Meadows' Family IVF Fund

When I met my husband John, he immediately told me had Cystic Fibrosis (CF). I didn't know much about it so I researched the disease. I knew it affected the lungs, but was shocked to find out just how much of his body was really affected by the chronic illness. All of his major organs, including his reproductive system were compromised and I knew from that moment on that starting our family would be a challenge.  
As a result of his CF, John suffered a cardiac arrest in September 2014. He is the strongest person I've ever met and he pulled through. He received a life saving double lung transplant the following December in 2015. I am grateful for his donor each and every day for giving him the opportunity to live the life he deserves and for giving me the love of my life.
Almost 5 years post transplant, John works full time within the healthcare system providing for others daily, we bought a home and got married on the most amazing day of my life, 7/27/19. He inspires me to never take things for granted. He has been my rock and my best friend since the day we met.
To stay healthy, John is required to take many anti-rejection medications that keep his body from rejecting his new lungs. Although they are necessary, they come with an array of side effects. I, as well, suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I was diagnosed at age 23 after suffering with it for 10 years. PCOS affects more than just my reproductive system. My hormone levels cause hypothyroidism and insulin resistance as well as depression and anxiety. The reproductive symptoms make it impossible for me to conceive without assistance from a fertility specialist. 
We are so happy and thankful to be married, but we know something is missing; both of us have always wanted to be parents. After all of John’s battles, he deserves to be a dad because I know he will be an amazing one. We began our fertility journey in December 2019 and as expected, we immediately encountered obstacles. We had multiple failed procedures and decided to switch clinics. At the new clinic, we learned the procedures we had previously were never going to work for us. We realized quickly that we had wasted almost a year and more than $8,000. We have been told our only option to have children would be through IVF, but even that comes with additional obstacles as a result of our medical history. 
We want children more than anything in this world and will try whatever it takes to make it happen. We have been through so much together and know that we are strong enough to persevere through this as well. 
Our main obstacle is the financial burden that comes with IVF. The required injections, office visits, egg retrieval, labs, and transfer total more than $10,000. We are sharing our story and hoping for any help to make our dream come true. 

Thank you,
John and Rachel Meadows