Empowered, Invested & Committed to Reproductive Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cherisse Scott, Founder & CEO, SisterReach
901.310.5488
cherisse@sisterreach.org

SISTERREACH OFFERS PRACTICAL SUPPORT FUNDING TO WOMEN SEEKING ABORTION CARE IN TENNESSEE

MEMPHIS, TN, AUGUST 1, 2016:  Today, SIsterReach rolls out their latest advocacy program, the TN Repro Access Fund (TNRAF), a practical support fund created to help supplement practical expenses women face when trying to access abortion care in Tennessee. 

Tennessee's 48-hour waiting period, which requires a woman to have unnecessary multiple visits to an abortion clinic instead of only one, has caused greater financial burdens on poor women who have to coordinate childcare, lodging, and/or ground transportation in order to access abortion care. 

"Targeted regulations against abortion providers (TRAP Laws) have caused a great disparity among poor women in and around our state who depend on our abortion providers for safe and affirming abortion care. Some women travel 300+ miles in order to access these services. I have seen patients with no choice but to leave their children in the car with the windows down on a summer day because they could not afford childcare and their abortion procedure. A routine abortion appointment could last up to 6 hours. Women traveling long distances are left to sleep in their cars if they do not have lodging provisions due to the 48-hour waiting period. These are unacceptable human rights standards for any person seeking healthcare," said Cherisse Scott, founder and CEO of SisterReach.

"We hope that our TNRAF program will help remedy some of the expenses women face and bring dignity back to women seeking abortion care in Tennessee - because women deserve better," said Scott.

Starting today, women will be able to access the fund toll free and online via the SisterReach website. Funds will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, once a week. The fund will help women with c hildcare, h otel expenses, t ransportation and food expenses.


Cherisse Scott is available for interview upon request. 

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