CARMEL, Ind. — A significant event supporting women’s health care took place on Thursday night, featuring players from the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. The fundraiser, entitled Playing for Our Lives, was organized by the Indiana Reproductive Freedom PAC and aimed to draw attention to critical gaps in access to reproductive health services across Indiana.

Highlighting Women’s Health Issues

During the event, held at the Ritz Charles venue, approximately 400 attendees gathered to engage with speakers discussing the state’s current reproductive health landscape. The Indiana Fever players, Brianna Turner and Kelsey Mitchell, emphasized the urgency of issues ranging from contraception access to maternal care.

Personal Stories Shared

Brianna Turner, who plays forward, expressed support for her teammates’ reproductive rights by sharing personal experiences within her circle. “I think I’m happy she got the opportunity to get [an abortion]. But there is such a stigma attached,” she explained, referring to a teammate’s past experience with abortion.

Kelsey Mitchell, a guard for the team, recounted her sister’s experience while they both played basketball at The Ohio State University. “Many people don’t know that we came in together to play basketball, but so much more of life happened, and my sister ended up being pregnant on the team,” she shared. She stressed the emotional support her sister required from family and healthcare professionals during that challenging time.

Current Legal Landscape in Indiana

Indiana currently enforces a near-total abortion ban, a law recently upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals, placing severe restrictions on abortion access with limited exceptions.

Call to Action

Liane Hulka, the executive director of the Indiana Reproductive Freedom PAC, underscored the event’s purpose: “Indiana was the first out of the gate to actively ban abortion.” She noted that many residents remain unaware of Indiana’s restrictive abortion laws and emphasized the need for ongoing community awareness and fundraising efforts. The PAC aims to advocate for politicians who support the expansion of reproductive health services in the state.

Future Goals

In addition to advocating for reproductive rights, organizers aim to address the health care challenges faced by marginalized mothers. They are hoping to raise significant funds to bolster their efforts, aiming for a fundraising target in the six-figure range.

Hulka concluded, “The Fever is a team that is nationally recognized across the country… but the women on the team don’t have equal access to health care.”