National Infertility Awareness Week April 21-27, 2024
National Infertility Awareness Week®, (NIAW) is a movement, founded in 1989 by RESOLVE. All too often myths and misinformation appear in media stories or influence lawmakers and companies to enforce policies that create barriers for people who need help building their family. And still people feel isolated when they struggle to build a family, so we want to empower them to share their story and find a community that cares.
Building Families Alliance Town Hall: April 24 (Virtual)
Join us on Wednesday, April 24, from 5:30-6:30pm for a virtual town hall meeting on Zoom. We will cover what’s happening in US related to IVF after the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling, hear from Wisconsinites about their personal family building stories, and share more about how you can get involved to raise awareness of infertility in Wisconsin and barriers and join the movement to pass state policy covering infertility treatment and fertility preservation.
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BFA & Kindbody #LightTheHoan Orange for NIAW: April 24 (Milwaukee)
This Wednesday, April 24, in partnership with Kindbody, we will #LightTheHoan orange to raise awareness of the barriers to family building that affect more than 172,000 families in Wisconsin and 1 in 6 people globally.
If you're in the Milwaukee area, please join us to gather at the public viewing site at the Erie Street Plaza (665 E. Erie St.) for the lighting, which will start 30 minutes before sunset. The bridge will remain lit until 2am. A livestream feed of the bridge can also be viewed by anyone at https://lightthehoan.com/hoan-bridge-livestream/.
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Lighting the bridge ties into the national campaign led by RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, to #WearOrange and #LightItUpOrange across the country during National Infertility Awareness Week to help raise awareness about the importance of empowering people in their journey and changing the conversation around infertility.
Thank you to Kindbody for their generous support of this event!
Kindbody Milwaukee is led by Dr. Ellen Hayes, a fertility specialist who is board-certified in both reproductive endocrinology and obstetrics and gynecology. Learn more at their website.
Walk of Hope: Sunday, April 21, Wausau, WI
The third annual Wausau, WI DIY Walk of Hope will bring our community together while supporting RESOLVE, the national infertility advocacy organization, in its mission to improve the lives of those facing infertility. This year, the Building Families Alliance has created a walk group--we invite you to join us or donate if you can't attend!
There will be something for everyone to enjoy! Meet up with fellow infertility warriors in a safe environment. Create some memories with our group art project "Waiting in Wisconsin" or take some pictures at our NIAW Polaroid Selfie Station. Bring your family, friends, and kiddos for our professional photographer to capture. Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of our awesome donated baskets. Let's have some fun and raise money that will go straight to the infertility community.
Learn more and sign up here.
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About "Waiting In Wisconsin"
"Waiting in Wisconsin" is a participatory art installation facilitated by Maria Novotny of the ART of Infertility that will debut at the Wausau Walk of Hope. Whether you attend the walk or not, you can submit a picture and write a note/poem/prayer capturing the waiting you have done or are doing in the hopes of building your family after an infertility diagnosis. Be sure to write the city where you live to document that infertility does not discriminate and impacts Wisconsinites from every part of the state. Once filled with pictures and notes of waiting, the ART of IF will document these stories and notes as part of a digital art installation in conjunction with the Building Families Alliance of WI.
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Submit your photo or story here.
Highlights from NIAW 2023
Building Families Alliance NIAW Events 2023
Monday, April 10th 6:30pm-8:pm Virtual
Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey
The UW-Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is pleased to present Healthy Women Community Talks. This free community education series is dedicated to helping all women stay healthy throughout their lives. Questions and discussion are highly encouraged.
Monday, April 24th 10am Virtual
Building Families Alliance Press Avail
The Building Families Alliance is inviting media to listen to a timely conversation with patients, providers, and advocates on the importance of removing financial barriers that prevent Wisconsinites from achieving their dreams to build a family.
Tuesday, April 25th 8am-5pm Virtual
RESOLVE Advocacy Day
Advocacy Day is a 1 day virtual event where the family building community comes together to educate Members of Congress about issues and legislation important to our community. Learn more about this event here.
Wednesday, April 26th
Wear Orange Day!
Since 1989, RESOLVE has been rocking orange to help promote infertility awareness. Join the orange movement on Wednesday, April 26th and rock your ORANGE gear to show you support of National Infertility Awareness Week®. #WearOrange Campaign was created by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to help raise awareness about the importance of empowering you in your journey and changing the conversation around infertility. Whether it’s you, or someone you know who struggles to build a family, #WearOrange!
Wednesday, April 26th 6pm Building Families Alliance Facebook Live Conversation
Tune into a valuable conversation to learn how you can get involved with the effort to pass infertility treatment and preservation coverage in Wisconsin.
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Wednesday, April 26th
Women's Healthcast NIAW episode airs
Check out this powerful podcast produced by the UW-Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology episode featuring Building Families Alliance leaders.
Thursday, April 27th 11:30am Webinar
Hosted by the Hausmann Group - The Reality of Infertility in the Workplace
This free webinar will focus on the following topics:
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What the most common causes of infertility and how often do individuals experience infertility
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The investment/financial burden on families & employers with people struggling such as physical, emotional, mental and financial strain
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Where employers who are unsure or who might be considering implementing fertility offerings start
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Recommendations from employers that have implemented fertility benefits
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How insurance coverage plays a vital role in treatment of infertility
Friday, April 28th Virtual Day of Action to Keep Infertility Treatment Coverage in State Budget
Governor Tony Evers has included infertility treatment and fertility preservation coverage in his proposec State Budget. We need your help to encourage as many state legislators as possible work to keep this pro-family provision in the final State Budget that is passed.
Saturday, April 29th Walk of Hope at Doepke Recreation Area in Wausau
Patient advocacy, education, support, and community serve as pillars of RESOLVE’s mission to improve the lives of those facing infertility. The Walk of Hope brings RESOLVE’s mission to life in local communities nationwide.