Wednesday, April 8, 2020 (MONCTON, N.B.) – As Canadians across the country face the uncertainty of COVID19, struggling with infertility have the added anxiety of having to delay the treatments they need to fulfil their dream of a family.
Fertility Matters Canada (FMC), a registered Canadian charity, is helping alleviate their feelings of isolation with online resources and interactive counselling sessions during the 13th annual Canadian Infertility Awareness Week (CIAW) taking place, April 19-25, 2020. With a theme of “We See You,” this year’s CIAW will seek to build virtual bridges among Canadians with fertility issues, health care providers and wellness experts to replace the in-person support networks they are missing.
“We know that this year, more than ever, Canadians who are struggling to conceive face even more obstacles as their treatments are placed on hold while the medical system deals with the challenges of COVID19,” said Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director of FMC. “On top of having to wait longer to start or grow their families, they may be dealing with increased financial pressures from job loss that will affect their ability to pay for costly interventions.”
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, one in six Canadian couples deal with infertility, a number that has doubled since the 1980s.1 Canadian Infertility Awareness Week is an opportunity for these Canadians to share their experiences with each other and with the wider community. Throughout the week, experts in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), therapists and patients will share their stories through the Fertility Matters Canada online streams. These will join the already-powerful #1in6 stories that are published on the website (fertilitymatters.ca) and social media channels.
With the generous help of their sponsors, including Ferring Canada and EMD Serono, Fertility Matters Canada has an ongoing mission to host peer-led support groups, lobby government and educate Canadians about fertility.
In the past 10 days, FMC has hosted live, virtual sessions with fertility experts and therapists to ensure patients have the most up-to-date recommendations regarding fertility treatments in Canada and what COVID19 means for their in-progress and upcoming cycles and appointments. These videos have received thousands of views and continue to be shared by our followers.
“We want Canadian patients to know they are not alone. Fertility Matters Canada is here to provide them with access to professional advice and to the support of others who have walked the same path and are willing to share messages of hope.”
“CIAW is always an important event but, this year, we recognize an even greater need to reach out to Canadians who are struggling to build their families,” said Sara Cohen, President of Fertility Matters Canada. “We want to offer the resources and reassurance they need to face their infertility journey with increased confidence, as well as to promote greater awareness and understanding among the community as whole.”
1 https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/fertility/fertility.html
Full information on events and webinars will be posted at www.fertilitymatters.ca/ciaw
Media Opportunities
Fertility Matters Canada is pleased to provide spokespeople for your local, provincial or national
stories. Interview subjects are available in regions across Canada, and our leadership, including
staff and board of directors, are also available.
To request an interview, please contact: Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director, Fertility Matters
Canada, carolynn@fertilitymatters.ca or 506-853-4401.
