Generations of Hope helps Albertans create families with over $1 million in grants with Images of Hope Gala

CALGARY, Feb. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - On May 5, 2018, Calgary charity Generations of Hope (GOH) is holding its annual Images of Hope Gala to raise money for Albertans who couldn't otherwise afford the necessary medical treatments needed to build families of their own.

Since 2005, the GOH Fertility Assistance Fund has given over $1 million in grants helping Albertans create their families. To date, 213 Alberta babies have been born to 155 families faced with infertility thanks to the GOH fund. The fund has also helped 14 female cancer patients and 15 male cancer patients. So far in 2018, there are 11 more babies expected to 11 families!

"One in six Alberta couples will face infertility," explains Hejdi Carlsen-Feick, GOH President. "While we're fortunate to have a state-of-the-art fertility program in Calgary with the Regional Fertility Program, many Albertans are unable to access treatment due to financial barriers. One cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost between $10,000 - $15,000 including drugs. The Images of Hope Gala raises money to help make dreams of becoming a parent a reality."

This year's Images of Hope gala will be held will be held in the brand new, gorgeous Hudson Event Space in the heart of downtown Calgary. An elegant sit-down dinner will be catered by the popular local restaurant The Guild. The evening will feature a live and silent auction all to raise funds for Generations of Hope, which will include a luxurious getaway to Fernie, a Mother's Day Weekend Retreat, and many more items!

Generations of Hope was created by a group of committed past patients and medical staff of the Regional Fertility Program. All funds raised at the gala go toward GOH's goal of putting the hope for a child within reach for as many Albertans as possible. In addition to raising money to help Albertans pay for fertility treatments, GOH continues to advocate for public funding of IVF tied to single embryo transfer, thereby reducing the health risks and expensive medical care that comes with the high rate of multiple births born through IVF.

"This event is more than a fundraiser, it's also a celebration," says Carlsen-Feick. "The gala features beautiful photographic stories of personal journeys through infertility, treatment and ultimately – success."

For more information or to donate to Generations of Hope: [email protected]. Tickets are on sale now and are $150 per person or $950 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, please visit this site.

Infertility Facts

• Infertility affects men and women equally. Forty percent of infertility is attributed to the female partner, 40 percent to the male partner and 20 percent of infertility is unexplained.
  
  
• Infertility is a recognized medical condition.
  
  
• Success rates can be as high as 70 percent when fresh or frozen embryos are used (cumulative pregnancy rate).

About Generations of Hope

Generations of Hope was created by a group of committed past patients and members of the Regional Fertility Clinic. In addition to raising funds to support Albertans during their fertility treatments, GOH continues to advocate for public funding of IVF tied to single embryo transfer in an effort to reduce the rate of multiple births born through IVF. For more information visit our website, here.  

SOURCE Generations of Hope

Melanie Ducharme, Generations of Hope Board Member, 403.680.6356, [email protected]