AJ & Danielle-IVF & Surrogacy Journey for Baby Q

7 years of marriage

575 days since starting IVF

45 doctor’s appointments

206 shots

3 transfers

4 precious embryos transplanted resulting in miscarriages

Over $6,000 spent on medications

Over $31,000 spent on fertility treatment

Countless hours of praying for a miracle

These are just some stats that I want to share with you all. For years my brother, AJ, and sister-in-law, Danielle, have been praying to be parents. They are the most resilient couple I know. Just before getting married, Danielle was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After overcoming chemotherapy and finally being cancer free, they were married and eventually discovered they would not be able to conceive a child without the help of IVF. They were heartbroken.

Over the last three years, they have grown so much individually and as a couple. They are role models I look to and boy do I know they will be the most amazing parents ever. A journey that started in 2019 is now continuing in 2022 with hope that this will be the year. We have been longing for Baby Q and feel this time is different.

After a third miscarriage with twins, AJ and Danielle were at a loss for words. A holiday season that we thought would bring joy brought much sadness. Little did they know my sister, Ashley, had been praying for months and felt led to help in any way she could. After many discussions with Daniel, her husband, she decided to offer to be their surrogate. With tears of joy, AJ and Danielle graciously accepted.

Since January of 2022, my siblings and their spouses have been working through the many steps to become the first that we know to have a baby via surrogacy. I am overwhelmed with the faithfulness AJ and Danielle display as they enter this new season. I am so proud of my sister for giving the ultimate gift of life and to Daniel, my brother-in-law, for not thinking twice about supporting his wife in this decision. I’ve seen a change in our family since this journey, we are stronger and closer than ever. Our hearts are full, and we pray with expectation. We are SO excited.

That being said, we are asking for prayers first and foremost. Prayers for the health, patience, and wisdom for the doctor’s helping to make this dream come true.

Second, we hope this gives encouragement to others struggling to grow their family and knowledge to those who don’t know much about infertility and surrogacy. There are so many out there battling this fight privately and we hope this opens the door for conversation surrounding the challenges, misinformation, grief, and hope surrounding infertility.

Third, we are asking for a little help. As you can see, AJ and Danielle have already put so much into growing their family. All donations will go directly to the medication for Ashley, which is estimated to be about $2,500, legal fees associated with the surrogacy, which is $6,550, and to the Frozen Embryo Transfer Utilizing a Gestational Carrier (Ashley) which is approximately $10,700. Any additional funds received will be donated to foundations offering surrogacy grants to help other families who are struggling with infertility.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. We will continue to update as we move forward and through this process.

Love,

Alyssa and the Quintana, Lewis, and Sommer families