On Mother’s Day, Sunday May 10, 2009, two hundred infertility patients, along with their families, friends and supporters, marched from Nathan Phillips Square to Queen’s Park. The goal of the Pram Push for IVF Funding was to raise awareness for the issue of IVF and infertility funding as a lead-in event to National Infertility Awareness Week.
Leading the way were men and women pushing empty strollers to symbolize the children missing from the lives of Ontario’s infertility patients. Pram Push participants carried signs proclaiming “Ontario’s Infertile Families – Push for IVF Funding”. It was truly a moving experience to see so many wonderful families uniting together in the hope of making their dreams of parenthood a reality.
At Queen’s Park, three wonderful guest speakers addressed the participants. Jan Silverman told participants that the Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption has heard the voices of Ontario infertility patients. She asked us to band together to make sure that the recommendations of the panel do not fall upon deaf ears in the government. Jocelyn Smith, the president of the Infertility Awareness Association, asked participants to take the time to tell their personal stories on the IAAC website. Finally, there were very few dry eyes while April Hoyt described her family’s own long battle with infertility and reminded us that motherhood should not come with a price tag.
We are pleased that several media outlets carried stories about the Pram Push. Others have contacted Conceivable Dreams about this story. Our goal of raising public awareness for this important cause was truly achieved.
To Everyone who walked with us, chanted with us, cheered with us and cried with us on Mother’s Day... Thank You.
Joanne, Kerri and Ashley
December 2nd, 2009, Noon Working together we have filled the inboxes of Ontario's elected officials with the unified voices of Ontario's infertile families, friends and supporters. Hopefully, your actions today will bring us all a step closer to fair funding for infertility treatment. Thank-you all for taking the time to participate. After the Ontario Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption saw the faces of infertility at our Pram Push and heard your voices, they recommended that OHIP fund 3 cycles of IVF in their August 2009 Report. Here's the full report http://www.ontario.ca/creatingfamilies Despite 2 years of researching the issues and 3 months to review the Report, the Ontario Government has taken NO ACTION. Now, we need the Ontario Government to hear from YOU (and your families, friends and supporters) so that they will TAKE ACTION and implement the recommendations instead of letting them collect dust on a shelf. That is why Conceivable Dreams is planning a very special delivery for the Ontario Government on December 2nd, 2009 at Noon. Please join us for a Virtual Rally for IVF Funding. Imagine thousands of Ontario infertility patients, and their friends, families and supporters simultaneously sending an email message of support for IVF Funding to their provincial members of parliament and Premier Dalton McGuinty. It is time for our provincial politicians to understand that infertility is a serious medical condition with devastating physical, emotional and financial consequences for its sufferers. Here's How it Will Work STEP ONE: Enter your postal code Conceivable Dreams will send you a draft email including the address for your MPP, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister Broten. You can save the email in your draft folder until December 2nd. Please send your emails at noon. If you can't do it at noon, please send your e-mail anytime afterwards. If, along the way, you have any problems please don't hesitate to contact us at info@conceivabledreams.org
STEP TWO: Confirm the name of your MPP or select your riding
STEP THREE: Enter your name and email address
