Many prayed in front of abortion clinics, some visited hospitals, others fasted and signed up for the 40 Days for Life initiative.
"When you see that after your prayers, women change their minds, you know that you are saving babies," said Julia Wool, 14, a freshman at Downers Grove North High School, who calls praying in front of the abortion clinics the highlight of her pro-life experience.
This rule bore fruit.
"Everyone had a more mature understanding of the reality of abortion," said McCoy.
Balloons earning fame
The idea of carrying balloons surfaced when the group wanted something positive, happy and cool to carry.
"We wanted to show the joy of kids who have the Holy Spirit and are fired with love for the Lord and the truth," McCoy said.
He asked what would symbolize all of that and the group shouted an answer: "Balloons, balloons!"
The color yellow came naturally. "It goes back to the time when after the election of Pope Benedict XVI, we countered the group of protesters in front of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, wearing the pope's gold and yellow colors," said McCoy.
The balloons made an enormous impact during the March for Life.
"It was not just one balloon per person but clusters of balloons. It became our symbol," said McCoy.
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They earned more fame with the pro-life flash mob in February 2011 at Daley Plaza. The group was peacefully protesting a Walk for Choice.
"We transported the helium balloons in black garbage bags and as the sound of the Lord of the Rings played from a stereo system built into a backpack, they popped out all around the plaza," McCoy said.
The whole event was recorded and uploaded online.
"Before we knew it, all Catholic media were picking it up," said McCoy. They received requests for yellow balloons and help organizing pro-life flash mobs all over the country.
They have been involved in pro-life rallies in Michigan, Ohio, California, Texas and Ireland. They have sent about 25,000 printed yellow balloons to different pro-life groups.
Crusaders for Life is the official pro-life St. John Cantius group but the pro-life teenage group includes many youth from surrounding parishes as well. They are committed to being educated on all life issues.