RICHMOND, Va. -- The Race to Parenthood 5k was held Saturday in the West Creek Business Park. With more than 500 runners and walkers participating today – the event raised more than $40,000 to help the six featured couples who are struggling with infertility and cannot afford fertility treatments or adoption fees.
Last year, in the first year, they raised $28,600. And, five of last year's six couples are all expecting babies
One in seven couples struggle with infertility. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the average cost of a single cycle of in vitro fertilization cycle (IVF) is $12,400, and many couples require more than one attempt to achieve a successful pregnancy. Adoption and surrogacy costs can range anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000. Adding the financial burden to the emotional toll that infertility can take can be overwhelming.
After five years of struggling with infertility, race founder Jenn Nixon and her husband Brad, suffered a 2nd trimester miscarriage in 2012. It was from that loss that doctors discovered she had multiple heart complications that would prevent her from safely carrying a pregnancy to term. The Nixons knew immediately that they wanted to pursue gestational surrogacy, but were overwhelmed with the costs.
That is when Jenn Nixon came up with the idea for The Race to Parenthood 5k.
"I've met so many couples who desperately wanted to be parents, but couldn't afford to pay out-of-pocket for IVF, IUI, surrogacy, or adoption," Nixon said. "Coming up with an event that would not only bring awareness to this struggle, but would also provide an opportunity for friends and family to help their loved ones fund their path to parenthood, was what inspired me to create The Race to Parenthood 5k."
For more information about this organization, checkout their website , Facebook page and Twitter account.
