The Knights of Columbus Kona Council 13227 on Aug. 31 presented a check for $25,410 to the Pregnancy Center of Kona, a non-denominational counseling and pregnancy testing service, covering the cost of a new ultrasound machine that will monitor the health of babies in the womb and allow mothers to see their development.
According to Ana Schaetzle, executive director of the center, “80 percent of the women who see their baby’s picture on ultrasound decide for life and choose to give birth to the baby they have seen.”
“Many take copies of the picture to show it to other members of their family and friends,” she said.
The new machine replaces an earlier machine that had provided nearly 5,000 ultrasound pictures but needed to be replaced.
The donation was made possible by the Knights’ Ultrasound Initiative Program, a national program that provides medically certified pro-life pregnancy centers with modern ultrasound monitors.
The contribution was made possible by combined funding from the Knights’ Supreme Council in New Haven, Conn., the Hawaii State Council and the Kona Council.
Knights of Columbus Hawaii state secretary Steve Lopez, who was the master of ceremonies for the presentation, said that pregnancy centers in every state have been beneficiaries of this program.
“It’s fitting that the 50th state was the 50th state to make a donation,” Lopez said.
As of this past April, matching funds from the Supreme Council contributed to the purchase of more than 334 ultrasound machines nationwide at a cost of over $8.5 million.
When a woman comes to The Pregnancy Center, it is usually to determine if she is pregnant. Staff members provide a pregnancy test and help needed if the pregnancy is confirmed.
“This new ultrasound machine is an answer to prayer,” said the center’s director of operations Matthew Schaetzle at the blessing and presentation ceremony Aug. 31. Father Anthony Rapozo of St. Michael Parish blessed the equipment.
Ana Schaetzle said her center provides the only such support on the Big Island and that 70 percent of its clients are from outside Kona and are predominately poor. She said the new ultrasound machine is upgradeable and portable, which allows it to be brought to the client if necessary.
The Ultrasound Initiative is one of many Knights’ programs that include Coats for Kids, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Global Wheelchair Mission and others funded by dues contributions to their Culture of Life Program.
The Pro-Life Office of the Diocese of Honolulu worked with the Knights of Columbus to secure approval of the ultrasound machine.
