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Here's How You Can Help Planned Parenthood

by Melissah Yang

July has been a tough month for Planned Parenthood. After an anti-abortion group released a covertly shot video of an official talking about fetal tissue donations, the women's health center has gone on the defense, reassuring people it's not in the baby body business and not selling fetal organs for profit. And to top it off, hackers reportedly broke into Planned Parenthood's website Sunday night, though thankfully weren't able to access confidential patient information. It's safe to say that things have been rough so there's never been a better time to learn how you can help Planned Parenthood.

The women's health center offers a number of ways you can get involved, whether it's sharing stories of your real-life experience at one of its clinics or volunteering for the organization. You can also donate money so Planned Parenthood can continue to provide birth control, cancer screenings, legal abortions, and other crucial health care services to both women and men. And given that Republican presidential candidates like Rand Paul have vowed to defund Planned Parenthood if elected, the center could use every dollar it can get.

Even being educated and outspoken about the organization and women's rights can help. You can follow Planned Parenthood on Facebook and sign up for its email alerts. And if you're feeling particularly political, you can #StandWithPP and add your name to any one of its petitions. The center's site also outlines important women's health issues and how you vote on the next ballot. And if you want to go fully public with your pink support, you can change your profile pic.

From its inception, Planned Parenthood fielded attacks from critics unable to understand the necessary services it provides, but the center emerged as a true protector of women's health. Now that the time has come for a show of solidarity, any bit of support that can be sent Planned Parenthood's way would help allow the center to keep doing what it does best: defend women's rights.