In 1987, I reluctantly went to Planned Parenthood for a routine Pap test. I hadn’t had one in years. I was young and healthy, but broke – why would I bother? Because the test was free, I could have it done.

So I did. The call I got two weeks later was a shock. I had stage 4 cervical dysplasia. The next stage would have been cervical cancer. But thanks to Planned Parenthood, I was able to get surgery and the care I needed. As a result, I was able to have the family I wanted, when I wanted it.

In a few months, I’ll turn 60. A doctor once told me that I would have died within five years if I hadn’t gotten treatment. Cervical cancer is treatable, but only if it is discovered early. Planned Parenthood probably saved my life.

I hope people in this community will call Sen. Susan Collins to thank her for her past support of Planned Parenthood, and to urge her to continue opposing any effort to block people from receiving care at Planned Parenthood.

Donna Kane

South Portland