCCL Oratory Contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. Their task is to research, write, and present a five- to seven-minute pro-life speech on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research. Contestants must submit a video or a link to a YouTube video recording of their speech to the MCCL state office; submissions may be made through May 20. A select group of pro-life judges then evaluate the submissions and select a winner. The winner has the option to compete in the national contest at the National Right to Life Conference June 12-13 in Arlington, Virginia (all expenses for the student and parent chaperone will be paid). To compete, view the MCCL Oratory Contest rules and fill out the application . You can also see the rubric judges use when evaluating speeches. Contact MCCL for more information. Essay Contest The National Right to Life Pro-Life Essay Contest invites teens to write a short essay about their pro-life convictions. The essay must answer this question: "Why are you pro-life?" The Junior Essay Contest is offered to students in grades 7-9; the Senior Essay Contest is for grades 10-12. Essays must be 300-500 words and are due in mid-January. Winning essays are published in the National Right to Life Convention handbook and National Right to Life News . Visit the National Right to Life website to learn more about participating in the Essay Contest.

MCCL is a pro-life presence at the State Fair, county fairs, and numerous other events such as conferences. PRO-LIFE BOOTHS + DISPLAYS Please note: MCCL's booth at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair will be located in the Education building, NOT the Grandstand building (as in past years). MCCL is a pro-life presence at the State Fair, county fairs, and numerous other events. MCCL booths often include pro-life educational materials, life-sized fetal models, fetal development videos, pro-life petitions , and more. Each summer, MCCL provides a pro-life booth at about 85 county fairs across Minnesota. MCCL also has a booth at the State Fair each year. Minnesota fairgoers number in the millions each summer—fair booths are the single biggest pro-life educational outreach of the year. MCCL relies on our chapters and on hundreds of faithful volunteers to staff these booths. To volunteer for a shift staffing the MCCL booth at your local county fair or the State Fair, contact MCCL . Dates for the 2025 Minnesota county fairs are available here . If you are attending a fair, be sure to stop by the MCCL booth to pick up the latest pro-life materials and sign the pro-life petition. And say thanks to our wonderful volunteers. See you at the fair!

Stay up-to-date with news about abortion, assisted suicide, pro-life legislation, MCCL events, and more. SIGN UP FOR PRO-LIFE UPDATES Subscribe to receive MCCL's newsletter or email updates! They will keep you informed about pro-life news in Minnesota—and how you can make a difference for innocent human life.

Contact MCCL to learn more about pro-life events and programs, order resources, donate, or ask questions. CONTACT MCCL Thanks for your message! Submit Note: If you do not hear back from MCCL within a couple days, please contact us again to make sure our messages are going through. By providing your telephone number, you consent to receive calls and text messages. Messages may include requests for donations. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply “STOP” to opt-out & “HELP” for help. View Privacy Policy for more info. Phone: 612.825.6831 Email: mccl@mccl.org Fax: 612.825.5527 Mailing address: Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life 4249 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55409

Information about the development of human beings before they are born. LIFE BEFORE BIRTH The life of a human being begins at fertilization (or conception), when a sperm cell fuses with an oocyte (egg) to produce a new human organism. This individual is called a zygote at the one-cell stage of development, an embryo through the first eight weeks, and a fetus from eight weeks until birth. Each of us was once a zygote, embryo, and fetus, just as we were once infants, toddlers, and adolescents. All of these terms refer to stages in the life of a member of the species Homo sapiens . Here are some of the milestones of human prenatal development. These dates are measured from the time of fertilization rather than from the last menstrual period (the dating method typically used during pregnancy), which occurs about two weeks earlier. Conception: A new member of the human species begins . The zygote has a complete and unique set of 46 chromosomes (23 from each parent), the entire genetic blueprint. He or she needs only a suitable environment and nutrition in order to develop himself or herself through the different stages of human life. 6 days: The developing embryo, called a blastocyst at this stage, begins attaching to the wall of the mother’s uterus. 17 days: Blood cells have developed. 19 days: The eyes start to develop. 20 days: The foundation of the nervous system has been laid. 18-21 days: The heart begins to beat. 28 days: 40 pairs of muscles have developed along the trunk of the new individual; arms and legs are forming. 30 days: Regular blood flow exists within the vascular system; the ears and nasal passages have begun to develop. 6 weeks: The skeleton is complete and reflexes are present. The child has measurable brain waves. 7 weeks: The baby has the appearance of a tiny infant, with fingers, toes, and ears. 8 weeks: All organs are functioning—stomach, liver, kidney, brain—and all systems are intact. 9-10 weeks: The baby squints, swallows, and retracts his or her tongue. 11-12 weeks: The baby sucks his or her thumb and inhales/exhales amniotic fluid. 16 weeks: The mother may begin to feel her child’s movements. The baby grasps with hands, swims, kicks, and turns somersaults 18 weeks: The vocal cords are working. 20 weeks: A wealth of evidence indicates that, at least by 20 weeks, unborn children can experience pain. In the fifth and sixth months, the child responds to outside stimuli, including music and voices. 22 weeks: Babies today are usually capable of surviving outside the womb (with assistance) at 22 weeks post-conception (24 weeks from the last menstrual period). They can often survive even earlier. This is called viability . 38 weeks: The unborn child dramatically increases in size and weight during the second half of pregnancy until birth at about 38 weeks (40 weeks from the last menstrual period). Birth, of course, is not the end of human development. The baby continues to grow and develop in the months, years, and decades to follow. The life of every human being is a continuum beginning at conception and proceeding (if all goes well) through the embryonic, fetal, infant, child, adolescent, and adult stages. More detailed information about human prenatal development, including photographs and videos, is available from the Endowment for Human Development .

The pro-life movement in Minnesota has succeeded in helping to enact many pro-life laws. Here are the highlights. PRO-LIFE LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES Through the hard work and dedication of MCCL staff, volunteers, and members, the pro-life movement in Minnesota has succeeded in helping to enact many pro-life laws. Below are the highlights of MCCL’s legislative work. (Note: Some of these laws have now been repealed .) Human Conceptus Law (MN Statutes 145.421-145.422) Passed in 1973, just months after Roe v. Wade was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court, this law prohibits experimentation on a living human conceptus. Abortion Physician-Only Requirement (MN Statute 145.412, Subd. 1) A year after Roe v. Wade , Minnesota passed an extensive Abortion Regulatory Law that included many protections for both mother and unborn child. Unfortunately, most were declared unconstitutional. A requirement that only physicians perform abortions remains in effect. Taxpayer Funded Abortion Ban (MN Statute 256B.0625) In 1978, Minnesota passed a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion, except in rare cases. Later, in 1995’s Doe v. Gomez decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional, forcing Minnesotans to begin paying for elective abortions. Parental Notification (MN Statute 144.343) Minnesota’s 1981 parental notification law requires that both parents be notified at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on a minor (it includes a court-required judicial bypass option). The law was challenged and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1990 Hodgson v. Minnesota decision. Abortion / Insurance Laws Also in 1981, Minnesota passed a law allowing health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to exclude elective abortions from their coverage. In 1986, Minnesota’s state insurance law was amended to require coverage of maternity care in policies written to cover Minnesota residents. When the Health Care Access bill (which essentially created MinnesotaCare) passed in 1991, pro-lifers successfully amended the bill to prohibit coverage of abortion and abortion-related services. Wrong Life / Birth Suits Prohibited (MN Statute 145.424) Legalized abortion led to a belief among some that it was a doctor’s duty to determine if an unborn child would be disabled, and if so, to then notify the parents so that the child could be aborted. Several of these cases, typically called "wrongful life" or "wrongful birth" suits, made it into the court system. With this in mind, Minnesota passed a law in 1982 prohibiting such cases. The law was challenged, although upheld, in the Minnesota Supreme Court. "Baby Doe" Protections (MN Statute 260C.007) Following a national controversy that arose over an Indiana infant whose parents denied care because their child was disabled, Minnesota passed a “Baby Doe” law in 1985 protecting such infants from withdrawal of medically indicated treatment (including feeding). Fetal Homicide Law (MN Statute 609.266) In the mid-'80s, a Minnesota man was charged with causing the deaths of a mother and her unborn child. On appeal, the court ruled that he could not be charged with the death of the child. Consequently, in 1986, Minnesota passed a fetal homicide law that imposes penalties on those who kill or injure an unborn baby other than in the commission of a legal abortion. Fetal Disposal Law (MN Statute 145.1621) Another law that was passed, challenged, and upheld in the courts (this time the Federal Eighth Circuit Court) was Minnesota’s 1987 fetal disposal law. It ensures that the bodies of aborted babies are buried, cremated, or otherwise disposed of in a sanitary and dignified manner. Advance Directives (MN Statutes Chapter 145C) In 1989, Minnesota considered legislation authorizing living wills that could be used to justify the withdrawal not only of medical care, but also of food and fluids. MCCL successfully lobbied to add some protective amendments to the legislation. One such protection requires that when a hospital refuses to treat a patient long-term, the hospital is still required to provide care to the patient until transfer to another hospital can be arranged. Conscience Clause (MN Statute 145.925) In 1991, the Minnesota Legislature provided a significant funding increase for family planning agencies. Because there was a fear that abortion-supporting organizations would receive preference in receiving these funds, a conscience clause was added that prohibited discrimination, when allocating family planning grant funds, against agencies that do not consider abortion a method of family planning. Prohibition of Assisted Suicide (MN Statute 609.215) In 1992 Minnesota clarified and tightened its law against assisted suicide. The law was weakened by a court ruling in 2014, but the prohibition on assisting someone in a suicide remains in place. Abortion Data Reporting (MN Statutes 145.4131-145.4136) In 1998 lawmakers passed an abortion data reporting law. The annual reports are invaluable, providing such information as why women choose abortion, what method of abortion is used, and how developed the unborn child is at the time of the abortion. Woman’s Right to Know (MN Statutes 145.4241-145.4249) Passed in 2003, the Woman’s Right to Know informed consent law empowers women by ensuring they are fully informed before undergoing an abortion. Specifically, the law requires that women be told the gestational age of their unborn child and the risks of carrying their child to term and of the abortion procedure, and that they be offered information on the baby’s development and alternatives to abortion. Positive Alternatives Act (MN Statute 145.4235) The Minnesota Legislature passed the Positive Alternatives Act in 2005. The Positive Alternatives program provides $2.5 million annually in grants to life-affirming organizations that assist pregnant women. The grants are available to provide various kinds of support and resources to women facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy—so that no woman feels forced into having an abortion. Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act (MN Statute 145.4242) The Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act was added to the Woman’s Right to Know law in 2005. It requires that women be offered pain-reducing medication for their unborn children after 20 weeks. Prohibition on Taxpayer Funding of Human Cloning (2009 MN Session Law, Chapter 95, Article 1, Sec. 5, Subd. 7) This measure prohibited the University of Minnesota from using taxpayer dollars for human cloning research for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. Abortion / Insurance Laws (MN Statute 145.414) This 2013 measure prohibits requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for elective abortions. Abortion cannot be a mandated “benefit” in MNsure, the health insurance exchange required by the Affordable Care Act. Born Alive Infant Protection Law (MN Statute 145.423) Minnesota law already prohibited the killing of an infant who is born alive during the course of an abortion, but an updated version of the law, based on federal law, went into effect in 2015. Safe Place for Newborns (MN Statute Section 145.902) Minnesota enacted the Safe Place for Newborns law in 2000. This program aims to prevent infant abandonment or infanticide by allowing a mother to anonymously surrender her newborn at a designated "safe place," no questions asked. The program was expanded in 2012, and funds were allocated to promote the program in 2015.

It is important to thank mothers for the most precious gift they could ever give their child—life. MOTHER'S DAY Mother's Day is a time to celebrate and honor mothers. Besides the many other reasons to thank them, it is important to thank mothers for the most precious gift they could ever give their child—life. Mother's Day Project MCCL's Mother's Day Project is an annual event to honor mothers with flowers and raise funds for pro-life activities. MCCL offers a variety of options that your group, chapter, or church can choose for your fundraiser. These include orchid corsages, carnation corsages, African violet plants, single long-stem carnations, and "Thanks Mom for Life" buttons. Proceeds can be sent to MCCL or used for your own local MCCL chapter or pregnancy resource center. The 2026 order form , instructions , and additional information are now available. If you'd like to complete the order form electronically, download it here , fill it out, and email to mccl@mccl.org. The deadline for sending orders is April 1. Contact MCCL to learn more about the Mother's Day Project. 'Thanks Mom for Life' Buttons MCCL's "Thanks Mom for Life" buttons can be acquired as part of the Mother's Day Project or ordered separately. They can be given away at churches, festivals, fairs, and other events. Mother's Day Ads MCCL creates a new Mother's Day print ad each year (see the 2026 ad designs below). These ads salute mothers for the gift of life and for all that they do for their children. They are available in color, black and white, and Spanish and can be placed in church bulletins or newsletters and local newspapers. Contact MCCL if you would like to run an MCCL Mother's Day ad, and let us know which design you're interested in. 2026 Ad Designs Design 1 Design 2

Your support enables MCCL to advance our mission of protecting innocent human life from conception until natural death. SUPPORT MCCL Your support enables MCCL to advance our mission of protecting innocent human life from conception until natural death. Thank you for your commitment to life! Donate now : Contribute to MCCL's livesaving work today. MCCL funds : Choose which of MCCL's four funds to support. Monthly giving : Regularly scheduled donations are easy for you and efficient for MCCL. Giving options : MCCL offers a number of other ways to contribute to our efforts. How your donation is used : Your gifts are used efficiently and effectively to make a positive, lasting impact for innocent human life. “Thank you for your dedication and hard work in spreading a positive and hopeful message regarding the value of each and every life in this world.” Tim M., Eagan QUICK LINKS RESOURCES Pregnancy help Why pro-life? MN's extreme policies Press releases Get updates Social media EVENTS March for Life Choose Life Drive Legislative Dinner Student Day @ the Capitol Life Leadership Camp Fair outreach GET INVOLVED Contact MCCL Contact lawmakers Book a speaker Donate Volunteer Privacy Policy

The law provides a needed alternative for mothers who may be at risk of harming or abandoning their newborn child. SAFE PLACE FOR NEWBORNS Several cases of infanticide have occurred in Minnesota in recent years. To prevent such tragedies, Minnesota enacted the Safe Place for Newborns law in 2000 and expanded the program in 2012 at the urging of MCCL. The law provides a needed alternative for mothers who may be at risk of harming or abandoning their newborn child. The Safe Place for Newborns program allows a mother, or someone acting with the permission of the mother, to surrender a newborn anonymously, no questions asked, under the following conditions: The newborn baby is relinquished to a hospital employee at any hospital in Minnesota, a health care provider who provides urgent care services, or an ambulance service dispatched in response to a 911 call from the mother or a person with the mother's permission; The newborn is no more than 7 days old; The baby is unharmed. After the baby is surrendered, personnel at the “safe place” immediately begin arrangements for care for the child. Since 2000, dozens of children have been relinquished under the Safe Place program. It serves as a last resort for mothers who feel desperate—and for their babies. Information about this lifesaving option should be widely disseminated across Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has produced a fact sheet and poster display that can be distributed and posted in schools and other places.