<div>Hi everyone,
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<div>We’re reaching out to share something deeply personal and important to us.
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<div>For a long time, we’ve dreamed of becoming parents and building a family together. Our journey to get here, however, has been much more difficult than we ever expected.
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<div>In September 2025, my partner Sophie was diagnosed with mucinous ovarian cancer and underwent surgery to remove one ovary. We’re incredibly grateful that she came through such a frightening and life-changing experience, and thankfully her prognosis is positive. However, the impact on our fertility has been devastating.
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<div>Due to the removal of one ovary, Sophie’s hormone levels have dropped significantly to the point where doctors believe it is now unlikely we will conceive naturally. Despite these circumstances and medical advice supporting IVF as our best chance of having a child, we have sadly been declined NHS funding for IVF twice, leaving private treatment as our only realistic option.
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<div>Although Sophie’s prognosis is hopeful, there is still a risk that the cancer could return in the future. If this were to happen, it is likely that her remaining ovary would also need to be removed, potentially taking away our opportunity to have biological children altogether. This reality has made us feel that time is incredibly precious and that we need to pursue IVF as soon as possible.
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<div>Sophie is also continuing to undergo regular MRI scans, blood tests and ongoing monitoring to ensure the cancer has not returned. Living with that uncertainty while trying to navigate fertility treatment has added another layer of emotional strain and anxiety to our lives.
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<div>Even before treatment begins, the costs involved are enormous. We are facing thousands of pounds in fertility investigations, hormone testing, medications, scans and consultations alone. IVF treatment itself starts from around £4,500 per cycle, with medication costs estimated at approximately £3,000 per cycle on top. Depending on treatment needs, additional procedures such as ICSI, embryo freezing, genetic testing and embryo storage can add thousands more.
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<div>After being declined NHS funding twice, we are now left trying to find a way to fund this privately while also managing everyday living costs during an ongoing cost of living crisis. The financial pressure, alongside the emotional strain of cancer recovery and fertility struggles, has become overwhelming for both of us.
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<div>Sophie has dedicated the last 20 years to working within the NHS — starting her career as a midwife, later supporting women through pregnancy loss, and now working as a women’s health nurse. She has spent her life caring for and supporting others through some of the most emotional and difficult moments imaginable, which makes this journey even more heartbreaking for us both.
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<div>Day in and day out, Sophie continues to work with pregnant women while quietly carrying the heartbreak of our own fertility struggles. Supporting others through pregnancy and motherhood while facing the possibility that we may never experience it ourselves has had a huge impact on her mental health and emotional wellbeing.
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<div>This journey has also taken a significant mental and emotional toll on me, Sam. Trying to support Sophie through cancer recovery, fertility struggles, and the uncertainty of our future while also facing the rising cost of living and the overwhelming expense of IVF has at times felt incredibly difficult and isolating.
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<div>Sophie is now 38, and alongside the effects of cancer treatment, we are also facing the natural decline in fertility that comes with age. Sadly, time is not on our side, and this truly feels like our last chance to try and make our dream of becoming parents a reality. We are also painfully aware that many NHS fertility funding pathways stop after the age of 39, which has added even more urgency and pressure to our situation.
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<div>While we’re trying to stay hopeful, the emotional and financial toll of this journey has been overwhelming, but we are not ready to give up on our dream of becoming parents.
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<div>We’ve created this fundraiser to help cover:
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<div>* Fertility investigations and hormone testing
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<div>* IVF treatment and medication costs
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<div>* Additional procedures such as ICSI if required
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<div>* Embryo freezing and storage fees
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<div>* Medical appointments, scans and blood tests
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<div>* Counselling and emotional support during treatment
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<div>* Time away from work for treatment and recovery
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<div>Asking for help is not easy, but we know we’re surrounded by people who care about us and want to support our dream of becoming parents.
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<div>Whether you’re able to donate, share this page, or simply send kind thoughts and encouragement, it truly means the world to us. Every bit of support brings us one step closer to hopefully starting our family.
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<div>Thank you for reading our story and for supporting us through this journey.
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<div>With love and gratitude,
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<div>Sam &amp; Sophie
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Calvin William Lyons

Susan Senter

Garri Davies

Emma Franks

K W Chan

Anonymous

Louise Rogers

Emma Neary

barbara overton

Reema Harfoushi

Margarita Kirkutyte

Chris Davis

Selena Hassan

JP Singleton

shira groombridge

George Lenon

After Cancer, We’re Fighting to be Parents

After Cancer, We’re Fighting to be Parents

Still £2,950 to go. Help us build momentum.