A day after a terrorist bombing annihilated a reproductive health clinic building in Palm Springs, the facility’s doctor is sending out a strong message of hope and plans to rebuild.
“We will bounce back better than ever before,” Dr. Maher Abdullah of the American Reproductive Centers said in a statement shared with KTLA on Sunday. “Helping families is our calling. Nothing will derail this project.”
Dr. Abdullah shared that the attack “completely obliterated” the clinic building and damaged the surgery center. Luckily, the bombing did not damage the embryos – which, on Sunday, were saved in a heroic mission by two helpers who faced entering the compromised structures.
“FBI agent, Chris Meltzer, and Assistant Fire Chief, Greg Lyle, realized the hopes and dreams of families were stored inside the fertility clinic,” Palm Springs Police Department Chief Andy Mills shared in a Facebook post. “Both men braved the environment to protect the embryos from loss.”
The chief’s post explained how Meltzer and Lyle went inside, reestablished the electricity to repower the incubators and ensured that the cryogenic containers were intact.
“Then they went into a collapsing building to retrieve medical records so treatment could be given this week to couples dreaming of having a family,” said Mills. “God, I love this profession and am honored to walk in the presence of giants.”
As for ARC’s treatment plans in the interim, Dr. Abdullah said they will see patients at a temporary location in Palm Desert on Monday, and they will have further updates in a Thursday press conference.
“We will return to our Palm Springs location once renovation is complete,” said Dr. Abdullah.
Although no time estimate has been given so far on when the site will again be operational, Dr. Abdullah said that the IVF lab on Palm Canyon remains functional – a hopeful sign.
“We forgive the perpetrator,” stated Dr. Abdullah. “Our focus remains on Life and Hope.”
