Couple Selected for Infertility Assistance with 2015 Gift of Hope

BATON ROUGE, La. - May 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Jamie and Shedran Reese of Geismar, LA will soon be receiving an all-expenses-paid round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) from a South Louisiana-based fertility network.

The Reeses have always aspired to be parents, but they’ve suffered several traumatic setbacks along the way. Jamie lost three pregnancies, took several tests, and underwent diagnostic surgery. Finally, it was revealed that Jamie has blocked fallopian tubes. The couple contacted reproductive endocrinologist Dr. John Storment who recommended IVF as the best chance of achieving a pregnancy, but the couple quickly realized the procedure was out of their budget. So they sent in an application to Dr. Storment’s Gift of Hope program.

Created to ease the high costs, both financially and emotionally of IVF, Gift of Hope awards infertility treatments to one couple each year who demonstrates both financial and medical needs for the procedure. Since 2006, there have been 12 Louisiana couples chosen; seven of which conceived and four babies have been born as a result. This year, more than 50 applications were received— making the decision for the independent selection committee extremely difficult.

“With research and guidance, we heard about the Gift of Hope,” said Mrs. Reese. “Knowing that there are people out there who are willing to help with infertility has given us hope. Hope that one day we might be so lucky to finally become the parents we know in our hearts that we are meant to be. Just the thought of this possibility has brought a waterfall of joy to our lives. Our strength is renewed and our faith stronger.”

The couple was just notified of their win and will begin their IVF cycle this summer.

The FertilityAnswers Network is a Baton Rouge and Lafayette-based infertility health system with statewide reach. It is the largest network of fertility clinics in the state — serving more than two-thirds of Louisiana in over 40 parishes. It includes four separate, clinical offices with two state-of-the-art IVF laboratories serving a geographic area of more than 35,000 square miles. The FertilityAnswers Network has helped thousands of couples become parents, with more than 4,000 babies born.