The message to local 40 Days for Life participants was a somber one: ?Tuscaloosa is the abortion capital of Alabama.?

That, in a single sentence, is why the prayerful vigil is so desperately needed in this city, which is also the home of the University of Alabama.

The local leaders did their homework, consulting state records to learn the extent of the challenge they face. The Tuscaloosa abortion facility, West Alabama Women?s Center, did more than half of all abortions in Alabama in 2014. They learned that each year, more babies are aborted in Tuscaloosa County than are born alive.

?Last week,? said one of the Tuscaloosa volunteers, ?the West Alabama Women's Center was so busy that there was standing room only inside. I spoke to some of the people who drove the clients to the clinic. Some of them were visibly upset because there were so many women inside.?

And so they pray.

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David Brandao, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

With 40 Days for Life, David wears many hats. Prior to joining the 40 Days for Life team, he was an award-winning radio and TV journalist. He has also served as a board member for a pregnancy help center and as publications director for a major national pro-life organization.