News Release from IAAC: My Story

The Infertility Awareness Association of Canada (IAAC) today called on Ontario's infertile community to share their stories with the Ontario government. The email-based "My Story" campaign seeks to share the personal stories of those touched by infertility in Ontario with local MPP's, the Premier and the Ministers of Health and Children and Youth Services. IAAC is hoping to collect more than 10,000 stories documenting the physical, emotional and financial impact of infertility in Ontario.

Despite statistics that suggest 1 in 6 Ontarians faces difficulties starting a family, IAAC believes that this critical public health issue remains too often a private matter. "The My Story Campaign will force Ontario's politicians to become better aware of the issue and the struggle of their infertile constituents," says Bev Hanck, Executive Director of IAAC. According to IAAC, the campaign isn't only seeking the stories of those individuals and couples facing infertility, but the personal experiences of those who were touched by a loved one's pursuit of family.

The My Story campaign is being launched months prior to the final report by the province's Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption, "in order to help the Ontario government better recognize what's at stake," says Bev Hanck.

"Once exposed to Ontario's infertile community they will see it all," says Bev Hanck. "A community filled with great sadness and great joy; resilience and fatigue; hope and despair. Certainly the recent formation of the Expert Panel demonstrated that the government sees us; this campaign will ensure that they know us as well."

Those interested in documenting their story with infertility can visit www.iaac.ca
and click on "Share Your Story", or go to www.iaac.ca/my-story.

And from the website:
Whether you or someone you love faced infertility, please take a moment to share your story with the Ontario government.

Tell them that the work of the Infertility and Adoption Expert Panel matters.
Tell them about your struggle to start a family.
And tell them what's at stake.