Caitlin & James’ Fertility Journey

Hi family, friends and strangers! My name is Erin and I’m fundraising on behalf of my sister Caitlin and brother-in-law, James Kostelis, who are hopeful to fulfill their dream of a growing family! Caitlin and James are already parents to one loving and lively son, Matthew, however they currently face a challenging journey to expand their family while overcoming genetic hurdles.

The Background:

While Caitlin was pregnant with Matthew, she and James discovered that they are both carriers for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, giving them a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with this disorder. While they chesire their beautiful son Matthew, they dream of welcoming another into the family but fear the possibility of passing this life-altering disease onto their children. Therefore, they are faced with the need to seek In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment.

The Treatment:

By seeking IVF and undergoing genetic testing, this offers Caitlin and James the opportunity to select embryos free from the CF gene variant, ensuring a healthier future for their family. As you may know, the path to IVF is both emotionally and financially demanding. The cost of treatment, along with associated medications, genetic testing, and specialized care, is an immense burden that they struggle to bear on their own and with the little resources our family has available.

The Cost:

They have started the process working with the UConn Center for Reproductive Health and have spoken to a financial representative, but insurance may only cover two rounds of IVF, if anything, and can typically take many more. Even if they were granted coverage for these two rounds, they first have to meet a $4,000 out of pocket deductible and a $75 copay per office visit. For additional context, it’s been two weeks as of today (May 16), and they’ve already spent $350 just from consultation appointments. The added genetic testing for CF, which would not be covered by insurance, would cost roughly another $5,000.

Our family kindly asks for your assistance in helping Caitlin and James raise the necessary funds to undergo IVF treatment in order to give Matthew a sibling free from the burdens of cystic fibrosis, creating a future where both children can thrive, uninhibited by the limitations imposed by this condition.

By contributing to this campaign, you become an integral part of their journey towards building a full Kostelis family. Your kindness will directly alleviate the financial strain on their shoulders, allowing them to focus on the emotional and physical aspects of IVF treatment.

Please consider making a donation to this GoFundMe campaign and to share their story with your friends, colleagues, and families. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!