The contest was open to anyone who needed IVF treatment in order to conceive and required entrants to tell their story detailing why they deserved to win the treatment. Almost 100 couples submitted entries, which were reviewed by a panel of clinical and administrative staff at Sher Fertility Institute. The panel selected 10 finalists, whose stories were then posted on the company’s Facebook Page and website, where visitors could vote for their choice.

Sher Fertility Institute had originally planned to donate IVF treatment to just one couple, but decided to open the donation up to three couples instead.

“The stories that came in were heart-wrenching and inspiring,” said Sher Fertility Institute Lehigh Valley Medical Director Dr. Albert Peters. “Every one of these couples was deserving of the donated treatment, so in the end, we felt that offering it to three couples was the right thing to do.”

Joel and Mary have been struggling to have a baby for several years and have undergone several unsuccessful treatments, but weren’t able to find the financial resources for In Vitro Fertilization, which their doctor told them was their best option for conceiving. IVF treatment typically costs $10,000-$15,000.

“We are so grateful for this opportunity and will always remember this day,” said Mary. “We have been through a heartbreaking 3 years of trying to conceive, paid thousands of dollars trying to get pregnant, and now we finally feel like there is hope.”

Their story, along with those of the other finalists are posted on the Sher Fertility Institute website: www.haveababy.com/news-menu/269 . Mary has also been an active voice in the infertility community and chronicles her journey on her blog.

She recently created a video, “Mary’s Journey”: http://animoto.com/play/kYpCrQf29N4TS0SpHiF5wA .

During the last three decades, Sher Fertility Institutes and their doctors have donated hundreds of free fertility treatments to patients and couples from all over the country.

About Sher Fertility Institute:
Sher Fertility Institute is a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. SIRM Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States.

Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care.

News Source: Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The contest was open to anyone who needed IVF treatment in order to conceive and required entrants to tell their story, detailing why they felt they should win the treatment. Almost 100 couples submitted entries, which were reviewed by a panel of clinical and administrative staff at Sher Fertility Institute. The panel selected 10 finalists, whose stories were then posted on the company’s Facebook Page and website, where visitors voted for their choice.

Sher Fertility Institute had originally planned to donate IVF treatment to just one couple, but decided to open the donation up to three couples instead.

“The stories that came in were absolutely heartbreaking,” said Dr. Nicole Browne of Sher Fertility Institute. “Every one of these couples was deserving of the donated treatment, so we couldn’t be happier for Victoria and Walter.”

The couple have been struggling to have a baby for more than 5 years and have undergone numerous unsuccessful treatments, including several rounds of In Vitro Fertilization, which typically costs $10,000-$15,000. They had tapped out all of their financial resources and were unable to proceed with any further treatment. “Two weeks ago we felt all hope was lost of ever meeting the child we have dreamed of for so long,” said Victoria. “Now, thanks to Sher Fertility Institute, along with family, friends and many people we have never even met, that dream is more alive than ever. This is truly a Christmas Miracle!”

Their story, along with those of the other finalists are posted on the Sher Fertility Institute website at http://www.haveababy.com/news-menu/269 .

During the last three decades, Dr. Sher and Sher Fertility Institute have donated hundreds of free fertility treatments to patients and couples from all over the country.

About Sher Fertility Institute:
Sher Fertility Institute is a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. SIRM Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States. Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care.

News Source: Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

California IVF Fertility Center recently acquired the Sher Institutes of Reproductive Medicine Sacramento and has assumed care for the patients of that center. Additionally, California IVF Fertility Center has completed a collaborative agreement with the UC Davis Obstetrics and Gynecology department to provide all infertility treatment services formerly offered by the UC Davis Fertility Program. Additional announcements about the future plans for the consolidated program are coming soon.

Dr. Ernest Zeringue, Medical Director of California IVF Fertility Center states, “This is a big undertaking which will significantly alter the delivery of fertility treatment services in the Northern California area. We hope to leverage our reputation of outstanding patient care and new Sacramento location with the scientific resources of UC Davis.”

About California IVF Fertility Center:
California IVF Fertility Center was founded in 2004 by Dr. Ernest Zeringue. Since that time, the clinic has continued to grow by focusing on providing advanced reproductive technology in a family-like atmosphere. California IVF Fertility Center has expanded with clinics in Davis, Sacramento, and Roseville. California IVF is the local fertility clinic of choice for many infertility patients in the Greater Sacramento, Roseville, Fairfield and San Francisco Bay areas. Advanced infertility services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, and other treatments for both male and female infertility are offered at its Northern California fertility centers.

The California Conceptions Donated Embryo program (californiaconceptions.com) provides an egg donor and adoption alternative to IVF patients from around the world. The staff includes a team of 5 board certified fertility doctors and experienced embryologists who are skilled at performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS). Centrally located between the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Napa Valley and The Pacific, fertility center patients from across the US and around the world have access to many Northern California travel destinations while undergoing infertility treatment.

For more information about infertility and California IVF, please visit www.californiaivf.com .

News Source: California IVF Fertility Center :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Human egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation is a novel technique intended to preserve a woman’s eggs for later use in life. Eggs are extracted from the ovary, frozen and stored at very low temperatures in a state of suspended animation until the woman is ready to become pregnant.

While men have always had the option of freezing sperm, this has not held true for freezing eggs. Dr. Goldstein of Fertility Specialists of Texas notes, “Egg freezing can expand a woman’s option of preserving her eggs while they are young.” Often times, women are not aware of the effect of age on fertility and this technology allows one to suspend the biologic clock by freezing a woman’s own eggs during their peak reproductive years and thawing them in the future as needed.

“We have developed a comprehensive team approach using cutting edge technology at our center,” added Dr. Goldstein. Our staff is very dedicated and invested in patient care and I look forward to helping couples in North Texas make their dreams come true.”

About Fertility Specialists of Texas:
Fertility Specialists of Texas provides advanced fertility services to the greater North Texas area, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, embryo donation and other advanced treatments for both male and female infertility. Dr. Goldstein and staff include a team with an experienced embryologist skilled at performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS).

For more information please visit www.fertilitytexas.com or call 214-618-2044.

News Source: Fertility Specialists of Texas :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The donated treatment cycles are part of the Sher Institute “Giving Back” Program. The Giving Back Program includes these initiatives and many more:
* Donation of two IVF cycles at upcoming Las Vegas seminars (valued at $10,000 each);
* Donation of 16 free IVF cycles to couples over the past 2 years in Dallas, St. Louis, New Jersey, Peoria and Las Vegas;
* Offering free egg freezing for cancer patients to help them preserve their fertility;
* Hosting free, infertility seminars at SIRM locations throughout the country.

The seminars will feature doctors from the Sher Institute’s Las Vegas Fertility Clinic presenting information on infertility treatment and diagnosis, followed by a question/answer session where attendees can ask the doctors their fertility questions.

“Our belief is that the more infertility information a patient can gather, the more empowered she will be, and the more likely she is to have a positive fertility treatment experience,” noted Geoffrey Sher, M.D., founder and Executive Medical Director for Sher Fertility Institute. “These seminars are an opportunity for people to access information at no cost, with no obligation.”

The economic downturn is still having a detrimental effect on the majority of Las Vegas residents, with unemployment rates among the highest in the nation, and a lack of financing for IVF treatment in Las Vegas. Against this backdrop, the free IVF donations can offer several deserving couples an opportunity to start a family – a chance they would not have had access to otherwise.

“We live and work here and we see first hand how many patients need treatment but can’t afford it, especially now,” said Sher Fertility Las Vegas’ Medical Director Jeffrey Fisch, M.D. “We want to offer our resources and expertise to help our community.”

Helping patients gain access to treatment has long been a driving philosophy of the Sher Institute. During the last three decades, Dr. Sher and the Sher Institute have donated hundreds of free treatments to patients and couples from all over the country.

About the Sher Fertility Institute:
The Sher Fertility Institutes comprise a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States. Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care.

Further information about the Sher Fertility Institutes can be found on the SIRM website at www.haveababy.com .

News Source: Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

IMQ, a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of patient care, recently completed a thorough on-site inspection of the local Sacramento area fertility clinic. During the review, the quality of infertility treatment options provided by its local fertility doctors was reviewed and its facility including the in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory was inspected as part of the fertility center’s commitment to providing a high-level of patient satisfaction to couples struggling to get pregnant and trying to conceive.

California IVF infertility specialist Dr. Ernest Zeringue says, “I am proud of our IMQ accreditation and hope the quality of care for our patient family continues to improve with each successful pregnancy that is the result of infertility treatments performed at our local fertility clinic.”

About California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc.:
California IVF provides advanced fertility services to the greater Northern California area, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, embryo donation and other advanced treatments for both male and female infertility. It has been an area leader in advanced chromosome and genetic testing of embryos since 2005. The staff includes a team of experienced embryologists who are skilled at performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS). For more information, please visit www.californiaivf.com .

About the Institute for Medical Quality:
The Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of care provided to patients across the continuum of health care. IMQ offers a wide range of educational, accreditation, consultation, and certification programs. For more information, please visit www.imq.org .

- RSS news feed for California IVF:
http://send2pressnewswire.com/author/california-ivf-davis-fertility-center-inc/feed .

News Source: California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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When compared with current embryo donation and adoption programs, California Conceptions is unique because most intended parents will not have to wait for years to get pregnant. Most failed IVF patients who join this program will be matched with anonymously donated embryos within 6 months of submitting a recipient profile and qualify for a refund if they do not achieve a successful clinical pregnancy.

California IVF Director Dr. Ernest Zeringue says, “The California Conceptions donated embryo program is a great alternative to egg donation and adoption. Most infertility patients are not able to get pregnant because of egg and sperm quality issues. But these genetic factors have nothing do with a women’s ability to carry a successful pregnancy. For patients who believe that genetics do not necessarily make us parents, anonymously donated embryos offer failed IVF patients an additional chance to experience pregnancy and the birth of a child.”

About California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc.:

California IVF is a local fertility clinic of choice for many infertility patients in the Greater Sacramento, Roseville, Fairfield and San Francisco Bay areas. Advanced infertility services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, and other treatments for both male and female infertility are offered at its Northern California fertility center.

The California Conceptions Donated Embryo program (californiaconceptions.com) provides an egg donor and adoption alternative to failed IVF patients from around the world. The staff includes a team of Sacramento fertility doctors and experienced embryologists who are skilled at performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS).

Centrally located between the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Napa Valley and The Pacific, fertility center patients from other states and countries have access to many Northern California travel destinations.

For more information about infertility and California IVF, please visit www.californiaivf.com .

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

PDF copy of press release (and media contact)


STORY REFERENCES: Failed IVF Fertility Patients Considering an Egg Donor or Adoption Now Have a New and Affordable Pregnancy Alternative, California Conceptions Donated Embryo program, embryo adoption, donated embryos, failed ivf, infertility, pregnancy options, sacramento fertility doctor, Roseville fertility clinic, Northern California fertility center, Dr. Ernest Zeringue

“We have always been advocates for more universal coverage when it comes to infertility treatment,” said Dr. Albert Peters, SIRM-New Jersey Medical Director. “Given the cost of treatment and the tough economic environment, it has been much harder for many couples to access IVF. This is our way of doing what we can to help a few of these couples.”

One couple at each seminar will be awarded a free IVF cycle by random drawing. There is no charge to attend the seminars, but to be eligible to win, the individual/couple must be present at the seminar and have a medical diagnosis indicating IVF as a recommended course of treatment. The drawings will be held during the seminars on October 12th in Phillipsburg, NJ and October 14th in Branchburg, NJ.

On average, an IVF cycle costs about $10,000. This does not include any additional procedures, third-party services or medications.

For more information and online registration for the seminars, visit the Sher Institute Web site at www.haveababy.com .

For those in attendance who do not win the free cycle, the seminar affords them the opportunity to learn more about the field of reproductive medicine, the latest advancements and the range of treatment options available.

Helping patients gain access to treatment has long been a driving philosophy of the Sher Institutes. During the last three decades, they have donated hundreds of free cycles to patients and couples from all over the country.

About the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine:

The Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM(R)) is a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. SIRM Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States. Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care.

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

PDF copy of press release (and media contact)


STORY REFERENCES: Sher Institute to Donate Free IVF Cycles at N.J. Fertility Seminars, SIRM, have a baby, private In Vitro Fertilization, infertility, ivf, in vitro fertilization, free ivf, fertility clinics new jersey, lehigh valley, seminar, Dr. Geoffrey Sher, Dr. Albert Peters, SIRM-New Jersey

The donated treatment cycles are part of the Sher Institute “Giving Back” Program, which includes these initiatives and many more:
* Donation of seven IVF cycles to patients in Las Vegas, Dallas and New Jersey earlier this year. The value of each donated cycle is approximately $10,000
* Offering discounted egg freezing for cancer patients through Fertile Hope’s “Sharing Hope” program.
* Providing free fertility evaluations at most SIRM offices.
* Hosting free, infertility seminars at SIRM locations throughout the country.

“Given the economic challenges many families are facing, my colleagues and I are struck by the number of patients who come to see us seeking treatment only to learn that the cost is beyond their reach,” SIRM Founder and Executive Medical Director Geoffrey Sher, M.D. said.

The country continues to suffer the effects of the economic downturn, which has affected not only people’s ability to pay for treatment, but the availability of financing for the procedures as well.

The seminars will include presentations by Dr. Geoffrey Sher, Dr. Walid Saleh and Dr. Gary Horowitz, followed by a town hall style question/answer session with the doctors. Those who would like to register for one of the seminars can find information on the Sher Institute Web site at www.haveababy.com.

Helping patients gain access to treatment has long been a driving philosophy of the Sher Institute. During the last three decades, Dr. Sher and the Sher Institute have donated hundreds of free treatments to patients and couples from all over the country.

About the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine(R) (SIRM(R)):

The Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine is a national network of fertility clinics with specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. SIRM treats a full range of fertility issues including PCOS, Endometriosis, Unexplained Infertility, Recurrent Miscarriage, and Immunologic Infertility issues. SIRM Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States in 1982. Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care. Sher Institute has fertility clinics in Sacramento, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Dallas, TX; St. Louis, MO; Peoria, IL; Bedminster and Phillipsburg, NJ; New York City and Westchester, NY.

Further information about the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine can be found on the SIRM Web site at www.haveababy.com .

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

PDF copy of press release (and media contact)


STORY REFERENCES: Sher Institute to Donate Free IVF Treatments at Upcoming Seminars – Dallas and Peoria Donations Part of Sher Institute ‘Giving Back’ Program, Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine, SIRM, Geoffrey Sher, M.D., IVF treatment, free In-Vitro Fertilization treatments, fertility clinics, PCOS, Endometriosis, Unexplained Infertility, Recurrent Miscarriage, and Immunologic Infertility issues, Dr. Walid Saleh and Dr. Gary Horowitz

Using Gene Security Network’s Parental Support(TM) technology, at-risk couples undergoing in vitro fertilization can now test developing embryos for a larger number of hereditary diseases before implantation and pregnancy. This pre-implantation genetic screening/diagnosis (PGD/PGS) tests for single gene disorders like Sickle Cell and chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome with a single cell from each embryo. This is the first commercial application of these combined screenings.

California IVF Director Dr. Ernest Zeringue says, “In the next 5-10 years, this type of test will become routine at IVF clinics, but at the moment, it is still cutting edge technology. This test offers at risk couples an additional tool for increasing their chance of pregnancy while minimizing the risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder.”

About California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc.:

California IVF provides advanced fertility services to the greater Northern California area, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, and other advanced treatments for both male and female infertility. It is also a Sacramento area partner clinic for Gene Security Network and has been an area leader in advanced chromosome and genetic testing of embryos since 2005. The staff includes a team of experienced embryologists who are skilled at performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS). For more information, please visit www.californiaivf.com.

About Gene Security Network:

GSN’s proprietary Parental Support(TM) technology is the first to leverage data informatics to deliver highly accurate single cell testing for chromosome abnormalities and genetic diseases. The company is based in Redwood City, CA, and supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and leading venture investors like Claremont Creek Ventures and Sequoia Capital. GSN’s technology is at the forefront of pre-implantation genetic testing and the demand for their services has been increasing rapidly. For more information, please visit PGD Experts or www.genesecurity.net.

For more information on the clinical study, visit: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01023048 .

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

PDF copy of press release (and media contact)


STORY REFERENCES: Fertility Patients Can Now Use One Screening for Multiple Types of Genetic Diseases Before Pregnancy, Gene Security Network, California IVF Davis Fertility Center Inc, Dr. Ernest Zeringue, Parental Support technology, in vitro fertilization, donor sperm and donor eggs, embryo freezing or cryopreservation, ICSI, and other advanced treatments for both male and female infertility, 24 chromosome screening, PGD experts