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The American Fertility Association Blog
Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This…..
October 31, 2007 - Wednesday
Posted by Pamela
It has been a really tough week to be the Executive Director of The AFA. This was the kind of week that I thought about opening up an ice cream parlor....where the most complicated issue would be whether the client wants colored sprinkles or chocolate...or replacing a child’s fallen cone. This is a tough blog to write. But nobody has ever called me a shirker.
The AFA is an organization in the midst of growing pains that would rival my 15-year-old son’s. Mistakes? We made ‘em.
We stirred one helluva storm, a n’oreaster in fact, with an advertising policy that we thought protected the integrity of The AFA. Boy were we wrong.
I believed our bright and bold disclaimers at the top and the bottom of every ad that went out under The AFA banner were enough to make it clear we didn’t endorse anything, that we were just the conduit. It’s what we’ve always done to help raise sorely needed revenue that enabled us to keep membership free and the organization alive. We’ve never been called out on it before. But in the last few weeks we’ve gotten an earful. So...once again...if an advertisement comes through your email from The AFA...or you read an advertisement in our resource directory...or click a link on our web site....these are advertisements...they are not endorsements.
The AFA does not endorse any programs, products, procedures or services. If you are unsure of something..please speak with your doctor...and find out what they think!
I want to assure you that we’re fast learners. On this Friday, our executive committee of the Board of Directors is meeting to review our policy and responsibilities around advertising that bears our name.
For many of you...I am sure that you do not have a clue about what I am talking about...and for the others who were feeling upset or confused over advertising that you may recently received...I’m so sorry that our actions have caused such distress.
I do want to say, however, that over the years as I’ve talked about and on behalf of all the constituents of the infertility community (patients and doctors alike). I believed we had the unconditional support of the allied professionals and the industry. Instead, I find, there’s been a flourishing misconception that our patient advocacy organizations are perceived as a marketing tool.
In fact, the AFA never was and never will be that. We were founded by patients. I was a patient. Most of my staff have been patients. We live and breathe this organization...and we serve from our hearts.
So let me be clear...we are only about serving the expanding population of people increasingly concerned with fertility and reproductive health.
Perhaps The AFA was naive in believing that the financial support coming our way had no quid pro quo, no financial benchmarks such as “return on investment.” Yet in the last two years, that’s all we hear about. We rarely hear about the welfare of the people we serve. And so, as the ROI becomes harder to calculate as the double-digit growth in the number of people seeking treatment not only levels but may in fact be shrinking, the funds for patient support are drying up.
Can you imagine anyone supporting the American Cancer Society demanding a return on investment? I can’t. And I’m learning I should never have those discussions when it comes to the best care for our members either.
Our challenge is to find ways to replace the revenue that has gone but on which we depend. We’ve got some leverage in the wonderful programs and projects we’ve created. We’ve got new ones that will come on line in the year ahead. But, we need to do more.
As difficult as these last few weeks have been, we’ve forged ahead. The good news is that we’re planning a 10-city tour that we’re naming “The Patient Summit.” And I will be talking more about that program in the weeks to come.
I will be going to major cities all across this country...and I am going to be asking YOU what you want...what you need...and I am talking about all of you!
It means I won’t be home very much this year. Instead I might be at your local Y or women’s health center. This is the year I’m sitting face to face with infertility patients, REI nurses, REI physicians, OB-GYNS and listening. With what we learn, The AFA will publish a white paper to truly educate stakeholders on what patients need now.
I wish to extend my heart felt appreciation for the support all of you in our community have shown us. Many of you have made donations...written for us...and offered to volunteer.
I am grateful to all of you from the bottom of my heart.
Until Tomorrow,
Pamela
Categories
Adoption •
Fertility Preservation •
Reproductive Health
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