Contact: Virginia Cline, 614-885-7577

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net and Heartbeat International's joint venture, Option Line, since commencing services in 2003, has served more than 1.5 million people, connecting them directly or referring them to the pregnancy help networks of Heartbeat and Care Net.

Option Line, over these years, has been a blessing not only to those in need, but also to pregnancy help centers and the pro-life movement.

Care Net and Heartbeat are thankful for our long-term relationship and its example of unity within the Body of Christ.

However, more needs to be done to reach and serve abortion-vulnerable women. At this point in time, the magnitude of the challenge, as well as the unique strengths of Heartbeat and Care Net, make two ventures, rather than one, the most effective course for the future.

This move allows each organization to respond quickly to challenges and opportunities in our own areas of strength. To that end, the current Option Line joint venture between Care Net and Heartbeat International will close after February 15, 2012.

Heartbeat International will operate its outreach under the name Option Line. Heartbeat's Option Line will use the toll free number 1-800-712-HELP (4357). The website is OptionLine.org.

Care Net will use the toll free number 1-800-395-HELP (4357) and will operate its outreach under the name Pregnancy Decision Line.

Abortion-vulnerable women and the pregnancy help network will continue to benefit from both of our ventures.

We anticipate that even more lives will be saved as both Care Net and Heartbeat International work vigorously to reach those in need. Both organizations look forward to continuing to cooperate and collaborate in the future, as the Lord leads us. We ask for your prayers as we develop our visions for the future.

Heartbeat International, www.HeartbeatInternational.org / www.HeartbeatServices.org 

Care Net, www.care-net.org