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Improvements made in fertility preservation and funding

imageIn December 2010, the Fertile Future announced a financial assistance program for male and female cancer patients who want to freeze their eggs or sperm before undergoing treatment.
The Power of Hope Cost Reduction Program will offer assistance to qualifying patients on three different grant levels which will result in a substantial financial relief for the individual.
They say, “Female cancer patients who qualified for the Power of Hope program receive compassionate pharmaceutical products, substantially reduced clinic fees of at least 33 per cent for egg and embryo retrieval and cryo-preservation, and cost re-imbursement of up to $1000.00. Male cancer patients who qualify for the program will be entitled to sperm cryo-preservation services at no cost to them. Participating fertility centres across the country can then be reimbursed by Fertile Future for up to $350.00 for administering and facilitating this service for young men.”
Participating Fertility Centres include:

Fertility preservation is often not introduced to young adult cancer patients until it’s too late. It’s important to know your options before your chemotherapy or radiation starts, whether you think you’re going to want to have children or not. It’s better to store your eggs or sperm just in case than regret not doing it.

Both proceedures have seen great success rates in the last five years and thousands of baby boys and girls have been born using this technology.
Endocrine Abstracts says, “Semen cryopreservation is a viable fertility preservation option for adolescent cancer patients, and should be offered to all before treatment, acknowledging the caveat of a ~50% chance of success. Pubertal staging is the only significant prognosticator of this and should be routinely assessed as part of the counselling process.”
While the ethics surrounding fertility preservation in younger cancer patients are being debated, research is ongoing to take fertility tissue from patients where eggs and sperm are not necessarily matured or viable.
Speak to your health professional about fertility preservation options they may be aware of. The two of you will be able to decide if the process is right for you and decide on your next steps.
If you’re wary of fertility options, remember, Geoff has managed to father two beautiful girls and has a little boy on the way. Your chances may often be slim, but you never know what’s in the cards.
Please contact Liz Ellwood at [email protected] or (613) 440-3302 for more information on the Fertile Future project.
Source:
Post Bulletin
Endocrine Abstracts
Photo source:
Life123

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