On July 19, during the first evening of the Knights' District Deputy Workshop, a total of $30,000 was donated to a medical clinic in Brampton to be spent on a new ultrasound machine. With that machine, more expecting mothers will be able to experience an intimate moment to view their baby — a procedure often resulting in women choosing life for their child.
Alex Schadenberg, State Life Director for the Ontario Knights, spoke about the rigourous approval process in donating the $50,000 ultrasound machine.
“We needed a doctor who works in an approved medical clinic with ultrasound technicians on staff. Our most recent recipient’s clinic, which he runs in Brampton, fully qualifies in every way,” Schadenberg said of the doctor, who has chosen to remain anonymous.
“He is an amazing man who has been involved in helping the Sisters of Life when women come to them seeking help with their medical needs through ultrasounds and similar assistance. His work has been a great gift and him being a very kind, caring and positive man makes for a perfect mixture in helping these women say ‘Yes, I want to keep my baby.' ”
Program funding is split 50/50, half from the Ontario State Board's fundraising and the rest supplemented by the Supreme Office in New Haven, Connecticut.
Bruce Poulin, Ontario State Deputy, spoke to the importance of the program and how it aligns itself with the Knights’ pillar of supporting life, a sentiment dear to him.
“When I went up to speak at the dinner, I told the audience that my mother was 16 when she was pregnant with me. By today's standards, would I still be around? I don't know. I think the odds would be against me,” he said. “So, as the son of a teenage mother, this is something that hits very close to home.”
It's the second ultrasound machine to be donated by the Ontario Knights, the first being donated in Ottawa back in 2019.
“The 23/24 fraternal year was my first year as the state deputy and we were able to get an ultrasound machine for that year. Now we are fundraising for another ultrasound machine which will happen this year,” Poulin said. “My goal is that in my two-year term, to have at least one ultrasound machine for each year which, knock on wood, seems to be what is happening right now. I am particularly pleased with how events are unfolding with regards to our faith in action.”
Two machines may seem insignificant among the 1,500 donated across North America so far through 13 years of the initiative. However, the Ontario council has found significant challenges when it comes to running the program in Canada.
“Within Canada’s universal health-care system, and certainly in Ontario, there are government regulations on these programs meaning that it has to be for a specific type of situation,” Schadenberg said. “It is very rare in Ontario to be able to do this simply because you need the right combination. We are not purchasing ultrasound machines just to give somebody an ultrasound machine, it is for the exact purpose of what we have done which is to provide it to someone qualified to help pregnancy centres.”
The Ontario Knights expect to be increasingly active as they enter their new fraternal year ahead of 2025’s 125th anniversary. These include rededications of the tombstones of past state deputies, the Pray for Peace monument in Windsor as well as hosting an international Knights dinner to name a few.
To to the Ontario Ultrasound Program, visit https://ontariokofc.ca/programs/faith-in-action/life-2/ultrasound-program/