Images of Hope Gala on March 4, 2017, raising money to help Albertans pay for fertility treatments

CALGARY, Jan. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - On March 4, 2017, Calgary charity Generations of Hope (GOH) is holding its annual Images of Hope Gala at the Telus Spark to raise money for Alberta couples who couldn't otherwise afford the necessary medical treatments they need to build their families.

Since 2005, the GOH Fertility Assistance Fund has given over $1 million in grants helping over 100 Albertans create their families. To date, 180 Alberta babies have been born to 128 families faced with infertility thanks to the GOH.

"One in six Alberta couples will face infertility," explains Hejdi Feick, GOH President. "My husband and I were one of those couples – we had to do multiple rounds of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments to have our two beautiful children. We were fortunate that with the help of family we were able to afford these costly treatments, but we know that is not the case for everyone. GOH helps couples facing infertility to make their dream of a family a reality."

Created by a group of committed past patients and members of the Regional Fertility Clinic, the fund helps those Albertans who need financial assistance to access the medical treatment they need to have a family. 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.

This year's gala will feature a dinner catered by popular local restaurant Charbar, and will be hosted by local media personalities Eric Francis and Kelly Abbott. The evening will feature a live and silent auction, with many exciting items up for bid, including a City of Toronto and Blue Jays experience; a Golden, B.C. Purcell Mountain getaway; an ultimate family camping adventure; and much more!

"This evening is more than a fundraiser," says Feick. "It is a celebration of the hope, passion and courage that is alive and well amongst so many of us who have in the past or currently struggle with infertility in the Calgary community."

For more information or to donate to Generations of Hope: [email protected]. Tickets are on sale now and are $125 per person or $900 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, please visit this site.

Infertility Facts

• One in six Alberta couples will need some form of medical intervention to conceive.
• 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.
• One cycle of in-vitro fertilization can cost between $10,000 - $15,000 (inclusive of drugs).
• Success rates can be as high as 70 percent when fresh or frozen embryos are used (cumulative pregnancy rate).

SOURCE Generations of Hope

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