For the second year in a row I am participating in the The National Abortion Funds virtual Bowlathon. Why do I do this? Because I believe that striking out barriers to health care can be a matter of life and death.

Through more than 100 affiliate programs all over the country (find yours here), NAF helps women get access to abortions. Abortion Funds programs field more than 90,000 calls a year and serve more than 20,000 women annually. The average first trimester abortion is $468. That’s a hefty price tag and it’s only the beginning of the costs for many women. In the majority of counties in our country there are no abortion providers. And the list is growing of states with only one provider.

So how much does it really cost to get an abortion in America? Do you have insurance? Does your insurance cover it? How far do you have to travel to get an abortion? Do you live in a state that has a waiting period (half require at least a 24-hours), mandatory ultrasound or other hurdles? Do you have to take time off work? Hire a babysitter for your kids — after all 61% of abortions are for women who are already mothers?

If getting an abortion were as easy as anti-choice opponents claim, we wouldn’t need the National Abortion Funds! In truth, it can be an impossible, expensive minefield. Just look at this story of a young mother with a sick child who couldn’t afford to have another child. For her, $100 made all the difference in the world.

This is why I am participating in the Bowlathon again this year. And I hope you will help me meet my goal of raising $100. Please click here to make a donation to the National Abortion Funds Bowlathon.