Victoria Families Rally in Support of One in Six Couples Suffering from Infertility
Proceeds from the BBQ and silent auction will benefit Fertile Future, a non-profit organization that provides fertility treatments to cancer patients who are rendered infertile due to treatments
VICTORIA, May 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Infertility Awareness Week (May 19 - May 26) will finish with a groundswell of support this Sunday when hundreds of families gather at Gordon Head Middle School in Victoria in support of the one in six British Columbian couples who are not able to have a child of their own due to infertility.
In its sixth year, "Conceive the Dream" aims to raise awareness of infertility, a World Health Organization recognized medical condition whose treatment is out of reach for most British Columbians. While many countries around the world provide treatment, Canada remains behind, with the exception of Quebec.
"Cost and access barriers make it difficult for many families suffering from infertility in B.C.," says Dr. Stephen Hudson, Medical Director of the Victoria Fertility Centre. "In vitro fertilization is the clinical best practice for treating infertility. However, because IVF treatments, which range from $5,500-$8,000 plus medication, are not publically covered in British Columbia, many couples choose to transfer more than one embryo per treatment cycle to increase their chances of getting pregnant."
In vitro fertilization is often the most effective and only treatment option available to couples who suffer from infertility. Transferring one embryo per treatment cycle is considered a clinical best practice in IVF because it ensures only one healthy baby is delivered per pregnancy cycle. By reducing the likelihood of a multiple birth, single embryo transfer protects the health of mother and baby and according to a recent economic report, has the potential to save the province millions of dollars.
In Quebec, multiple pregnancies through IVF have been reduced from approximately 30 per cent to well under 10 per cent, resulting in an estimated cost savings to the health system of $30-$60 million per year since the program's inception, according to statements by former Quebec Minister of Health & Social Services Yves Bolduc.
Outside of Quebec, the rest of Canada, including British Columbia, has among the highest multiple birth rates at approximately 28 per cent.
"British Columbians live in a province that says it puts families first," reinforced Clementine Crooks (her married name) Board of Directors member for Fertile Futures and Accreditation Coordinator at the Victoria Fertility Centre. "Publicly funding IVF would support that principle by giving families suffering with infertility the opportunity to build their families safely. British Columbians understand that, and what's more, they see it as smart policy that is working elsewhere in Canada."
"I was 26 when I started having trouble with my fertility, and found out that in vitro fertilization was my best option for conception. It has been a huge challenge to afford treatment along the way," says Lisa Sevigny, former patient of the Victoria Fertility Centre. "After multiple IVF cycles, I finally conceived twins, one of which I lost at 15 weeks. I am lucky to have a beautiful baby boy as a result of in vitro fertilization."
LINKS
Victoria Fertility Centre: http://www.victoriafertility.com/
Infertility Awareness Victoria: https://www.facebook.com/InfertilityAwarenessVictoria
Fertile Future: http://fertilefuture.ca/
SOURCE: Victoria Fertility Centre
For more information on "Conceive the Dream", or to speak with Dr. Stephen Hudson, Clementine Crooks or Lisa Sevigny, please contact:
Jeremy Twigg
Fleishman Hillard
[email protected]
604-306-4036
Or
Clementine Crooks
250.886.6267
[email protected]
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