This week is National Infertility Awareness Weeek (NIAW), which runs from April 22 -28. NIAW brings attention to the millions of men and women, who suffer from infertility each year. The aim of the NIAW movement is to reduce the stigma surrounding infertility and educate the public about reproductive health issues that make it difficult for many people to achieve the families they desire.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association first introduced NIAW in 1989 and it became a nationally recognized health observance by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2010. Since the inception of NIAW, there have been significant medical advances in fertility treatment that have allowed many couples to conceive. Access to fertility treatment has also improved over the years. More and more companies are now providing fertility benefits for their employees. We still have a long way to go though.
There is still a stigma surrounding infertility that prevents many men and women from seeking fertility care. That’s why the theme of this year’s NIAW is #FliptheScript. The goal is to change the conversation about infertility and to break down the barriers that people with infertility face every day.
If you suffer from infertility yourself or if you have a friend or family member suffering from infertility, there is no better time to get involved and show your support. There are many ways you can join the movement:
- Update Your Profile Picture: The orange heart has become the symbol of infertility awareness (#HaveAHeart). Adding this image to your Facebook profile picture can show your friends and loved-ones how much you support them.
- Wear it!: Wear an orange heart on your clothes all week long to show your support.
- Walks of Hope: Walk of Hope is RESOLVE’s community fundraising event in select cities. Participants walk together in solidarity to support the cause and to show that no one should ever have to go through infertility alone. If you can, join the Walk of Hope in your area. The complete list of walks can be found at https://resolve.org/get-involved/events/walk-of-hope/
These small things can make a huge difference in the lives of people who suffer from infertility. Together, we can reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the stigma surrounding infertility. At Reproductive Partners, we’ll be wearing orange heart pins all week long and hope you will join the movement as well.