Planned Parenthood dedicates new Carlsbad clinic

By: BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | Thursday, November 17, 2005 11:52 PM PST ∞

CARLSBAD --- Planned Parenthood's new Isabella Center exists in part because of a terrible experience that 74-year-old Elisabeth "Jinx" Ecke can't erase from her memory.

More than 50 years ago when Ecke was a college student at San Diego State University, she accompanied a high school friend on a trip to Escondido to obtain an abortion ---- an illegal surgical procedure in those days.

"She very nearly bled to death that night," Ecke said as she recalled the fear she felt as the blood poured from her friend's body. "I was a sophomore in college, and it was a horrible, horrible experience."

Speaking privately after Thursday's dedication for the new Carlsbad Planned Parenthood center, Ecke said the experience made her a life-long supporter of women's reproductive rights. Ultimately, it helped make the new center at 1820 Marron Road a reality. Ecke and her three children ---- Paul Ecke III, Lizbeth Ecke and Sara Ecke May --- donated $250,000 of the $340,000 needed to renovate the structure where the clinic is now housed.

On Thursday, the clinic's leaders honored the family ---- leaders of the region's flower-growing industry ---- at a catered reception. Among the some 40 attendees were many women old enough to remember the days when abortion was illegal. Some said they now feel more driven than ever to support the cause.

"I think choice for women is the most important thing, and choice for women is in jeopardy today," said Joan Goott, a Del Mar resident who said she's long been a Planned Parenthood supporter.

Key among their concerns is the recent nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Years ago in a job application, Alito indicated that he would like to see the court overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision establishing abortion rights.

Ecke said she isn't surprised to see religious right's opposition to Roe v. Wade gaining strength, saying she started warning friends that this might happen decades ago. Her son said she's always been a fervent supporter of unpopular causes ---- once a leader in the Republicans for Choice movement, Ecke now declines to state a political party preference. She's taught her children that they must help others in their community regardless of the popularity of their causes, her son Paul added.

"I think that's a lesson we learned ---- you don't give back because you should, but because you must," he said. "I think that's especially important when you've got causes that are unpopular."

Opposition to the new center is evident nearly every Friday when a small gathering of protesters aims several-foot-high signs with graphic abortion-related photographs at passing cars.

"It's kind of bothersome to drive by them ---- it's almost every single Friday," said Geri Hughes, an employee at Household Financial next door to the clinic.

But, Thursday night, clinic officials were in a celebratory mood. Their new facility next to the Westfield Shoppingtown's Plaza Camino Real mall is nearly 1,200 square feet larger than their old clinic in south Oceanside. It has five exam rooms, five offices, a lab, a lunchroom and two counseling rooms.

Instead of serving 25 people a day, it can take up to 50, clinic manager Jeanette Redden said.

That's important because of the regional demand for the center's services, said Keith Limberg, vice president of development for Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties.

"Our North County site was one of our most difficult locations because it would take three months to get in (for an appointment)," he said.

The new clinic, which opened this summer, offers birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, abortions, gynecological exams, vasectomies, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

While people who oppose abortion regularly picket the clinic, clinic officials stress that the procedure is only a small part of the work they do. Less than 10 percent of their business is abortions, they said.

Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.

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15 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Martin wrote on Nov 18, 2005 12:28 PM:This story is very upsetting to me. I had no idea that the Ecke family was part of this at all. I am disappointed in their involvement, even if abortion is only 10% of their services. That is 10% of the babies who enter that office, will not be leaving there...Sad, sad statistics....

Donna wrote on Nov 18, 2005 1:30 PM:Less than 10% of their business is actually performing abortions. More than 90% of their business is paving the way for abortions!

KelliM wrote on Nov 18, 2005 3:02 PM:We were very surprised to read about the Ecke's involvement. Now that they have lost their fight to change the agreement they had with Encinitas, hopefully they will move to Guatemala along with their precious poinsettias...

Ted wrote on Nov 18, 2005 3:04 PM:Too bad the Ecke's forebearers didn't have more abortions.

Janet wrote on Nov 18, 2005 3:22 PM:Thank You Mrs. Ecke, I went to Planned Parenthood 24 years ago, I talked to a wonderful lady and she told me to go home and talk to my mom, I did. Today I have a wonderful 24 year old daughter. That was the correct call for me, but every woman in that position must have the right to choose what is right for them. Women have to have control over their own bodies. Planned Parenthood is not the "seller of abortions", they help people make educated decisions for their lives. For some abortion is the right answer for them, they need to maintain the right to make their own medical and ethical decisions. Thank You for supporting them.

Peggy wrote on Nov 18, 2005 4:57 PM:It is amazing to me that the most vocal against abortions are men. Why is that? It is always easier to make choices you don't have to live with.

Dr.Ed wrote on Nov 18, 2005 6:25 PM:To "Peggy"; You are quite presumptous, and insensitive towards men. How do you know that the fathers of aborted babies don't feel pain, guilt, or shame like the "mothers" do? It takes two to make a baby, it only takes the mother to end its life...

John wrote on Nov 19, 2005 12:33 PM:Good for the Ecke family for supporting this project. Even if you don't agree with them on this issue, mature people can agree to disagree. Encinitas has always been a community where Democrats and Republicans can get along even when they don't agree on every issue of politics. The Ecke's have been very involved in helping the local community and hopefully they will continue to do their best to help make the world a better place.

James Lambert wrote on Jan 16, 2006 10:06 PM:It sickens me that this very wealthy family is such an important part of the largest abortion provider in the county. How can the Ecke family live with themselves, thinking that they are indirectly part of terminating the lives of some many 'unwanted' children. Yes they are children not mush or fetuses ... They are babies no matter how you look at them !! God save us from our apathy to this fact.

Francisco wrote on Jan 23, 2006 1:15 PM:"thou shalt not kill"! God will not be mocked man and woman will reap what they sow. God does not wish any to perish, but that all should come to repentance. Repent today for your evil lest you perish in the name of selfishness.

Ann Arbor,MI wrote on Jan 24, 2006 3:41 PM:Thanks for the info. Now a nationwide boycott can now commence.

A Mother Who Chose wrote on May 15, 2006 11:03 AM:I was a resident of the area and had to make a fateful decision at Planned Parenthood when I was very young- Unfortunately, being pregnant, in my family, was shameful enough, regardless if I chose to keep it or terminate it; and since I know I'm not the only one in my position...I think we should focus on the REAL issue: How to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies? Now, a proud mother of a child I can actually support emotionally and financially, I stand behind PP's mission to EDUCATE and SUPPORT women AND men's choices!!!

God-Fearin' Mother wrote on May 15, 2006 11:04 AM:I was a resident of the area and had to make a fateful decision at Planned Parenthood when I was very young- Unfortunately, being pregnant, in my family, was shameful enough, regardless if I chose to keep it or terminate it; and since I know I'm not the only one in my position...I think we should focus on the REAL issue: How to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies? Now, a proud mother of a child I can actually support emotionally and financially, I stand behind PP's mission to EDUCATE and SUPPORT women AND men's choices!!!

Mary Anne wrote on Jan 9, 2007 7:19 AM:I think the thing that bothers me the most (beside the issue they have chosen to support)is that they promote the use of their poinsettias at all Christian churches -regardless of denomination- during the Holy season of Christmas (you know - the child born to an unwed mother who chose to keep him.... and look what he's done for us all.) Kind of oxymoronic for the Eckes not to realize there would be a backlash or "commotion" or even a boycott. To top it all off is having the kids fundraiser as a way for non-profits to raise money and help the Ecke's "continue to give back to the community". Not if I have MY way!

Natalie wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:22 PM:You people really need to calm down. So maybe the Ecke family did some bad things and made some mistakes. You don't need to start boycotting and such over it, do you? Think about how some Ecke family members who have nothing to do with the situation feel. How do you think the kids in that family feel? Honestly. So they made a costly mistake. Like no one else with a big name has done that before.

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