National Infertility Awareness Week: How You Can Help

National Infertility Awareness Week {NIAW} takes place April 18-24 this year, and there are a number of ways men and women across the country can take part in supporting the fertility community. Washington Fertility Center works closely with the fertility community in addition to our patients year-round in order to provide as much help as possible, and NIAW offers a special opportunity to bolster this on a large scale to a wider audience. We encourage those interested in taking part to review some of the ways you can help this year and in years to come.

If appropriate, reach out to someone facing infertility.

If you know someone who has shared with you that they are facing infertility or has made their journey public, this week is an especially timely period to reach out to this person or couple and voice your support. Infertility can be a very lonely experience, but having friends and family behind you, without judgement, can go a long way toward making the experience more bearable. You can send a card, make a call, email, or however is best, but letting someone know you are thinking of them and available if they need it is an important step.

Use social media to keep the conversation going.

NIAW is thoroughly amplified via social media, but this can be somewhat contained to people and organizations already associated with fertility and family planning. Using your own social media, if you’re comfortable doing so, to spread the word by sharing articles, social posts, and using hashtags like #NIAW or #WhatIWantYouToKnow can continue to expand the audience and actually spread awareness and education about infertility issues.

Show up (safely).

In the last year, many in-person events have turned virtual in order to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. This is true for many local events held for NIAW including educational talks and fundraisers. You can even find a virtual “Walk of Hope” near you using this tool from RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association. Please note that if an in-person event is being held in your area, that all relevant COVID-19 restrictions and safety measures (mask-wearing, social distancing) will need to be taken seriously.

In the last year, day-to-day experiences for all of us have become isolating, but for those facing infertility, the isolation, stress, and open-endedness of “When can I start/continue/finish treatment” has been overwhelming. Let’s work together to make this year’s NIAW one of the best on record.

If you have questions about infertility care, including diagnosis and treatment, please contact the specialists at Washington Fertility Center today.