Welcome to your June issue of Connections, The American Fertility Association’s monthly e-newsletter. In this issue, you’ll find:

1. Message from the Executive Director
2. Advocacy Alert
3. Illuminations
4. Fertility Dream
5. The Adoption Option: Considering Adoption? Support is just around the corner!
6. Support Services
   1. Ovum Donation Seminar Series
   2. New York City In-Person Women's Support Group Now Forming
   3. West Coast Programs
7. Stay Connected

A Message from the Executive Director

Pamela Madsen

Dear Friend of The AFA, The first of June marks the beginning of World Fertility Awareness Month (WorldFAM). There are events full of diverse outreach and advocacy to raise awareness of the struggle against reproductive difficulties worldwide. Every June, we pause to bring awareness to reproductive disease, which affects millions around the world. We also pause to celebrate the more than one million babies who have been born through IVF since 1981. WorldFAM brings the world together to focus on the international, national and local aspects of families, health and the future. WorldFAM provides a forum to discuss issues critical to our international community: de-stigmatizing infertility, encouraging patients to seek fertility treatments earlier, increasing fertility knowledge and much more. This year’s WorldFAM theme is “Learning Transcends Language: A Global Education Movement.” Through the hard work and dedication of many patient leaders, the first ever global fertility survey reached college-educated Scandinavian women, Turkish women with Internet access, Ugandans living in the countryside, and many others. People everywhere were savvy about the mechanics of reproduction – which parts goes where – but the majority only understood bits and pieces of the full story of conception and reproduction. The full details and findings of the global fertility study will be unveiled at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) conference. As we move forward collectively, our common goal is to use these eye-opening survey results as a meaningful tool, which fertility advocates can use to help educate fertility patients and potential patients around the world. Film star, Jo Champa, is serving as Chairwoman of World Fertility Awareness Month this year. Jo, a new member of The American Fertility Association’s Board of Directors, is committed to shedding light on fertility and adoption issues and is one of Italy’s prime fertility advocates. She serves as WorldFAM Chairwoman because she cares deeply about family issues, and has never shied away from tackling a difficult issue like fertility. WorldFAM is a call to action, a tool to connect with other patient advocacy organizations across the world. Our combined strength and participation will help bring clarity, honesty and heightened sensitivity to the rights of people everywhere to protect their fertility and family building dreams. I hope you will join our global efforts as we bring World Fertility Awareness Month to new heights this year. Sincerely, Pamela Madsen Executive Director

Melissa B. Brisman, Esq.

In this case, the biological father entered into a contract with a gestational carrier where the gestational carrier agreed to carry the children created from the intended father’s sperm and an egg donor for a fee of $20,000. The gestational carrier unilaterally decided, upon the birth of the triplets, that the intended father and his fiance were unfit to raise the children. With the help of some hospital personnel, the triplets were released from the hospital, unbeknownst to the intended parents, in the care and custody of the gestational carrier. Some hospital staff went as far as to deliberately mislead the intended parents in order to aid the gestational carrier in her plans to take the triplets home. When the biological father filed an action in the lower court for custody of the children, the Judge denied the biological father’s petition and legal custody was awarded to the gestational carrier. The Judge of the lower court went even further and decided, sua sponte (i.e without being asked) the invalidity of the gestational carrier contract. The biological father successfully appealed the ruling of the lower court and sole custody and parental rights of the triplets were given to the children’s biological father. The Appellate Court’s decision stated that the gestational carrier, who was not genetically related to the children she carried and delivered, had no legal standing to try to obtain custody of the triplets in the first place and that "the manner in which [she] obtained custody of the children was fraught with impropriety." The gestational carrier is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court. To date, the Supreme Court has yet to decide if they will hear the case.

Recently, a number of same sex couples from outside of Massachusetts petitioned the Massachusetts Supreme Court to allow them to marry in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal. The Court, relying on a Massachusetts law enacted in 1913, denied same-sex couples the right to marry in Massachusetts if the state where the couple resides specifically bans same-sex marriage. The 1913 law banned marriages in Massachusetts for non-residents who can't legally marry in their home state. At the time it was passed, the intent of the law was to prevent couples from marrying in Massachusetts where their home state banned the marriage due to age requirements and/or genetic relationship rules. The recent Supreme Court ruling relied on the 1913 law in their decision, applying it specifically to include same-sex couples. The Court did not decide whether couples from states which do not specifically ban same-sex marriage (NM, RI, CT, NJ, NY), could marry in Massachusetts. Those cases have been remanded to the trial court for further review.

After years of being unable to conceive naturally, a couple turned to assisted reproductive technology in hopes of starting their family. The couple underwent in vitro fertilization treatment and was successful. Four days after the mother-to-be announced her pregnancy through IVF treatment to her employer, a Catholic parochial school located in Wisconsin, she was terminated. The now unemployed teacher argues that all she wanted to do was have a family and that she respected the Catholic teachings by not using any donated genetic material and by not destroying any remaining embryos. The teacher is claiming pregnancy discrimination and asserts that other employees of the parochial school have used assisted reproductive technologies and such information was known to the school, yet they still retained their jobs. The teacher was informed she violated Catholic doctrine by making a distinction between procreation and sex. The school stated that, because of its status as a private religious school, it may discriminate based on the violations of their teachings. The school further explained that, because of the fact that the teacher made it publicly known that she underwent IVF treatment; the school was left with little recourse but to terminate her employment.

Up until recently, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority of Great Britain only allowed fertility clinics to conduct “preimplantation genetic diagnosis”, or PGD, screenings on embryos for the genes believed responsible for untreatable, severe or fatal childhood and adult diseases. Now, Great Britain has increased the number of abnormalities embryos may undergo PGD testing for to include diseases which may be treatable, such as different types of cancers. While some may see this as a step forward in assisted reproduction regulations, critics argue that these new rules may lead to eugenics, the proposed improvement of the human species by encouraging or permitting reproduction of only those individuals with genetic characteristics judged desirable.

The American Fertility Association recently honored Jo Champa, Andrew Vorzimer, Esq. and Cappy M. Rothman, M.D., at Illuminations a spectacular event in Los Angeles. Brenda Strong, The American Fertility Association’s National Spokesperson served as the mistress of ceremonies for the event which was held the home of Will Halm, Esq. and Marcellin Simard, M.D.. Our thanks to our co-chairs Stuart Miller and Guy Ringler, M.D., the host committee Will Halm, Esq., Bradford Kolb, M.D., Richard Paulson, M.D., Vick Sahakian, M.D., Bronte Stone, Ph.D., Mark Surrey, M.D., Joyce Vargyas, M.D and our sponsors for their continued support.

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Fertility Dream

Join the American Fertility Association at the Fertility Dream races/walks in your area.

The Fertility Dream is breaking new ground, promoting health and a sense of community within the fertility community and our supporters nationwide. Our 2006 goal is to build fertility awareness and raise research and advocacy funds. Remember, "Together we can do what we can't do alone.”

Anyone can participate in the Fertility Dream races and walks, no matter you age or fitness level: fitness enthusiast elite runners, and even those who have never participated in a race before. The AFA can help find a pace that is right for you. Click here for more information and to register.

Support the Fertility Dream 2006 races/walks near you:

Anyone raising $5,000 or more in pledges will receive an all-expense paid trip to a Fertility Dream race: round-trip airfare, two nights lodging, meals and race entry. Please visit the American Fertility Association web site for details or call 888 917-3777 to register or donate.

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The Adoption Option
Considering Adoption? Support is just around the corner!

By Carolyn Berger, LCSW

Welcome to adoption: the “new frontier”.

This ‘new frontier’ is often the last stop on the family building train-the place you go after exhausting the ever-expanding world of medical technology. The place you go when you think you are out of options.

So yes, adoption can be about loss-the loss of a dream for a biological child. But your dream of building a family is not lost. With adoption, the ‘take-home-baby’ rate is gloriously high.

Switching gears from biology to adoption often feels daunting, but just around the corner-waiting for you to utter the words, “I want to build my family through adoption”-are legions of parents (and other resources) that have been down the path before you who want to help and support you! These are the people who can sort out the everyday and grounded realities of adoption from the supermarket tabloid horror stories.

These are the people who can teach you the secret language of ‘adopt speak’ and help you figure out the difference between an ‘open’ or ‘closed’ adoption and make you realize that an “interstate compact” is not regulated by the FCC! They can recommend attorneys and agencies and help you clarify the type of adoption that will suit you. (Read the ABCs of Adoption in our November 2005 Connections to learn more).

More support is available in print. Books like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Adoption by Chris Adamec are great adoption primers. For a more emotional read, check out A Love Like No Other edited by Kruger and Smolow. There is nothing like the stories-both good and bad-from real people to bring adoption into focus. You might also consider a subscription to adoption-related publications like Adoptive Families or Adoption Today for up-to-the minute news and guidance pre and post-adoption.

And don’t forget the Web. There are literally millions of adoption-related websites-many of which have content geared specifically for ‘thinkers’ that can help sort out the intricacies of adoption. Some sites to get you started: www.adoption.com, e-magazine.adoption.com and of course, the message boards at www.theafa.org offer a treasure trove of support and information. A word of caution about the Web: stick with the sites and resources that people who have formed their families through adoption use! The Web, while a great innovation in information-gathering, can also be a wealth of misinformation!

At some point in your journey you may find that the sheer amount of information is too much for you to sort out on your own. If this happens, you may consider traditional counseling or joining an adoption support group.

You can often find support groups and workshops listed in local papers. Check in with people who have adopted and find groups they recommend. The right group, in addition to providing expert information and cost-effective access to social workers, adoption agencies and attorneys, can balance adoption planning with recapturing the pieces of your life that may have gotten ‘misplaced’ during fertility treatments. Another benefit: long-lived and mutually supportive relationships formed in groups. These friendship can be lifelines when dealing screaming two-year olds! If you chose individual or couples counseling a therapist with experience in treating people with fertility challenges and/or adoption can save time and money.

By the time you and your child are a family, you really will be an adoption expert-ready for the tap on the shoulder from the next person who utters the words “I want to build my family through adoption”. And so the chain remains unbroken.

Welcome to the new frontier!

Carolyn Berger, LCSW, is The American Fertility Association’s Adoption Coordinator and the parent of two boys, one through birth and the other through adoption. She never tires of telling about the night her adopted child was born.

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Ovum Donation Seminar Series
Spring/Summer 2006

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring a six week Ovum Donation Seminar Series beginning Wednesday May 31st and continuing weekly for six consecutive weeks. The seminar is designed to educate attendees about all aspects of ovum donation. Topics that will be discussed by our distinguished faculty will include:

JUNE 14 FINDING A DONOR PROGRAM AND A DONOR
Speaker: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist

JUNE 21 DONOR REGISTRIES AND FINDERS
Speaker: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist

JUNE 28 ANONYMOUS DONORS: MATCHING AND CYCLING
Speakers: Vicki Loveland, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator & Dan Kenigsberg, MD, Co-Director Long Island IVF

JULY 5 PANEL OF PARENTS OF OVUM DONOR CHILDREN
Speaker: Andrea Braverman, PhD, Director of Psychological & Complementary Services, RMA of New Jersey

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New York City In-Person Women's Support Group Now Forming

Facing Fertility Challenges? Come join us and discover the power of mutual support.Build your resilience and feel more centered as you learn and use invaluable Mind/Body techniques to ease stress and gain a greater sense of control over your life.

Facilitated by Izetta Siegal Stern, LCSW, Board Certified Diplomate and AFA Support Group Leader. Space is Limited. If you are interested contact Izetta a.s.a.p. at 212-691-1266 or e-mail her at ISiegalStern@aol.com with your contact information

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West Coast Programs

Four Seminars Offered

• EGG DONATION: WORKING WITH A THIRD PARTY
• CHOOSING SINGLE PARENTING
• CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SURROGATE ARRANGEMENT
• GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTING

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring separate discussion groups for patients considering alternative family building options. The emotional, medical and practical aspects of each of these arrangements will be explored, such that prospective parents can make an informed decision about whether these plans are the “right” choice for them.

Elaine R. Gordon, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in reproductive medicine. She has worked in the field for twenty years helping individuals and couples build families through non-traditional options. She is the author of “Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy? Where some Babies Come From”.

Ellen Speyer, M.A., M.S., MFT. is a psychotherapist with twenty years with working with assisted reproduction, pregnancy loss, surrogacy, and adoption. She is a retired Chair of the Education Committee for the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

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Online Education Session Schedule—June–August 2006