National Fertility Awareness Week, which takes place on 1st–5th November 2021, is just one month away. Make sure to catch these highlights, including three exclusive surveys revealing:
- The national picture on access to NHS-funded fertility services
- What it’s like to juggle IVF and employment
- The impact of Covid on fertility patients and treatment.
Gwenda Burns, chief executive of Fertility Network UK said: ‘Not being able to have the family you yearn for can be an incredibly isolating experience. Far too often people struggle in silence with fertility issues but together – sharing stories and experiences – we can change perceptions, signpost support and raise funds to help others.
‘That’s why the key message of National Fertility Awareness Week is #YouAreNotAlone. We are stronger together. This week is a chance to challenge the taboos and myths around infertility and raise awareness of the devastating physical, emotional and social impact fertility problems wreak.’
Monday 1st November: #FertilityFairness
The event will reveal the best and worst places to live in the UK if you’re hoping to access NHS-funded IVF and highlight which of England’s clinical commissioning groups are using their own arbitrary access criteria to ration fertility treatment. Fertility Network is campaigning for #FertilityFairness for all clinically-eligible patients, regardless of postcode, race, or sexuality.
Tuesday 2nd November: #DonorDay
Raising awareness of issues around donated gametes and embryos is what #DonorDay is all about. What is needed for the future? We highlight the need for ethnic minority gamete and embryo donors, and encourage the public to consider gamete donation and fertility patients who have completed their IVF family to consider embryo donation.
Wednesday 3rd November #HIMFertility
#HIMFertility is all about male fertility. Men are half of the fertility equation and their experiences, thoughts and feelings matter equally. Did you know the most common reason for a couple to try IVF is because of male factor problems? Share and tweet our top five #HIMfertility facts.
Thursday 4th November #FertilityEd
The results of a major survey with fertility benefits provider Fertifa looking at fertility in the workplace will be revealed through #FerilityEd. What is the reality of juggling fertility treatment and employment? How do fertility policies and fertility education make a difference? What should people expect from their employer?
Friday 5th November #TalkFertility
Through #TakeFertility, the impact of the Covid pandemic on fertility patients and their treatment. How did fertility clinics respond, did patients feel informed and supported and has Covid changed fertility treatment forever?
