Organized on behalf of Rachael Shaw Marshall & Andrew Marshall 

Dear Friends and Family and the Curious Passerby, 

I think we can agree that Rachael and Andrew are among the most sincere, creative, and generous souls we have met. They are both earnest and humble, always striving to learn and grow as artists, as educators, as friends, as humans, and now—as parents.

I met Rachael and Andrew six years ago, when we lived and worked in close proximity at a Montessori boarding school. I witnessed firsthand the devotion, tenderness, and joy they bring to supporting young people.  Rachael could be found directing students in song, building their confidence in theatre performances and in class, and in quieter moments, helping them cope with all of the angst that adolescence brings. Andrew shared his many skills as a renaissance man—painting, writing poetry, chopping wood, filmmaking, and even leading a band of 7th grade students through a backcountry camping adventure (no easy feat!). They were both in their element. I have no doubt—because I have witnessed their work and their love for young people—that they will be fantastic parents. 


After years of the intimate pain of infertility, Rachael and Andrew have found a way forward—through a process called embryo adoption (https://californiaconceptions.com/). Embryo adoption is a relatively new fertility strategy that involves combining an anonymously donated egg and sperm to form an embryo, and then transferring that embryo into Rachael (similar to the final steps of in vitro fertilization). This process has a much higher success rate than in vitro fertilization (IVF), and is also more affordable.  For context, a single IVF treatment can cost as much as $40,000 for a success rate of up to 75%. Andrew and Rachael’s embryo adoption process will cost $25,000 and offers them three attempts—with an overall success rate of 95%. 

Still, it is beyond the means of many folks because many health insurance companies frame fertility treatments as elective. For this reason, we are asking for your help in raising the $25,000 needed for the treatment. Even the smallest amount will be a meaningful step forward in reaching our goal. 

Our financial goal may be ambitious, but our ultimate goal is profound—bringing a new human being into the world.  Here’s a breakdown of the costs*: 

$15,000 - 3 Transfer Attempts   (*Refundable)
$6,000 - Genetic Screening 
$3,000 - Transfer 2 embryos in the the first try 
$1,000 - Medications not included in transfer cost

*If the transfer process is not successful, Andrew and Rachael will use the refunded money to begin a traditional adoption process. 



If you know Rachael and Andrew, you know how supportive they are to friends, family, and strangers alike. They have pursued careers in service of others—careers rooted in education, art, and journalism. Now it is our turn to show up for them. 

Our Ask: 

Please give what you can. 
Please share this page with your broader community.
Please send some love their way. 



T H A N K 
Y O U!