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The American Fertility Association’s Monthly Newsletter

May 30, 2008

OVUM DONATION SEMINAR
SPRING SERIES 2008

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring a six week Ovum Donation Seminar Series beginning Wednesday May 14th and continuing weekly for six consecutive weeks. Topics that will be discussed by our distinguished faculty will include:

May 14	PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES: IS THIS OPTION RIGHT FOR YOU? SPEAKER: Laura Josephs, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Donor Oocyte Program, Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility
May 21	THE MEDICAL OVERVIEW SPEAKER: Tanmoy Mukherjee, MD, Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York
May 28	FINDING A DONOR PROGRAM AND A DONOR SPEAKER: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist
June 4	DONOR REGISTRIES AND FINDERS SPEAKER: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist
June 11	ANONYMOUS DONORS: MATCHING AND CYCLING SPEAKER: Gad Lavy, MD, Director, New England Fertility Institute.
June 18	PANEL OF DONORS/ DONOR PARENTS SPEAKER: TBD
WHERE	902 Broadway (between 20th and 21st Streets) 13th Floor
WHEN	Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
COST	Series is $200 and individual sessions are $50 (per household) (Must be an AFA Member)
CONTACT	Patricia Mendell at (718) 230-9383 to register - space limited

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FREE GROUP TELEPHONE COACHING SESSIONS

Phone-based coaching groups provide a convenient way for you to take part in a supportive and educational group experience from the comfort of your home or work place. These groups meet for one hour via a phone bridgeline. A bridgeline allows all participants to hear and speak with each other via the telephone. No special phone is required. All groups are led by licensed mental health professionals with an expertise, and often personal experience, in infertility treatment and/or adoption.

TOPIC: After Your Loss: Healing and Getting Back on Track

Your IVF was not successful, the IUI didn’t work, A Miscarriage, Another Miscarriage, a Necessary Termination…

This telecoaching session is an opportunity to share your loss with others who are also hurting from similar circumstances. You’ll receive feedback, support, suggestions, and most importantly, tools and strategies to assist you in decision-making and resuming control in your life after a pregnancy loss.

WHEN:	Wednesday, June 11, 2008
TIME:	9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, EST
FACILITATED BY:	Emily Laitmon LCSW

For further information, please contact:
Emily Laitmon, LCSW 212 988-2054 or 914 633-4224
Email: laitmon@aol.com

Emily Laitmon, LCSW, is a coach and psychotherapist with individuals, couples and families in areas of Infertility, Loss, Relationships and Women’s Issues. She has offices in NYC and Westchester, and is an insurance provider. She is associated with AFA as a workshop leader, coach and facilitator for support groups.

TOPIC: Parenting Donor Gamete Children (donor sperm, donor egg, donor embryo). The Disclosure Issue: If, What, When, and How

This coaching group is accessible to you via your telephone.
It is appropriate for couples and individuals who:

Are considering the use of donor sperm, egg, or embryo to create their children
Are already parenting children created by donor sperm, egg, or embryo

During this one hour group conference call, you will have the opportunity to receive information on:

The pros and cons of disclosure to children of their genetic origin
What and when to share this information with children if you so choose
How or if to share this information with family or friends
Questions you may have if you have already begun to share this information

You will also have the opportunity to share information and support one another in making the decision about disclosure and implementing this aspect of parenting.

WHEN:	Tuesday, July 8, 2008
TIME:	9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern time
FACILITATED BY:	Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. and Patricia Mendell, L.C.S.W.

NO FEE for AFA MEMBERS!

For further information and to register, contact:
Joann Galst (jgalst@aol.com or 212-759-2783)
or Patricia Mendell (pmendell@aol.com or 212-819-1778)

Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in New York City specializing in mind-body medicine and reproductive health issues, including infertility, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy and parenting after infertility. She is a past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and is currently the Co-director of Support Services for the American Fertility Association. She is the author of numerous articles on infertility and is a nationally recognized expert on the psychological aspects of reproductive health. In her work with individuals, couples, and groups, she believes that good family building decision making starts with well-substantiated facts and clarification of feelings.

Patricia Mendell, L.C.S.W., B.C.D. is a clinical social worker in private practice in Manhattan and Brooklyn. She is Co-chair of the American Fertility Association (AFA) and the facilitator of the AFA Ovum Donor Seminar Series. She is co-author of the fact sheet for AFA on “Talking to Children about Ovum Donation.” Ms. Mendell has written and spoken extensively on numerous topics regarding fertility, third party reproduction, parenting after infertility, disclosure, multi-fetal reduction, pregnancy loss, and adoption. As an infertility and pregnancy loss survivor, she is well aware of the impact decision making choices have on people’s lives. In her role as therapist and consumer advocate, she gives those seeking her help both practical and therapeutic advice on how to better cope with stress, resolve marital tensions, and select and explore solutions to their family building dilemmas.

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NEW YORK CITY WOMEN'S OVER FORTY IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUP FORMING NOW

Do you feel alone? Are you stuck in feeling anxious or depressed? Does the majority of your life focus on starting a family? Are you confused or unsure about what your next step will be? This Support Group will help you with these issues and move you toward resolution of your fertility struggle.

Facilitated by Joan Winograd, LCSW, American Fertility Association Support Group Leader.

Space is Limited. You may contact Joan at (212)362-4003 or e-mail at Joanwino@aol.com.

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NEW YORK CITY WOMEN’S MIND/BODY IN- PERSON FERTILITY SUPPORT GROUPS

We offer two groups to meet varied needs of our members.

Group I: For those who are planning, or have completed at least one IVF cycle.

Group II: For women who are in the early stages of fertility treatment, or who are in the process of evaluation.

Connect with other women who are going through a similar journey.
Experience Mind/Body techniques that increase resilience, optimism and a sense of wellness.
Discover the power and benefits of mutual support.

Groups meet at 85 Fifth Ave. (near Union Square)

Facilitated by Izetta Siegal Stern, LCSW, BCD, AFA Support Group Leader. Call Izetta at 212-691-1266 or e-mail ISiegalStern@aol.com

Groups are low-cost, and can be considered a medical deduction. You may be able to receive some insurance reimbursement.

Izetta Siegal Stern has counseled women and couples facing fertility challenges since l986. She has been a support group facilitator in the reproductive field for many years. As a speaker at national fertility conferences, she has presented on topics, including a Mind/Body approach to supporting fertility, resolving partner differences in family building and dealing with pregnancy loss.

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WEST COAST PROGRAMS

Four Seminars Offered

EGG DONATION: WORKING WITH A THIRD PARTY
CHOOSING SINGLE PARENTING
CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SURROGATE ARRANGEMENT
GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTING

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring separate discussion groups for patients considering alternative family building options. The emotional, medical and practical aspects of each of these arrangements will be explored, so that prospective parents can make an informed decision about whether these plans are the “right” choice for them.

Elaine R. Gordon	Elaine R. Gordon, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in reproductive medicine. She has worked in the field for twenty years, helping individuals and couples build families through non-traditional options. She is the author of “Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy? Where Some Babies Come From”.
	Ellen Speyer, M.A., M.S., MFT. is a psychotherapist with twenty years experience working with assisted reproduction, pregnancy loss, surrogacy, and adoption. She is a retired Chair of the Education Committee for the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Location: Groups will be offered both in Orange County and Los Angeles
Dates: Call for meeting dates	Phone: (310) 454-0502 or (949) 252-1525
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m	Fee: $30 individual; $40 per couple
*Group Size Limited, Reservations Required*

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The American Fertility Association, 305 Madison Avenue Suite 449, New York NY 10165.
Support Line: 888-917-3777. Fax: 718-601-7722. www.theafa.org