Midwest Access Coalition

“If there’s one thing I’m certain of, when people need help, I never refuse.”

(cw: mention of sexual assault, death)

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We are so excited to have Jodie Whittaker state-side this December at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, her first American comic con appearance since she started portraying the 13th Doctor! Since we first met her, the 13th Doctor (or "Thirteen") has been a beacon of curiosity, hope and determination who dedicates her every day to helping those in need. As fans, we already strive to embody these qualities of hers on a daily basis, but now with the Doctor herself coming to Ohio, we want to do this more than ever.

To do so, we've started this campaign as a direct response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, which has caused millions of people across America to lose their basic right to bodily autonomy. Every person deserves the right to make their own choices about their body. And the people of Ohio - and America - need help.

We are asking all 13th Doctor fans who are attending GalaxyCon (and those who wish they could) to donate to support the Midwest Access Coalition (MAC). MAC is a practical abortion fund helping people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest access a safe, legal abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, and emotional support. Fans of every Doctor are welcome and encouraged to donate from anywhere around the world; you don’t even need to be a Whovian to participate!

The anti-abortion laws in Ohio are some of the strictest in the country. With Roe overturned, abortion is legal in Ohio only up to the 6th week of pregnancy. As many of you are aware, this is often before a person even knows that they’re pregnant, meaning that you are unable to get an abortion before you might even realize you need or want one. The only exception beyond this 6-week mark is if the doctor determines it’s a medical emergency and necessary to prevent the person’s death or to avoid "serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." This is up to the doctor’s discretion. There are absolutely no exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, or the pregnant person’s mental health.

The Doctor’s story is one of discovering self-identity, of feeling at home in your body, of having the choice to live life on your own terms. It’s about acceptance, understanding, community, and determination. It’s about self-actualization. The Doctor’s story is all of our stories, and, like the Doctor, we all deserve the right to live our lives with the freedom to choose how we do it.

Abortion access is bodily autonomy. Abortion access is healthcare. Abortion access is queer liberation. Abortion access is a human right.

We think 13 would agree.

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We want to give back to you as well! So as thank you for donating, we are so excited to offer original art by Kelly Rosen, a Kentucky-based artist and fellow 13th Doctor fan.

We will ship internationally. 100% of the funds you give will go towards abortion access - none of the money donated will go towards printing or shipping the art.

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RESOURCES

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Midwest Access Coalition (MAC) envisions a world in which all people have access to safe, free, legal abortions wherever they live. They are a grassroots, volunteer-run, community-funded organization. Founded in 2014, MAC has served more than 2,000 people from 29 states. MAC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

For more of Kelly's work, visit her on Twitter and Instagram at @KellyERosen.

This is a fan-run fundraiser and was not started by nor is affiliated with GalaxyCon, the BBC, BBC Studios, or Jodie Whittaker herself.

Please join WHOAA! Washtenaw Helpers on Abortion Access to support at the HOMES campus on Thursday, September 8 at 6:00 pm to Midwest Access Coalition (MAC), a non-profit (501(c)3). MAC helps people with costs associated with abortion, like travel, lodging, and childcare. MAC envisions a world where all people can access safe, free, legal abortion wherever they live.

But if a person is struggling to come up with enough money to pay the bare minimum for their procedure, how will they be able to pay for travel, hotel stays, childcare, food, and other costs? Did you know that only about 2% of all funds donated for reproductive justice go to access funds like this? But they are more critical than ever. This is why Katie Scott, Eli Savit, and Carrie Rheingans are trying to raise money to support people across the midwest who don't have progressive local governments or prosecutors who will fight for the right to choose.

You can help WHOAA! How? Attend the fundraiser, learn about what we are doing in Washtenaw County, hear from community leaders, and donate to MAC to help those who need our help.

Suggested Giving Levels:

$1000 Reproductive Justice Warrior: Covers all costs for travel for one woman and companion; helps defray legal fees that might be necessary

$500-- Airfare Hero: Help secure roundtrip airfare

$250-- Hotel Helper: Covers a stay for two nights in a budget hotel

$100-- Gas Guarantor: Helps to pay for driving 500 miles

$75-- Childcare Champion: helps pay for childcare for one day

$50--Train Transporter: Short round-trip train fare

Let's show the Midwest that Washtenaw county knows how to care and work for reproductive rights! Any level of giving provides you with a ticket to the event.

See you at HOMES on September 8!

Chatty Broads will be matching donations up to $5,000 for MAC. Midwest Access Coalition (MAC) envisions a world in which all people have access to safe, free, legal abortions wherever they live. As a practical abortion fund, MAC helps people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest access a safe abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, childcare, and emotional support.