Join the RESOLVE Walk of Hope on October 15th in Washington, D.C.

Washington Fertility Center encourages patients and support networks alike to advocate for the infertility community. One excellent opportunity to support those struggling with infertility is to participate in RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association’s fifth annual Walk of Hope in Washington, D.C. RESOLVE hosts Walk of Hope in cities across the United States to help raise awareness of infertility and fundraise for infertility advocacy initiatives, like better coverage for treatment.

This year’s D.C. Walk of Hope will be on Saturday, October 15th, with check-in starting at 9 a.m. The walk is just one-mile-long, and you can take it at whatever pace is most comfortable for you.

Click here to support a team, donate, or register for the D.C. Walk of Hope.

How else can I support the infertility community?
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, a former patient, or a family member or friend of someone struggling with infertility, there are numerous easy ways you can help support the infertility community and become an advocate for better infertility awareness.

Learn the lingo – Educating yourself about infertility is an important way to support those who are currently exploring their treatment options. Unintentionally harmful assumptions are often borne from ignorance, so casual comments about a particular treatment’s effectiveness or cost can be hurtful to someone who is putting a great deal of time and effort into becoming a parent. Resist the urge to offer unsolicited advice or to make assumptions about fertility treatments or diagnoses in which you are not yet familiar.

Be willing to help – Taking the time to support a fertility patient can require simple actions like being a good listener, offering to help with dinner, or running errands during treatment. You don’t have to memorize a family member or friend’s treatment plan in order to be supportive, but taking the time to make their life a little easier during a stressful period can go a long way.

Everyone handles infertility in a different way. Not everyone may be willing to share their diagnosis or treatment plan until they feel that they’ve reached a resolution, whereas others may feel entirely comfortable being open about their situation. You can support infertile couples and individuals through big and small gestures of care.