Contact: Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life, 979-574-8711

BRYAN, Texas, Jan. 26, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Planned Parenthood has had a string of bad CEOs, and they've all been unable to keep the billion-dollar operation out of scandal and investigations," said 40 Days for Life president Shawn Carney.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Cecile Richards is getting ready to leave her post as CEO of America's largest abortion chain, just as the Justice Department launches an investigation into the scandal in which Planned Parenthood staffers were recorded negotiating the prices of baby body parts.

"Planned Parenthood's image and brand are at an all-time low. Despite receiving more than $500 million of tax funding annually, Planned Parenthood has closed 32% of its facilities since Cecile Richards took over," Carney said.

One of those closed Planned Parenthood locations is in Bryan, Texas and now serves as 40 Days for Life's headquarters. "Since Richards has been in charge at Planned Parenthood, 40 Days for Life has grown from one city to 741 – a reflection that the tide has turned on abortion at the local level," he said.

Planned Parenthood's most recent annual report noted a slight decrease in its own abortion numbers, and in 2017 alone, Planned Parenthood shuttered 32 offices from coast to coast.

"There is a huge disconnect between Cecile Richards and the staff that run Planned Parenthood abortion facilities. We know of 170 workers who have had a change of heart and left the abortion industry during 40 Days for Life campaigns," said Carney. "Planned Parenthood has lost so much credibility and momentum at the local level."

Former Planned Parenthood workers report that the "no show" rate for abortion appointments can go as high as 75% when people are outside praying in front of the abortion location. "Since 40 Days for Life was launched nationally in 2007, we are aware of some 43 Planned Parenthood offices – both abortion facilities and referral centers – that have closed following peaceful 40 Days for Life prayer vigils outside their doors."

The next 40 Days for Life campaign runs from February 14 to March 25 at 351 locations around the world, including more than 130 Planned Parenthood centers. "This will be our largest spring campaign in the 11 years we've been doing 40 Days for Life," Carney said. "It is my prayer that more and more mothers will come to see that they have much better 'choices' than Planned Parenthood."