Planned Parenthood in Glenwood Springs says it will be able to offer more doctor’s appointments because of spontaneous fundraising in the Roaring Fork Valley. As of Sunday night, close to $18,000 had been raised.
It’s a far different outcome than expected, after Garfield County Commissioners cut some of the nonprofit’s funding earlier this month. The fundraising in just the last week far outweighs the County’s original $1500.
Vicki Cowart, President of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, says the money raised will go towards providing more people with cancer screenings, birth control, STD treatment, and more. It will not cover abortions. “There is still a fairly high population in [the] Valley of people who come to us that just don’t have enough resources,” she laments. “They’re not on health insurance, and they make enough money that they can’t actually be on Medicaid, so they’re in a tough middle spot.”
Last week GarCo Commissioners defended their eliminating support for the nonprofit, saying it’s too political, and that residents can get doctor’s appointments through Medicaid.