For couples trying to get pregnant, infertility struggles can be incredibly taxing – emotionally, physically and financially.
Chosen Infertility Group, a Michigan nonprofit devoted to providing support to those trying to conceive, is hoping to relieve some of that stress for one Michigan couple.
The group is now offering a grant for infertility treatments for the second year in a row. It provides an opportunity to pursue pregnancy for couples who might find the cost prohibitive.
“It’s definitely needed to have a nonprofit like this,” says Lauren Clements, the founder and president of Chosen Infertility Group. “I think for a lot of people this is the one shot and otherwise would have been the end of the road – now, at least there’s some hope going forward.”
Couples interested in the grant should know that it’s open to everyone, from single mothers to same-sex partners. Interested parents-to-be need to fill out a few online applications and submit a video interview. The deadline for the application is October 1.
If selected, a couple is eligible to receive financial help to cover a round of IVF and the medications that accompany the process, a process that typically ranges from $15,000-$20,000.
“There are so many different stories and circumstances in the applications that come through,” she says. “We see it all, and it’s heart wrenching. We want to help everybody.”
Chosen Infertility is more than a grant provider. The organization exists to help families in multiple ways, with support talk sessions led by therapists, guest speakers and more.
“People think of infertility as just struggling to get pregnant, but it can mean a variety of things,” she says. “It’s definitely a whole world that isn’t talked about enough.”
“Chosen is here to help anyone who wants to become a parent become a parent,” she adds.
The overall goal is to expand to help even more couples on their fertility journeys. The more support the organization receives, the more funding that can be distributed as grants to help families.
Clements says that donating money is great, but donations from businesses in the form of goods and services has been incredibly helpful.
“You don’t have to donate to support Chosen; you could share it on social media, because someone you know might own a business and want to help,” she says.
In the past, businesses like flower shops and butchers have donated their services to Chosen’s gala event. Currently, the Detroit Cookie Co. — which has locations in Ferndale, St. Claire Shores, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids — is offering a special SuperMom Cheesecake cookie with a portion of the proceeds supporting Chosen.
People can also volunteer to help put on the organization’s fundraising events.
Supporters are responsible for raising enough money for last year’s grant. The grant recipients experienced a successful pregnancy and are the proud parents of a beautiful child.
“They’re over the moon about expecting and being new parents,” she says.
Helping couples trying to get pregnant is a mission close to Clement for personal reasons: she started Chosen Infertility after her own infertility challenges.
“My husband and I struggled for three years and I was diagnosed with having blocked fallopian tubes,” she says. “All of the doctors I had consultations with told to get them removed. It was extremely overwhelming and devastating, the thought of being forever dependent on IVF.”
After a second round of IVF, the couple had twins. The girls are almost 4 years old now.
“Family is one of the most fundamental things in our life,” she says. “We want to make an impact in whichever way we can.”
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