Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the AFA Website
The American Fertility Association Blog
Live, from the CDC in Atlanta!
September 16, 2008 - Tuesday
Posted by Ken
Today the Public Health Symposium on Infertility concludes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. I had the privilege of being included at the table among some of the most brilliant minds in the fields of reproductive health. Heady stuff, I know.
Thus far we’ve heard presentations on preventable causes of infertility, the management and treatment of infertility, and the health, economic and healthcare financing implications of infertility. And at the conclusion of the day, leaders of consumer organizations such as The AFA were given an hour and a half to have a conversation - from the perspective of patients and consumers - with those top physicians, researchers and economists.
What impresses me most is the compassion that was palpably evident in the room. The genuine caring and concern that everyone at the table brought to the conversation. And the commitment that that the entire group has to move this conversation forward in a tangible way, so that all of us begin working in a more unified and focused way, avoiding duplication of services, and filling the gaps where they exist.
More to come once I return, but know that all of you, through The AFA’s presence at the conference, are being heard as well.
Best always,
Ken Mosesian
Acting Executive Director
The AFA
Categories
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Am I Blue? Coming Out From the Silence
September 10, 2008 - Wednesday
Posted by Corey
Boy, this Honda thing, it has been an amazing experience for my family. I work from home and my kids being kids eavesdrop on every conversation that I have. I remember when they were about four years old my friend Dolores told me that she knew that her daughter was learning about sex from my kids because she was using the correct anatomical names – no peepee in my house. Anyway, my kids are crazy proud of the work that AFA has done around Honda – I know this not because they’ve told me so but because they’re telling all of their friends to read this blog.
So tonight on the subway my daughter shared the most poignant story with me – I felt so great about this – in school (she’s in 8th grade) her class read a short story called “Am I Blue?” It’s about a teenage boy who doesn’t know yet if he’s gay or not. His fairy god mother comes to him (except it’s really a fairy god father dressed in drag) to grant him a wish. The boy wishes that everyone who is gay would turn the color blue – and his father turns blue. And he himself turns a pale shade of blue because he just doesn’t know his heart yet.
Well my heart sang. I thought thank God that the schools (middle school!) are bringing this to kids. Tolerance, acceptance and the ability to tell yourself your own personal truth. What a joy. What a triumph.
There really is hope for a world where we can all love and be who we are. Honda and those who believe in intolerance are losing. I’m proud of The AFA; I’m proud to be a part of this process.
With much love and joy!
Corey Whelan
Director of Development
Categories
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
How Old is Too Old?
September 2, 2008 - Tuesday
Posted by Corey
I had my twins when I was 39. I’m 53 now, they’re 13, going back to school tomorrow, and driving me crazy. Those of you who know me know my story, that I lost a ton of pcos weight about 8 years ago, that I’m in pretty good physical condition (mental, not sure about, but physical, pretty good). I run 20 miles a week and of course that helps. But when I read about 60 and now even 70 year old women giving birth, all I feel is tired! Yikes.
When is a woman too old to have a baby? When is a man too old to father (and parent!) one? And what is old anyway? And who decides?
Now that egg freezing is becoming more and more successful, do we need to mandate an age limit on when our eggs can be thawed out and carried by us?
Do we need to mandate an age limit on how old a woman utilizing a surrogate can be?
And who decides?
The one thing I do know for sure, about all of these swirling issues, is that it is the well being of the children that is the most important, if not the only, issue at hand.
What do you think?
Best always,
Corey Whelan
Director of Development
The AFA
Categories
(2) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink