When most Americans think of abortion, they frequently refer to the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that legalized it. However, it is a lesser known case that helped make abortion so prevalent: Doe v. Bolton.
Sandra Cano, the “Mary Doe” of the infamous case,never wanted an abortion. But, like Norma McCorvey, the Roe of Roe v. Wade, she was used to topple pro-life laws across the country. Now, Cano is in the hospital in poor health.
As Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life tells LifeNews, “Sandra Cano, a dear friend and the Doe of the Doe v. Bolton Supreme Court decision, is critically ill in a hospital outside of Atlanta.”
According to Pavone, Cano’s voice has been attacked by throat cancer and she is dealing with both sepsis and heart failure.
Pavone is asking for prayers and healing for Cano, who became a pro-life advocate after her case was used to usher in abortion on demand.
“Sandra has always expressed both in public and in private the burning desire to see the decision that bears her name overturned. I have been blessed so many times to help her get her message out, and to encourage her personally. I pray that the Lord will give her healing and many more years here on earth to see even greater fruits of those efforts,” he said.
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As the companion case to Roe v. Wade, the Doe decision saw the high court define “health” to include “all factors — physical emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age” that may prompt someone who have an abortion. Pro-life groups have since opposed health exceptions in any pro-life legislation because it would essentially all for all abortions to remain legal.
Cano eventually filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Doe v. Bolton but was unsuccessful.
