Success Stories

Kayla

“I had just enjoyed my 28th birthday when I was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Tumors (rare malignant tumors). My oncologist informed me of a medication that could help but may impact my fertility. If nothing else, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be a mother and can’t wait to bring my children into the world. I had to start the targeted chemotherapy right away but could not afford to freeze my eggs.

Worth the Wait has been incredible as I’m a proud grant recipient and can’t wait to pay that same generosity forward. Cancer is an unexpected journey and no aspect of it is easy but Worth the Wait has give me and so many others hope! I’m forever grateful!”

Kaia

“My daughter, Kaia, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer in August 2023. While being given the worst news of our lives, all these scary things were thrown at us. One of them was having Kaia have her eggs harvested in case the chemo sterilizes her.

If it were not for Worth the Wait, my girl could have possibly missed out on the chance to be a mother someday. Words can’t express how overwhelmingly grateful we are for this. Not only did they make this possible Megan was a kind listening ear through this process.

Some day when I am holding my grand baby in my arms, I will be reminded of the overwhelming kindness of strangers that made it possible and be forever grateful to the Worth the Wait.”

Sasha

Sasha was diagnosed with lymphoma at 20 and then breast cancer in her 30s. She received a grant to help preserve her eggs.

“There are so many aspects of going through this that are hard to face, but one is the fear of not getting to be a parent, like I’ve always wanted. It’s scary to think that might not happen, but it’s even scarier to think that could just be due to financial reasons. No one should have to face that choice for lack of funds, especially during a cancer diagnosis.

That’s one of SOOO many reasons I am beyond grateful for—and to—Worth The Wait. Not only do I feel a little less alone at a time that is beyond overwhelming, but I get to keep the dream alive that I might get through all this and still have a chance to be a parent. I’m crying as I write this because there are no words to TRULY convey what that means to me.”

Cassandra

“At the age of 31 my fiancé and I were planning on getting married and starting a family shortly after. I never expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer at such a young age.

While discussing my treatment plan with my team of doctors, they strongly suggested fertility preservation due to the possibility of my chemotherapy regimen causing infertility. Without hesitation my fiancé and I knew we had to preserve embryos not knowing it wasn’t covered by insurance. To say we were shocked by the price of each cycle was an understatement!

Two cycles later, we now have two embryos preserved in hopes of starting our family when the time is right. We are so incredibly thankful for Worth the Wait Charity for helping to relieve some of the financial burden associated with our fertility preservation costs!”

Isabel

“I just turned 20 when I got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and needed to start chemotherapy right away. As we were going through all the side effects of chemo, they told me that I may become infertile so I went ahead with egg retrieval/preservation.

I was very worried about the cost of the egg retrieval but I know I wanted a family in the future. That’s where Worth The Wait comes in. They do more than give grants for IVF/egg retrieval/preservation etc. They give hope to each person they help. I am so incredibly grateful for their help!”

Whitney

“At the age of 35, I finally decided it was time for my dream of becoming a mother to come true. A visit with my doctor soon after changed my entire world. Instead of wondering if I was or would become pregnant, we discovered the early stages of a high grade endometrial cancer and would immediately need a total hysterectomy.

Fertility sparing was very important to me and I needed to move quickly, but insurance wasn’t accepted for the necessary testing of my partner to make our embryos. Worth the Wait was able to provide assistance where I needed it. Now, as I am recovering from surgery, I’ve been informed I have 7 embryos successfully frozen for when I find the right gestational carrier.”

Joanne

“It is so important to have organizations like yours to provide hope and support to those facing such hardship in their lives. I am so grateful. Thank you.”

Mumtahina

“I was supposed to be graduating with my master’s this year when all of a sudden I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). I was so depressed when I was told the upcoming bone-marrow transplant can make me infertile for the rest of my life and before that, I must freeze my eggs for the future. Being emotionally devastated I was also confused since my insurance won’t cover my expenses. My husband and I are both graduate students.

The Worth the Wait grant is helping us get one step closer to parenthood.”

Alan

“I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent a month’s worth of radiation therapy.

I reached out to Worth the Wait [for assistance with IVF] with very little hope left for us. We were so used to life getting us down that we couldn’t imagine receiving any good news. When I took the call from Worth the Wait and they offered to help, I could not hold back my tears as I felt some of the weight from our two-year journey being lifted from my shoulders. We had finally received some good news in our journey to parenthood.

Because of Worth the Wait, my wife and I were able to put our financial worries to rest while we focused on supporting each other through the difficult IVF process.

Thank you, Worth the Wait, for being there for us during one of the most difficult times in our lives. You provided hope when we felt none.”

Matthias

Matthias was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2019. The disease had taken over his body so much that he was not able to preserve fertility before chemo.

He went through several rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant. He and his wife Katie were not told much information about fertility options and that caused frustration and uncertainty. Last year they found an amazing provider who has a wealth of experience working with young cancer survivors. Because of this, and a grant from Worth the Wait, they have the hope they need to start a family through IVF.

Bob

Several years ago Bob and Carolyn faced unexplained male infertility and felt called to adopt. They adopted in 2019 and when their daughter was one year old, Bob was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He underwent surgery, chemo and more surgery. He was stable for a short time but is currently receiving more chemo to beat cancer.

The couple unexpectedly received a call from their daughter’s birthmother in late October 2021. She was in labor and asked them to adopt their daughter’s biological sister. Despite their circumstances, they knew they wanted to raise the sisters together. While Bob wasn’t able to travel out of state to meet their daughter, they met at home during a break from inpatient chemo. This photo they shared with permission captures all the emotions.

Bob and Carolyn’s story hits close to home. We’re so grateful that Worth the Wait was able to help ease the financial burden of adoption.

Brandon

Brandon was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in his life at 22. He and his fiancé dream of becoming parents one day. His cancer diagnosis has left him unemployed so the cost of fertility testing and sperm banking was out of reach financially.

Through the help of a social worker, Brandon found Worth the Wait. A Worth the Wait grant made it possible for him to bank sperm and cover the annual storage costs for two years.