CUMMING — A pregnancy crisis center in Forsyth County recently received a new machine to enhance the capabilities of its mission. The Esaote ultrasound machine replaced one that was nearly eight years old but vital to Whispering Hope Women’s Resource and Pregnancy Center, a local ministry that offers emergency services, coaching and education to those “vulnerable to abortion,” according to Jackie Batson, the agency’s executive director. The St. Brendan’s Knights of Columbus and Respect Life Ministry worked for more than a year to raise funds to donate the machinery, Batson said. They collected baby bottles, individual donations and matching contributions. The gift was valued at more than $50,000 and included delivery, installation and training. Batson said the new machine has a “significant improvement in clarity and many technological advances.” This is the only ultrasound machine the organization has, and Whispering Hope, founded in 1995 and “rebirthed” in 2009, is the only such pregnancy center in the county.“The people who come in here find out they’re pregnant, and it’s a crisis for them. They come in now knowing what they want to do,” Batson said.“Typically, when they see their baby on screen and hear the heartbeat, and see it’s not just a tissue, they make the decision for life in that room.” Whispering Hope has seen 293 clients so far this year, including 180 pregnancy tests and 122 ultrasounds, she said. Of the 80 women who came into the center considering abortion, 60 decided not to go through with it.“We strive to not be a judgmental environment, to make our clients feel safe about what they’re choosing,” Batson said. With the new machine, it’s easier to detect the image of a 7-week-old baby, and it’s easier to detect twins because the imagery is so much better, she said.“With more than 35,000 abortions in Georgia a year,” she said, “it’s important that women in unintended pregnancies have somewhere safe to go without being judged. We want to provide hope and grace. And hopefully one day see an end to abortion.”