<div>Hi everyone,
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<div>Thank you for taking the time to read our story. My husband and I are reaching out with open hearts and hopeful spirits as we walk a path filled with love, loss, and unwavering determination — our journey to build a family through IVF.
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<div>Last year, we were blessed to conceive naturally, but our joy was short-lived. We’ve experienced two miscarriages together, and I’ve endured three total. After extensive medical evaluations, we learned that due to my autoimmune conditions and other health complications, continuing to try naturally was no longer a safe or realistic option. As heartbreaking as that realization was, we knew we had to keep going. IVF became our best — and only — hope.
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<div>This process has challenged us in every way — emotionally, physically, and financially. Although some costs are covered by insurance, many essential pieces — including medications, procedures, and genetic testing — are not. Each IVF cycle requires recovery time and bed rest, which means more missed work. And it’s not just the IVF procedures themselves — my chronic medical conditions often flare up during treatment, making it even more difficult to work consistently or return quickly after procedures.
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<div>Because of all this, I’ve had to miss significant time from work. As a part-time nurse, I no longer qualify for FMLA, and the accommodations I do have are unpaid. We’ve essentially become a single-income household, which has added a heavy financial burden during an already stressful time. What hurts most is seeing how much pressure this has placed on my husband. He’s been nothing short of incredible — working hard, staying strong, and supporting me every step of the way. Still, I know he carries the weight of wanting to provide more, and it breaks my heart because he is already doing everything he possibly can. If it weren’t for his strength and love, we wouldn’t have made it this far.
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<div>We are both still relatively young, but navigating struggles that most couples at our age don’t expect to face. While many our age are just beginning to think about having children, we’ve already endured so much loss, uncertainty, and exhaustion. And even though we are clinging to hope and faith, we also have to take into consideration that once we do conceive, I may need to stop working entirely to ensure a healthy pregnancy, God willing.
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<div>As many of you know, I’ve dedicated my life and career to caring for others — especially the tiniest and most fragile lives in the NICU. I’ve spent years helping families bring their babies home safely. Now, I’m hoping to build a family of my own, and I find myself in the incredibly humbling position of needing to ask for help.
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<div>Any amount you are able to contribute will go directly toward IVF costs — including medications, procedures, recovery expenses, and helping us stay afloat as we continue this journey. Even if you’re not able to donate, sharing our story or keeping us in your thoughts and prayers means more than you know.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our village. Your love, kindness, and generosity bring us one step closer to our dream — holding our miracle baby in our arms.
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<div>With love and gratitude,
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<div>Melina &amp; Andres
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<div>Hola a todos,
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<div>Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para leer nuestra historia. Mi esposo y yo les escribimos con el corazón abierto y el espíritu lleno de esperanza mientras recorremos un camino lleno de amor, pérdida y una determinación inquebrantable: nuestra travesía para formar una familia a través de la fecundación in vitro (FIV).
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<div>El año pasado, tuvimos la dicha de concebir de forma natural, pero esa alegría fue breve. Hemos sufrido dos pérdidas juntos, y yo he pasado por tres en total. Después de numerosas evaluaciones médicas, nos informaron que, debido a mis condiciones autoinmunes y otras complicaciones de salud, seguir intentando de forma natural ya no era una opción segura ni realista. Por más dolorosa que fue esa noticia, supimos que teníamos que seguir adelante. La FIV se convirtió en nuestra mejor —y única— esperanza.
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<div>Este proceso nos ha retado en todos los sentidos: emocional, física y económicamente. Aunque algunos costos están cubiertos por el seguro, muchos elementos esenciales —como medicamentos, procedimientos y pruebas genéticas— no lo están. Cada ciclo de FIV requiere tiempo de recuperación y reposo, lo que implica más ausencias laborales. Y no se trata solo de los procedimientos: mis condiciones médicas crónicas suelen agravarse durante el tratamiento, lo que complica aún más mi capacidad de trabajar de manera constante o reincorporarme rápidamente.
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<div>Por todo esto, he tenido que ausentarme significativamente del trabajo. Como soy enfermera a tiempo parcial, ya no califico para el FMLA, y las licencias que tengo son sin paga. Básicamente nos hemos convertido en un hogar con un solo ingreso, lo que ha añadido una carga económica importante en medio de un momento ya difícil. Lo que más me duele es ver cuánto peso ha recaído sobre mi esposo. Ha sido simplemente increíble —trabajando duro, manteniéndose fuerte y apoyándome en todo momento—. Aun así, sé que lleva sobre sus hombros la presión de querer ofrecer más, y me parte el alma porque ya está dando todo de sí. Sin su amor y fortaleza, no habríamos llegado hasta aquí.
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<div>Todavía somos relativamente jóvenes, pero enfrentamos retos que muchas parejas de nuestra edad no esperan vivir. Mientras otros apenas comienzan a pensar en tener hijos, nosotros ya hemos enfrentado muchas pérdidas, incertidumbre y agotamiento. Y aunque nos aferramos a la fe y la esperanza, también tenemos que considerar que, si logramos concebir, es posible que yo tenga que dejar de trabajar completamente para asegurar un embarazo saludable, si Dios lo permite.
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<div>Como muchos saben, he dedicado mi vida y carrera al cuidado de los demás —especialmente de las vidas más pequeñas y frágiles en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (NICU)—. He pasado años ayudando a otras familias a llevar a sus bebés sanos a casa. Ahora, estoy deseando formar mi propia familia, y me encuentro en la posición increíblemente humilde de tener que pedir ayuda.
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<div>Cualquier cantidad que puedan aportar se destinará directamente a cubrir los costos de la FIV —incluyendo medicamentos, procedimientos, gastos de recuperación y apoyo económico mientras seguimos con este proceso—. Incluso si no pueden donar, compartir nuestra historia o tenernos presentes en sus oraciones significa más de lo que imaginan.
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<div>Desde el fondo de nuestros corazones, gracias por ser parte de nuestra aldea. Su amor, amabilidad y generosidad nos acercan un paso más a nuestro sueño: tener en brazos a nuestro bebé milagro.
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<div>Con amor y gratitud,
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<div>Melina y Andrés
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Help Melina & Andres Build Their Family

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Platform is iOS

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Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

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Person ids

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UC Tipping v20250115 International

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Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

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Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

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AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

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Custom users

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Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

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Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

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Survicate

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PYMK has donors

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Help Melina & Andres Build Their Family

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