Infertility affects 1 in 6 individuals, posing major obstacles to starting a family, often due to the high costs associated with treatments. Recognizing this challenge, The Conceive Foundation and The Wyatt Fertility Foundation unite to offer financial assistance through grants.
Margaret Farnsworth, Executive Director of The Wyatt Fertility Foundation, shared how they will be extending $15,000 grants to individuals and couples seeking to embark on their IVF journey.
Farnsworth emphasized to KPRC 2 the personal importance of this initiative, drawing from her own journey to parenthood through IVF. Reflecting on the emotional and financial toll, she underscores the Foundation’s commitment to empathetically supporting grant recipients throughout their unique paths. Farnsworth also shed light on why IVF can cost so much.
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“It really has everything to do with all of the different procedures, such as medical procedures. There’s the technology, there’s the physicians, there are all the people that actually babysit the embryos when they’re created. It’s really hard to find ways to cut costs and every journey for every person is unique,” Farnsworth said. “Like most couples, you don’t don’t ever dream of starting your family this way. And so it’s a little bit of a shock.”
Acknowledging the evolving landscape of fertility treatment accessibility, Farnsworth highlights the Foundation’s dedication to breaking down financial barriers and fostering inclusivity. With the application period open until June 3, prospective recipients are encouraged to visit the website, YourIVFGrant.com, for eligibility criteria and submission guidelines.
As the grant recipients are set to be announced on June 17, Farnsworth remains steadfast in the foundation’s mission to empower individuals and couples on their quest towards parenthood, ensuring that the joy of family remains within reach for all.
“I feel like firsthand, we really know the stress and all of the financial and emotional and all of those things. We really can just understand what these families are going through, being able to relate to them throughout this time period is really, really critical,” Farnsworth shared. “Being a mother is one of my greatest joys and I just really feel like being able to provide this grant for the families and giving that opportunity is a wonderful thing.”
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Despite advancements in fertility benefits and grant programs, affordability remains a pressing issue, driving the foundation’s commitment to accessibility for the past ten years.
“It’s been a decade and of course, a lot changes, and with that crisis can also change and be more expensive. There are so many more companies now offering fertility benefits, and there are more grant programs like this out there and there are more financial options now,” Farnsworth said. “So that’s really the focus is trying to be able to get it to be a little bit more affordable for families that need it and cutting down and breaking through that barrier so people can pursue this journey.”
Farnsworth shared more details on the grants and explained that the Wyatt Fertility Foundation provides financial assistance to families in need of IVF services and furthers research into infertility.
“This program is going to be based on their income. You have to have a formal infertility diagnosis from your reproductive specialist or OB Gen,” Farnsworth explained. “There are some specific criteria on the website that people can read to make sure they’re a good candidate. It’s also based on their 2023 gross income on their tax return.”
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