Category: Patient Stories
RESOLVE New England is actively involved in advocating for insurance legislation in New Hampshire, in partnership with patients, advocates, and providers. The bill, SB 279, would provide group insurance coverage for the diagnosis of infertility, fertility treatment and fertility preservation in New Hampshire.
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Kristin Smith, the Oncofertility Consortium’s esteemed patient navigator, was recently featured on the final episode of the This Is Infertility podcast to discuss her role as a patient navigator.
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OPEN Member Val Peddie, from the Royal College of Nursing in Aberdeen was recently highlighted in Royal College of Nursing electronic magazine bulletin (see pages 10-11) to discuss fertility preservation and patient experience in Aberdeen. The article highlights Val and all of the work she…
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On August 27, 2018, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner will sign in to law HB2617, which will ensure insurance coverage for oncofertility and fertility preservation patients. Illinois will join four other states that have passed similar legislation. This is a huge milestone for the field and on…
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Dr. Mahmoud Salama, an active member of the Oncofertility Consortium and OPEN, recently represented the Consortium during a podcast interview where he discussed fertility preservation options for cancer patients. The interview appeared on the Simplify Cancer Podcast, a podcast for cancer patients and survivors that…
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January's VGR Fertility preservation decision-making: Qualitative approaches to understanding patient and provider communication is now available online. Dr. John Salsman delivered the talk. Click here to watch this talk in its entirety. Dr. Salsman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy at…
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Below is an exiciting announcement from our partners at the Alliance for Fertility Preservation. New York has become the latest state to endorse insurance coverage for IVF and fertility preservation. Current New York law requires coverage of infertility services, but specifically excludes coverage of IVF and fertility…
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The Oncofertility Consortium was mentioned recently in a feature in Greenwich Magazine, an online magazine from Connecticut. Connecticut was the first state to pass landmark oncofertility legislation, which opens access to fertility treatment for cancer patients. The law is named for Melissa Thompson, a patient advocate…
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July's VGR presentation is now available online. Joyce Reinecke, JD, Executive Director of the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, presented on advocating for insurance coverage and discussed the recent efforts in many states to mandate coverage for fertility preservation procedures. Connecticut and Rhode Island became the first and…
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Last month, author Chloé McFeters released six coloring book journals for adults, including C is for Courage, a coloring book journal for those living with cancer. The book’s journal prompts invite the reader to write about the practical and emotional aspects of the journey with…
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The May VGR, delivered by Dr. Angela Lawson, is now available online. Dr. Lawson's talk Balancing Hope and Loss: Psychological Aspects of Gamete Cryopreservation in Cancer Patients explored the psychological aspects of infertility and oncofertility and she discussed her approach to counseling these patients. There were a number of engaging questions…
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Megan Silianoff, survivor and author of the book "99 Problems but a Baby Ain't One", delivered an inspiring VGR about her experiences with cancer and adoption. During her presentation, she shared her story and how she navigated the adoption process after her cancer diagnosis. This…
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Dr. Gwendolgyn Quinn, PhD, Moffit Cancer Center, gave an oustanding talk at the 2015 Oncofertility Consortium Conference. Her talk: Do Ask and Do Tell: The Importance of LGBTQ Status in Reproductive Health visited the contemporary topic of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) research in…
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Northwestern Medicine and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center are hosting a special AYA-edition of Cancer Connections on Saturday, April 2nd from 9:00am – 12:30pm at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This program is designed for young adults diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39 but…
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Thank you to Matthew Zachary, Founder and CEO of Stupid Cancer, and to the patients and families who shared their journeys with us today. Stupid Cancer is a non-profit organization that utilizes evidence-based programs and services to optimize awareness, outreach and support in young adult cancer survivors. We…
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After hearing about issues with sexual function in female young adult cancer survivors, Dr. Meacham shared with us the special issues in young adult male cancer survivors. She discussed how sexual function includes both physical and emotional components and has a key role in determining quality…
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Dr. Woodard, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at MD Anderson and Baylor discussed special issues in sexual functioning among female young adult cancer survivors. She reviewed how surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapies can have long-term and late effects such as fistulas, sensory changes or nerve damage. Dr. Woodard paid special attention…
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We are delighted to provide our support to the newly developed Pediatric Oncofertility Research Foundation (PORF). PORF supports research in the field of fertility preservation for children treated for cancer. The primary goal of the foundation is to allow the choice of future fertility to…
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The Chicago Tribune recently published an article, Kids with Cancer get Futuristic Chance at Saving Fertility, describing the role of ovarian and testicular freezing in saving future fertility for pediatric cancer patients. The article highlighted patient and parent stories from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in…
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The Oncofertility Consortium was highlighted in the Spring 2015 issue of Northwestern Medicine Magazine in the article “Moving Beyond Cancer“. In this issue, Holly and Richard Manprisio, and their journey to build a family, are highlighted. Holly conquered stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma when she was just 13 and was…
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Our friends at True North Treks are looking for survivors who are interested in participating in two exciting adventures this coming fall to “recalibrate, rejuvenate and reconnect with life”! True North Treks is dedicated to supporting young adult cancer survivors by connecting with nature, other…
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This Sunday, June 7th, is National Cancer Survivors Day. It is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community. We hope that everyone who has been touched by…
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A recent feature in Cure magazine discusses adoption as another option for cancer survivors who want to build a family. Each patient is unique. The impact of a given treatment on fertility can vary and so can the time available before starting life saving treatments.…
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UPDATE: NEW VENUE INFORMATION BELOW! The Oncofertility Consortium is pleased to spread the word about an upcoming Stupid Cancer Meet-up with founder and CEO (and a wonderful friend of the Oncofertility Consortium), Matthew Zachary. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 25th – read more below! Wednesday…
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By: Lauren Ataman-Millhouse -
By: Brigid Martz Smith -
By: Leah Bressler -