The Mencels Surrogacy Expense Fund

When Shea was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she and Paul had to face many harsh realities. They knew they needed to undergo fertility treatments and ultimately use a surrogate to build a family. It is not safe for Shea to come off her maintenance medications and getting pregnant for her is not an option. Before her life saving cancer treatments, Shea and Paul underwent IVF treatment, egg retrieval, and fertilization, which fortunately resulted in several healthy embryos. Shea is well into her long-term healing and with the support of her doctors, Shea and Paul have decided they are now ready to move forward with the surrogacy process. They have found a surrogate and plan to implant the embryo by the end of the year.

Here's the bad part: Surrogacy has turned into a money-making business and the average cost of surrogacy in the United States ranges from $110,000-$150,000.

Shea and Paul have applied to every grant available to them and were granted $10,000. Even still, the expenses associated with surrogacy are extensive and overwhelming.

This journey has been long, stressful and sometimes hopeless. We have created this account to alleviate some of the financial burdens of family planning. Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated. Any surplus of money Shea and Paul do not use will be donated to the Hope for Fertility Foundation to support another couple affected by cancer.

Starting a family should be a joyful and hopeful time. We cannot think of two people better suited to have a child and they deserve the opportunity to expand their family.

Thank you,

Steph O’Tormey and Juliet DeRose