Matthew and Heather struggled with infertility and health complications, preventing them from building their family. Luckily, the couple sought out Fertility Within Reach, an organization that supports those with infertility. With the organization’s advice and your support, Matthew and Heather were able to get the necessary corrective surgeries to have a child.  Fertility Within Reach is grateful for your help in providing either a patient seminar sponsorship or patient support services to people in need like Matthew and Heather.

Here is a testimonial that Matthew wrote explaining their unique situation and how Fertility Within Reach was able to help;

“My wife and I both have vivid memories of being told that I was infertile.  It was so matter of fact when the nurse on the other end of the line said, “no sperm” — we were so emotionally unprepared for that answer.   We were not the couple that knew ahead of time that we would have challenges with becoming pregnant, that said, looking back, maybe we should have been.  Up until the age of 3 I was under the care of multiple physicians and went through several surgeries to correct a congenital defect.  Since then, and several surgeries later, we found out the hard way that most likely damage from corrective procedures had been done to my reproductive system and had rendered me obstructed.  I had since college had pain in that region, but I never connected the two until I began working with Dr. Turek from the Turek Clinic in San Francisco.  I self-referred to Dr. Turek’s care after he was able to fluently speak to the nature of my congenital defect (which was rare) and how it could possibly be impacting my fertility.  After a visit to his clinic last November, I knew that I had been placed in the best care available and that my chances of success through corrective surgery would be high.

I mention all of this because the next step was challenge that would require much direction, guidance and faith.  Our goals were to do everything possible, within reason, to survive this emotionally and financially.  My health insurance plan had an infertility clause built into it – stating that beyond the diagnosis of infertility, we would not be covered for any corrective measures.  It was then that we began looking for resources on how to guide us through a lengthy pre-determination and expected appeals process with our health insurance.  Through an online search, we were led to the Fertility Within Reach, who’s mission to, “empower infertile individuals to advocate in order to build their family,” was exactly what we needed at the time.  We were facing a situation where denial from my insurance was a foregone conclusion unless we carefully presented our case.  It was then that we met Davina, who quickly responded to an email that I sent one night not knowing what to expect, and after her response, I knew immediately that we had been placed in great hands that were both knowledgeable and caring.  She took her time to carefully help us hand craft the cover letter to my insurance, and guide us through what to present to them as evidence that our case needed to be approved for coverage.

I am pleased to say that my wife and I have received a letter of approval from my health insurance (with no appeal), and this would not have been possible without the careful guidance and direction from Davina at Fertility Within Reach.  I have intentionally used the word “led” in this testimonial as an opportunity to say that both Davina and Dr. Turek have been an answer to our prayers.  We do not yet know how this story ends, the corrective surgery to address both the infertility and pain is being scheduled for the end of May, however, we will continue to have faith knowing that God has brought amazing individuals into our lives to show that we are not alone.

Thank You to Fertility Within Reach, and specifically Davina, for being so willing to be part of this with us.  We are tremendously grateful and highly recommend their services to any couple who deals with the unique and personal challenge of infertility.”           -Matthew & Heather Phillips

Thank you all for supporting Fertility Within Reach! Your contributions helped someone like Melissa during a difficult time: