FEATURE — Strap on your running shoes, open your hearts and seize the opportunity to change a life Saturday when the Footsteps for Fertility Foundation, in partnership with the Utah Fertility Center, will host its third 5K fun run/walk.
In vitro fertilization may be the most successful option for couples facing infertility, but the extreme cost can prevent many from achieving their dreams of starting a family. Participants in the 5K may include family, friends or anyone else who wants to be supportive in a battle that can leave many feeling isolated. Proceeds will go toward Footsteps for Fertility Foundation grants.
Footsteps for Fertility Foundation organizes annual races with the goal of promoting infertility awareness and educating couples about how to get grants and affordable treatment options for IVF, frozen embryo transfers and intrauterine insemination.
As part of Saturday’s event, Utah Fertility Center has donated their services for a cycle of IVF to the foundation to be awarded at the end of the run as one of the Footsteps for Fertility Foundation grants. Although other expenses such a medication, blood work and donation fees are not covered, the entire cost of the clinic’s in-house services will be a welcome prize for the winner.
In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the event will also be awarded as monetary grants.
The random selection process for the grants will take place directly following the race. Each registrant will receive one complimentary ticket with their registration that may be entered to be awarded a Footsteps Grant for themselves or someone they know at the event who requires fertility treatments.
If you don’t live near a 5K event or can’t attend, Footsteps for Fertility Foundation also periodically offers a national application. National applications are typically chosen by random selection.
Footsteps for Fertility Foundation
Footsteps for Fertility Foundation is a charitable organization created to raise awareness surrounding infertility and provide grants for those who require fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization, frozen embryo transfer and intrauterine insemination. Grants come from donations and strategic partnerships with fertility clinics.
The Footsteps for Fertility Foundation Grant is awarded to couples who require fertility treatments to have children. Grants through Footsteps for Fertility Foundation are either in-kind donated services from clinical partners or monetary grants typically valued at $5,000 each or less depending on the cost of required treatment.
The Footsteps for Fertility Foundation Grant can be applied toward treatments such as IVF, frozen embryo transfers or up to three intrauterine insemination transfers taking place within a 12-month period of time.
The efforts of Footsteps for Fertility Foundation and its supporters have provided a total of 144 fertility grants to date.
Utah Fertility Center
According to the Utah Fertility Center website, the organization’s mission is to help every patient achieve pregnancy in a setting filled with compassion, dignity and joy. The majority of patients at Utah Fertility Center are able to conceive with minimal treatments and lower costs. For those that require more aggressive treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, the center’s IVF lab is among the top in the nation, offering cutting-edge technology and impressive success rates.
Everyone’s journey is unique and personal individualized care is what you can expect at Utah Fertility Center. Their dedicated team of professionals, led by board-certified reproductive endocrinologists, will guide clients every step of the way. Whether prospective parents have been on this journey for some time or are just getting started, the Utah Fertility Center will help them get on the path to parenthood.
For more information about Utah Fertility Center services, call 801-785-5100 or go to their website.
Written by ANDREW PINCKNEY.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Event details
- What: 3rd annual Footsteps for Fertility 5K run/walk.
- When: Saturday, Sept. 22, from 9-11 a.m.
- Where: Cottonwood Cove Park, 1027 S Dixie Drive, St. George.
- Admission: $40 registration ends at midnight Thursday, Sept. 20.
- For more information on this and other events check out Footsteps for Fertility website.