Help Kate and Wes with IVF Costs

We’ve been trying to conceive unsuccessfully since 2021. For the last two years we have been trying lower-level fertility interventions, and now we need to move on to IVF.

IVF is EXPENSIVE. Inclusive of procedures, medications, monitoring, and embryo transfer, it will run about $20,000 for one cycle. It is not covered by insurance.

We are still paying down debt incurred as a result of legal struggles with Pax’s mom in 2023 and 2024, and will be for some time. Dealing with that situation forced us to delay beginning IVF, but at this point further delays are an issue. Our fertility doctors say that the time is NOW due to a number of factors—among other things, we have a reasonable chance of success right now, but as we age that chance decreases significantly.

Additionally, Wes just had his FTE cut at his job working with the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice at the UW - a direct result of federal spending cuts at the CDC and NIH. This cut may be temporary, or longer-term, but either way definitely decreases our ability to save money to act on the timeline recommended by our fertility team.

Thanks for considering helping us on our fertility journey! It would mean so much to our family to be able to welcome a very wanted new member. Any amount you feel moved to give is extremely appreciated and valued.

PS: Gofundme takes a small percentage of donations. If you would like to donate directly to us, Kate's Venmo is @kathryn-schmiett, or reach out to us for other options.

PPS: If donations somehow miraculously exceed need, we will donate the excess to organizations that are working to preserve democracy and human rights, so that our hoped-for baby can grow up in a kinder world.