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Albany IVF names three local couples recipients of Second Gifted IVF Essay Program
Submissions Capture Hearts of Review Committee; IVF Treatments At No Cost, Chance At Starting Families, to Begin Immediately
ALBANY, NY (August 23, 2006) – After much deliberation and some shed tears, the review committee for Albany IVF’s second Gifted IVF Essay Program today announced that it has chosen not one but three local couples as overall recipients.
Naeela Marrero and Hernan Figueroa of Clifton Park, Amy and Stephen Hughes of Averill Park and Brenda and Dan Fairbanks of Hudson Falls will each receive IVF treatments at no cost. The gift includes the cost of all IVF procedures, blood work and ultrasound monitoring, anesthesia and medication. The cost of additional work–up prior to the treatment cycle (if required) will be the responsibility of the chosen recipient.
"The applications we received were so moving that we decided to choose three recipients this year," said Peter M. Horvath, M.D., FACOG, founder and director of Albany IVF. "We’re extremely excited to give these deserving couples hope and promise to start families of their own."
"My husband and I were in disbelief and very emotional when we received the news," said Marreto, who moved to New York state from Puerto Rico with her husband just three months ago in the hope of earning enough money to pay for IVF treatments. "We are truly blessed. I feel like I am dreaming. We are so thankful for this opportunity and a chance to work with one of the best IVF facilities in the region."
Amy and Stephen Hughes, who were also elated to hear the news, submitted their essay after attending one of Albany IVF’s open information sessions. After trying other treatment options, the couple saw the contest as an opportunity to finally receive the most promising fertility treatments. They described the gift as a chance for them to "finally share the little joys that make life both fun and meaningful with children of their own."
After learning they were also recipients, the Fairbanks finally see a glimmer of hope after seven discouraging years of trying to get pregnant. Due to the cost of IVF procedures, the couple believes this is their only opportunity to give IVF treatments a chance to begin a family.
"Family members and close friends were constantly getting pregnant and bringing healthy babies into the world," said Dan Fairbanks, noting how he and his wife took a break from trying to conceive last Christmas because of the emotional stress. "When we received the news that we had won this gift we were overjoyed that something had finally gone our way."
Each couple was asked to submit an essay about what motherhood/parenthood meant to them. In addition, they had to provide the review committee with their medical history, physical health, laboratory screenings and proof that their insurance would not cover the cost of IVF treatments.
Albany IVF will immediately begin evaluating and working with all three couples to determine the best treatment options.
In 2003, Brenda and Steve Hathaway of Hoosick Falls were named recipients of Albany IVF’s inaugural Gifted IVF Essay Program. Brenda, who tried unsuccessfully for five years to have children, gave birth to twins, Allison Rose and Brady James, in August 2004.