May 1, 2025

Mother and daughter share message of hope at Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley Breakfast

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Suzanne and Rachel Guy (center) were the featured speakers for the 10th annual Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley breakfast. (IObserve photo)

HOLYOKE – More than 200 people gathered at Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke for the 10^th annual Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley Breakfast, Saturday, April 26. The featured speakers, mother and daughter Suzanne and Rachel Guy, shared a story of hope, encouraging those in attendance to put their trust in Jesus. Suzanne Guy explained how she and her husband were pressured by doctors to abort their baby girl because of an adverse medical diagnosis she received while she was pregnant. The doctors said the baby would be “incompatible” with life. Rachel was born at 1.2 pounds. Twenty-seven years later, Rachel continues to prove the experts wrong.

“Three doctors insisted that we abort our daughter and today we have a vibrant healthy on-fire for Jesus daughter who would have been equally valuable had she not lived, or had she had all of the issues they said,” Suzanne Guy said. “We are on a mission to tell the world, even in the pro-life community, that all children who have a diagnosis in the womb have not lost their value all of a sudden and are not disposable.”

The Guys, who are from Georgia, have shared their story across the country, in an effort to encourage mothers and fathers facing a similar diagnosis. They said too often, mothers are guilted into aborting their unborn baby.

“It’s such a gift to know that I had parents who fought for me, saw my value, whether I was sick, whether I was healthy, whatever the outcome would have been,” said Rachel Guy.

When asked how she has the courage as a young woman to share her story in a world that depicts abortion as health care, Rachel said, “It’s honestly a loving mandate of Jesus to be that voice for the voiceless.”

St. Mary’s High School senior Katie Corriveau, who won the essay contest, poses with her mother, Lynne Corriveau (IObserve photo)

At the breakfast, people brought donations of diapers, wipes and baby clothes which were given to Clearway Clinic in Springfield. Clearway has two locations, including one in Worcester. The clinics are completely supported by Christian churches. They also receive funding from the Annual Catholic Appeal. The pro-life medical clinic offers free ultrasounds and the abortion reversal pill.

Several students from area schools including Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield and St. Mary High School in Westfield were in attendance. Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley also gave out awards to students for the annual essay contest.

“It’s an opportunity to gather together, to keep the pro-life movement alive because our thing is education,” said George Wilson, Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley board member. “It’s a period of enlightenment for the people. Hopefully they will go back and continue to talk this up and spread the news that way.”

Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley is ecumenical. Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Springfield did the opening prayer. Pastor Stephen Thee, lead pastor at Bethany Assembly of God in Agawam, led the closing prayer.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.