In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday upon us tomorrow, I asked people at the Oncofertility Consortium to tell me why they are thankful for fertility preservation. I received some very thoughtful and meaningful responses:
I am thankful for fertility preservation because it demonstrates a change in cancer care from a strict focus on curing disease to recognition of life after cancer and a respect for a patient’s future plans and family wishes.
I’m thankful that I get the opportunity to meet so many amazing and inspiring people in my job everyday. I’m also thankful that I get to offer a glimmer of hope to patients who are going through the toughest battle of their lives.
Ironically, I’m a scientist working in oncofertility who developed benign ovarian cysts. It was reassuring to already be familiar with the options available to me after surgery. I even saw the Oncofertility Consortium’s pamphlet in my doctor’s office…it was nice to know that we’re getting the word out to other women in my situation.
Oncofertility allows researchers to affect patients today, ensures that current cancer patients may one day have biological children, and gives hope to survivors who lost their fertility that current cancer patients are being informed of their options.
I am thankful for fertility preservation because it allows me to apply my basic science training to a much needed clinical area. It is such a good feeling to know that we are working to translate our work at the bench to help those in need restore their reproductive function and have a chance to have a biological family.
As for myself, I am thankful for fertility preservation because of the community it creates among scientists, health care professionals, cancer advocacy and support groups, and cancer patients and survivors. The work of the Oncofertility Consortium spans geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural boundaries to respond to an urgent need in cancer care so as to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. I am grateful for everything that I have learned through the Oncofertility Consortium and for all of the hard-working and hopeful individuals who are on our team. Thank you for reading our blog and sharing this information with those around you! Please feel free to leave a comment below to tell us why you are thankful for fertility preservation and how the Oncofertility Consortium has affected your life this past year.
Have a healthy, safe, and happy Thanksgiving!!!