An anonymous (to the public) couple is stepping up to stand with Planned Parenthood in a big, big way. From City Pages:
The Planned Parenthood clinic in Uptown Minneapolis is due for a makeover.
And now it's getting one, thanks to a massive donation to the regional branch of the women's health care clinic. A recent $6.5 million donation will help pay for replacing the existing clinic with a "state of the art" facility, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota announced Monday morning.
The donation came from "a very generous couple in this community." Though the statement didn't reveal their identities, regional president Sarah Stoesz described the pair as "fierce defenders of making sure women get the health care they need, no matter what."
Thank you to these anonymous fierce defenders of women’s health! It is the largest single donation to Planned Parenthood. More information on the donation and the ambitious plan from the Star Tribune:
The gift, from a local family, is part of a $20 million, three-year campaign that could also result in the construction of new clinics in underserved areas.
The gift is the largest that Planned Parenthood's regional affiliate has ever received from a living donor, and it comes at a time when the family planning organization is under fire in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration has proposed cutting all federal funds, including Medicaid, to Planned Parenthood organizations nationwide; Congress is expected to craft its budget after the August recess. In addition, Congress' effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, stalled for now, proposed a temporary block on Planned Parenthood funding.
"I do think that Planned Parenthood is going to remain in the cross hairs, no matter what happens with the Affordable Care Act," said Sarah Stoesz, chief executive of St. Paul-based Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.
An estimated 13,000 women currently use Planned Parenthood services at the Uptown Minneapolis location alone.