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Abortion survivor shares her story

Gianna Jessen spoke at a dinner in Abbotsford hosted by the Right to Life Society.
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Gianna Jessen

She has addressed federal politicians in Britain, Australia, and the United States.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster in the U.K. are numbered among her supporters. The 2011 movie October Baby is loosely based on her life.

And Friday evening she spoke to some 450 Abbotsfordians at a fundraising dinner about what it means for a woman to be an abortion survivor.

Gianna Jessen is a 35-year old American whose teenage mother, in her 30th week of pregnancy, attempted to abort her in a Los Angeles clinic via saline solution, a common method at that time.

Jessen survived that attempt, although the ordeal left her with cerebral palsy. By age 14, she became a pro-life activist.

Jessen’s focus on Friday evening was not primarily on abortion. A fervent Christian, her challenge to those present was to see life as a gift to be cherished.

She was speaking at an event hosted by the Abbotsford Right to Life Society.

Also as part of the evening, the society's director of education, Jared White, announced that a crisis pregnancy centre would be established in the community, so that pregnant women won't have to travel to Aldergrove or Chilliwack for services.