Rachel & Mike IVF Journey
Donation protected
Choosing to start and have a family is one of the most exciting times in life, but can also be one of the most stressful, scary, and painful when things don't go as planned. Many people don't talk about the challenges that they face.
Rachel and Mike found out in a painful way that they were both carriers for a genetic disease - Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)- which is the number one genetic cause of death for infants, and one without a cure. No one knew that this family history was there, and it set Rachel and Mike on an unimaginable path to fight for their family.
They are so blessed to have their son, Arlo, and he is a beautiful little boy who shines inside and out. They are now going forward with IVF to try and have another baby, and give Arlo the gift and camaraderie of a sibling.
Thankfully many have not had to experience the emotional and financial challenges of going through IVF and genetic testing. The shots, blood tests, follicle counts, growth numbers, procedure dates, number of eggs retrieved...on and on... all while going about your daily normal life. Each action and step is a rollercoaster of emotion hinging on the hope it works, and the fear it won't.
Our hope with this page is to help ease the stress of the financial burden and the unknown from their shoulders, and offer awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Rachel and Mike appreciate your good thoughts, hugs, encouraging words, and of course any donation you are able to consider making.
1 in 50 Americans is a genetic carrier for SMA. If you want to know more about the fight for a cure for SMA, take a look at the link below.
https://www.curesma.org/about-sma/
https://www.mda.org/disease/spinal-muscular-atrophy
Rachel and Mike found out in a painful way that they were both carriers for a genetic disease - Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)- which is the number one genetic cause of death for infants, and one without a cure. No one knew that this family history was there, and it set Rachel and Mike on an unimaginable path to fight for their family.
They are so blessed to have their son, Arlo, and he is a beautiful little boy who shines inside and out. They are now going forward with IVF to try and have another baby, and give Arlo the gift and camaraderie of a sibling.
Thankfully many have not had to experience the emotional and financial challenges of going through IVF and genetic testing. The shots, blood tests, follicle counts, growth numbers, procedure dates, number of eggs retrieved...on and on... all while going about your daily normal life. Each action and step is a rollercoaster of emotion hinging on the hope it works, and the fear it won't.
Our hope with this page is to help ease the stress of the financial burden and the unknown from their shoulders, and offer awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Rachel and Mike appreciate your good thoughts, hugs, encouraging words, and of course any donation you are able to consider making.
1 in 50 Americans is a genetic carrier for SMA. If you want to know more about the fight for a cure for SMA, take a look at the link below.
https://www.curesma.org/about-sma/
https://www.mda.org/disease/spinal-muscular-atrophy
Organizer and beneficiary
Martha Bokemeier
Organizer
Naperville, IL
Rachel Breckle
Beneficiary