Not-For-Profits in U.S., Canada Assist Women Seeking Fertility Treatments With Monetary, Emotional Support

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 26 Aug 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The Iowa-based not-for-profit group Affording Hope Infertility Foundation aims to provide women with encouragement and address the stigma attached with infertility, the... Associated Press reports. Established by Cathy Boyes -- who has experienced four unsuccessful pregnancies, two failed adoption efforts and several unproductive fertility treatments in attempts to have a child -- the group's purpose is to provide women with educational materials, a support network, and seminars in which experts can answer questions about infertility and adoption. In addition, Boyes said she would like to offer financial assistance to women seeking fertility treatments, which can cost $11,000 to $15,000 per cycle. More than six million U.S. residents of reproductive age are infertile, and fourteen states have laws requiring insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment (Hadish, Associated Press, 8/22).

Canadian Fertility Assistance Fund
In Canada, Cal Greene, medical director of the Regional Fertility Program in Calgary, has launched a similar initiative called Generations of Hope Fertility Assistance Fund, which raises money for people seeking fertility treatments, Toronto's Globe and Mail reports. Greene said his goal is to raise $83,500 by 2006 from individuals and corporations. "Every day we sit across the table from people who have difficulties with being able to afford fertility treatments," Greene said, adding, "We've had people who have sold their cars, people who have taken a second mortgage out on their house. And some people don't have the resources to do any of those things." Greene's initiative resembles the Hope Fertility Fund, which was launched two years ago by the University of British Columbia Centre for Reproductive Health in Vancouver. So far, the center has raised $28,400. According to the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada, about 350,000 couples in Canada cannot conceive naturally, but only a small number seek medical intervention. One round of in vitro fertilization, including the required medications, can cost $5,000 to $8,350 in Canada, and most health care plans do not cover the procedure (Walton, Globe and Mail, 8/23).

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