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The American Fertility Association Blog
Gratitude
November 26, 2008 - Wednesday
Posted by Corey
So funny that I’m a fire sign because I do my best thinking in the bathtub. My co-workers insist that I keep a pad and pen next to the tub and my laptop on. So I’m in the shower this morning and I started thinking about how truly grateful I am to so many people, so very many people, who believe in The AFA and all that we stand for and all that we are accomplishing. People who are committed not just to working with us but to being part of us and our mission to people everywhere – those who are hungering for families now, those who are thinking about starting families later on. I am truly grateful. Truly grateful to our friends – so many of you, thank you. Thank you, Jamie Grifo. You have no idea what your vision and partnership means to us. Thank you, Kim Rondeau, and Michael Forsillo. Sean Tipton. David Adamson. Steve Snyder. Ric Paulson. Our WONDERFUL board of directors. Thank you Dana Ackerman. Mark Bush. THANK YOU Sharon LaMothe for everything you do and bring. Thank you to my wonderful co-workers who shine like stars but never require the spotlight. Thank you Carol Lomas. Phil Mansour. Phil and Rosie. Joel and Teresa. Teresa, you are like a light in this world. Mike Berkely. Allison Kelly. Lisa Maleska. And so many others, way too many to list them all here. Thank you, thank you. Much love to you and your families. We are truly grateful to you all.
Corey Whelan
Director of Development
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It’s About Time
November 25, 2008 - Tuesday
Posted by Lisa
Though the meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) was two weeks ago, it seems fresh in my mind. For those who don’t know, ASRM’s annual meeting is one of the most remarkable gatherings in the field of reproductive medicine. Courses, lectures and roundtable discussions focus attention on everything from stem cell research, to PCOS, to single embryo transfer, and what all of these developments mean in clinical practice.
It’s an amazing time to learn, to connect, and to share. The AFA had a booth in the exhibit hall for three full days. Corey and Brian accompanied me to the convention, and Lisa, Melinda, and Viv minded the store while we were away. We met with other non-profits to discuss collaboration, with for-profits to discuss funding and with health care professionals to discuss the future of reproductive medicine and how we can best serve all of you.
My most vivid memory is the great and genuine interest that people showed in early education and fertility preservation. The AFA is launching an early eduction program in 2009. We have two simple premises: 1) that young women in their twenties and early thirties are far more inclined to listen to a message about reproductive health while doing something they enjoy with their friends - like having a manicure, or eating lunch at the health club, and 2) the information that we’ll provide can actually reduce the incidence of infertility later in life, when and if these women choose to have children.
As people came by the booth, we heard a theme repeat over and over again: “it’s about time.” It’s about time that we quite wondering why young women don’t talk to their doctors or spend a day at a fertility conference, but simply did something about it. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. Taking education to young women, in comfortable, non-traditional settings, across the country. And we’re really excited about it.
One physician who stopped by to talk said that we’re “creating change.” I like that. It keeps all of us inspired.
Sincerely,
Ken Mosesian
Executive Director
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Evening at The Getty’s
November 24, 2008 - Monday
Posted by Lisa
This year’s Illuminations event was a hit! I’ve only been on the job since early July, but being surrounded by such a classy group of people in one of the most beautiful homes in the country had me awestruck and feeling pretty good about making a career shift from television news to communications. As we’ve been telling you, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Getty underwrote the entire cost of Illuminations – and when I say entire I mean food, drinks, use of home, and staff of waiters and assistants that would blow your mind. The generosity shared by the Getty is second to none.
Illuminations is one of The AFA’s benefits for which supporters pay a pretty penny to attend. Since our expenses were so low, we managed to raise a nice chunk of change to put directly toward our educational programs and support services. I’d personally like to thank everyone who attended and spent the evening with us in such a prestigious setting. I’d also like to thank Dr. Linda Giudice of University California San Francisco and Teens for Safe Cosmetics for attending – both of whom were honored by The AFA at Illuminations on November 8th. Brenda Strong and Andrea Bowen, both actresses from the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives, also gave us their time and priceless support by attending. And, of course, I would be remiss without sending out a huge thank you to Rosanna Chenette and her host committee for putting the gears in motion to make Illuminations SF a success.
As the holidays approach and the year winds down, all of us are putting the final touches on our 2009 AFA event calendar. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year for The AFA. Stay tuned and hang on for the ride!
Brian Armentrout
Communications Director
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I’ve Seen It All
November 18, 2008 - Tuesday
Posted by Lisa
In a high school containing around 1,500 students, I’ve seen it all. But what is “it all”? I see both positive and negative reflections on today’s teenage society everyday on my way to class. As for the positive, I see students attempting to better their community by putting on events such as school wide basketball tournaments where the revenue is donated to local organizations. For the negative, I see the occasional fight over something as ridiculous as two people wearing the same outfit. However, one thing that always strikes me, and undoubtedly makes me double take would be those individuals in my school that are pregnant.
I am not here to condemn and bash those individuals who have a child at such a young age, because I am simply not in a position to do so. I am not one to reject or approve of a situation of which I know little about. However, I would have to ask these individuals one question: Are you ready? What teenager, or for that matter, an individual in their early twenties has the time, and energy to take care of a child? The teenage years of an individual are crucial. In those years, a young person develops into who they will be for the rest of their life. I do not want to say a child “gets in the way,” but having a child at such a young age would not be beneficial for either the parent or the child. So why put oneself in that situation? I am yet to come up with an answer.
What does having a child at such a young age do for an individual? I guess all I can say is to just be careful. Whatever decisions an individual makes are up to them, but the simple answer to NOT having a child is to be careful – whatever that may mean. Think about the child. Will they grow up in a social and family healthy environment? More times than not, the answer is no. I’m open to feedback on this topic, as I understand it’s controversial, and would like to hear others views.
Thank you for your time,
John Taylor
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Healthcare and A.R.T.
November 10, 2008 - Monday
Posted by Lisa
I know I am not the only one who is glad this election season is over. I never thought I would look forward to the day when regular, non-political commercials would be aired again. It’s not my job to talk about the election, and my opinion of the outcome, but it is my job, along with every other American citizen, to voice my opinion on what needs to be done in these next four years.
Understandably, health care has taken a back seat to some of the more mammoth issues such as The War in Iraq, The War on Terrorism, and of course, the economy. I am no politician, and seriously doubt I ever will be, but I am now in a position where I have a voice, and I plan to use it. What was the major issue before the stock market fell out? Healthcare. Ever since I can remember the government has come up with plenty of plans for improving the American healthcare system, but those plans only remain on the paper they were written on.
I’m sure you are familiar with the $700 billion bail out plan by this time. I’m proud of the American Government for solving the problem, and hopefully keeping the country out of a depression. However, I thought about this whole $700 billion business and have some thoughts of my own. I seriously doubt all $700 billion will be used to bail out the banks because thankfully, the stock market is slowly starting to build back up. So where are the billions of leftover dollars going? I can’t answer that question, and I doubt to many people can, but I doubt much of it will be going to the backseat issue of healthcare.
Let’s say the government threw A.R.T. one million dollars. One million dollars, undoubtably an enormous amount of money - but relative to $700 billion? That’s about .01% of the money used in the bail out plan. With that one million dollars, 100 families could go through IVF and start a family. Of course, the government cannot pay for these types of procedures because that is simply not how our healthcare system operates. But what I am trying to say is the money is there.
The public cannot let the health care issue fade away. If it does, so will any chance of A.R.T. ever gaining any type of acknowledgement whether it be from the government, major insurance companies, or even the general uninformed public. Only time will tell, but the public can’t watch the clock tick - we have to act! Bring A.R.T. and healthcare in general back to the forefront, because like the economy, it is an issue that directly affects all of us.
Thanks for your time,
John Taylor
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