Project Description
Cover Story
Dr. Stephen Sammut Presents Groundbreaking Research at Annual West Virginians for Life Convention.
Alicia Martin, WVFL Program Director
Delegate Bryan Smith, WVFL Executive Director Dr. Wanda Franz, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, Delegate Rick Hillenbrand, Keynote Speaker Dr. Stephen Sammut, and WVFL Vice President Riley Keaton
“Every Voice Matters” was the theme that drew approximately 70 attendees to the Trinity Assembly of God fellowship hall in Fairmont for the Annual West Virginians for Life State Convention on Saturday, October 4th. Doors opened at 9 a.m., and the Harrison County WVFL chapter graciously provided a continental breakfast. Marion County oversaw the much-appreciated coffee. Beautiful, color-coordinated centerpieces coordinated with other decorations, thanks to the generosity and talent of Linda Day. Pastor Doug Joseph gave the Invocation, and WVFL’s new President, Lacey Evans, welcomed the audience.
The primary speaker was Dr. Stephen Sammut, a behavioral neuroscientist whose primary interest and expertise lie in preclinical research. He has authored and co-authored several papers in leading scientific journals, including his groundbreaking studies describing an animal model addressing the behavioral and physiological impact of drug-induced abortion and abortion-pill reversal. Dr. Sammut is currently a Full Professor of Psychology at Franciscan University.
Dr. Sammut’s keynote was entitled “The Truth About the Abortion Pill,” and it had two main points. First, abortion pills cause much more harm than is commonly acknowledged; and second, abortion pill reversal is safe and effective. These realities are common knowledge to many in the pro-life community. But because they are truths that the abortion industry seeks to suppress, they are treated as controversial and/or unsubstantiated by the legacy media. Dr. Sammut’s research is groundbreaking because, when he shows that (using scientific, standardized, time-honored criteria) abortion pills have severely negative physical and psychological impacts on animals, no one can claim that those effects are merely the result of a culture that doesn’t accept abortion or imposes feelings of guilt. Moreover, when he shows that, in animals, high doses of progesterone can, indeed, safely over-ride the abortion pill more than 80% of the time, no one can legitimately claim that the abortion pill reversal process does not work.
In a separate workshop, with the teens, Dr. Sammut addressed specific questions in the context of a roundtable discussion. Convention attendees were encouraged by the presence of this younger generation, who are seeking to help promote a culture of life.
In the Legislative update section, Mary Anne Buchanan presented “The Big Beautiful Bill and Other Federal Legislation.” She was followed by WVFL Vice President Riley Keaton, who unveiled the organization’s 2026 Legislative Agenda. He summarized four goals in that Agenda: 1) Clarify that it is illegal for abortion pills to be mailed into West Virginia from out-of-state; 2) Require continuing medical education for doctors about the dangers of the abortion pill and the efficacy of abortion pill reversal; 3) Support reimbursement for abortion pill reversal under the Support for Mothers & Babies program; and, 4) Support raising the budget appropriation for the Support for Mothers & Babies program to $5 million from $3 million.
In between the morning and afternoon sessions, convention attendees enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from Gourmet Catering, by Mary Kay Lindsay. Rev. Fr. Freddie D’Souza, Parochial Vicar of St. John University Parish in Morgantown, offered the blessing.
The first workshop after lunch was “Don’t Swallow the Lie,” which was presented by WVFL Program Director Alicia Martin. She summarized this educational campaign, which is designed to teach the truth about the dangers of abortion pills and the effectiveness of abortion pill reversal. Billboards and an excellent website – DontSwallowTheLie.com – are currently working in tandem to reach Morgantown-region residents, students, and WVU game attendees. But the vision is to canvas the entire state and, ultimately, share the artwork with other NRL state affiliates so that people around the country are visiting the website and learning the truth.
Teens for Life President Thomas Dinkel inspired and encouraged the audience with a passionate and well-reasoned appeal to continue steadfast in pro-life work of all kinds. Whether it be participating in a drive that serves the needs of a local Pregnancy Care Center, or volunteering in a capacity that supports pro-life legislative efforts, this young man leads by example when it comes to being “actively involved.”
The passage of Amendment 1 in 2024 was a watershed pro-life victory – the first of its kind in the nation. But even with excellent laws in place, it is critical for citizens to understand their rights and responsibilities. Mary Tillman, J.D., the WV Alliance for Ethical Health Care legislative coordinator, helped the audience understand different types of end-of-life legal forms, and which ones best serve pro-life intents. She also spoke on the topic of organ donation, and the recent indications that caution must be exercised in order to prevent abuse within a well-intentioned system.
At the end of the day, the Convention re-implemented an old award that had been lost over time: The Chapter which brought the most members won a set of the large fetal models. Valued at over $300, these soft, size-and-weight-to-scale babies are a favorite ministry tool that both adults and children love to hold. The newly-revived Preston County Chapter was the winner of these models.
In a similar vein, the WVFL Office donated a set of the First Trimester models – valued at $100 – to one very fortunate door prize winner. Everyone who stayed until the end of the Convention was eligible. That set was won by Lacey Evans, president of the Tucker County Chapter and WVFL.
The Angel of the Year award recognizes an individual who has greatly contributed to the pro-life cause, and is presented at the end of each Convention. The 2025 Angel was Randy Meadows. Randy has been active in pro-life ministry for decades, and currently serves both on the WVFL Board of Directors and with the Nicholas County Chapter. He is on the board of Speak Life, which oversees “God’s Battlefield” – a property across from what then was an abortion facility in Charleston. Randy is among the individuals seeking to transform the land into a memorial park, so that the West Virginians killed by abortion are not forgotten.
The day concluded with an encouragement to action – be it volunteering, chapter involvement, prayer, or financial support – in whatever niche the individual is best-suited to fill. Dwight and Sherry Lowther recorded the entire event, and copies can be ordered for $12 from Ekklesia Ministries, 110 Shepherd Ave., Apt #2, South Charleston, WV 25303. Pastor Lowther gave the Benediction, which encouraged everyone to persevere with determination. And after he said “Amen,” a precious two-year-old voice was heard to say, “Amen! Can we go home now?