To be 42 and staring Infertility in the face is humbling to say the least. My husband, Joe and I, have been married for almost 4 years, together over 5 and we've been "trying" for several years to conceive a child. Recently, our Reproductive Endocrinologist confirmed that my window to conceiving is quickly closing due to my diminished ovarian reserve. My health is in good shape, I was told that I should have no problem physically carrying a child, we just need help getting everything to line up. The only way to conceive naturally at this point is IVF.

Backstory - My name is Karin and I am a ballet instructor and nonprofit, pre-professional dance company director. I sit on the regional and national boards of a nonprofit national dance organization. I have been a teacher to adolescent children for almost 25 years. I have spent over a decade writing grants asking for individuals and foundations to support arts education for children. Now I am writing that same plea to try to have a child of my own.


My husband, Joe, is a manager at a local resort. He, quite frankly, is the love of my life. We met "the old fashioned way - online" and haven't looked back since. The other day he told me that he truly believes that we were meant for each other because he's "way too comfortable with" me - we are each other's best friend.

Unfortunately, we live in a state that does not cover IVF through insurance. The money we are hoping to raise would go directly to IVF procedure costs and medications. This $15,000 is for a one-shot deal. With my age and diminished ovarian reserve, there are extra tests that must be done to ensure a viable embryo.

Why IVF? Why not Adoption or Foster Care? If you have children, you will understand when I say that looking into your child's eyes and seeing a part of you is something you just can't describe - and it's a love you can only know when you have children. Well - that is our dream. We do not want to regret not trying. We both come from strong families who love and adore each other. We want to keep that line going.


I am thankful for the ability to work with children on a daily business and whole-heartedly care for their education and well-being - and I'll be honest, I'm a bit jealous of the families that come into our studio. Joe creates connections every day with families at his resort, but mentions often coming home feeling an emptiness and wondering if he will every get to enjoy such a place withis family someday. BTW - I work in a family-run dance studio, so I am with family daily. We just want what everyone else has. I want so badly for my husband to have that little boy (or girl) to dress up in Star Wars gear (he has Storm Trooper armor) and take them to Disneyland. I have had a stellar career and do not regret one bit of the time I have spent working on myself - but now, I want to give back - to a family, to my husband and to a little child.


At this point, we're basically asking for a miracle to occur. One of my clients told me the other day to not give up hope.

I wish we didn't need this help, but that's the reality of the situation. The saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" certainly applies here and we hope you will take this journey with us. Thankful doesn't even begin to describe how we'd feel. There are no words big enough.