#Fighting4Fertility

There are 3.5 million people in the UK facing fertility issues, and our aim is to make sure everyone on a fertility journey, whatever the stage they’re at, has the support and information they need.

Join us, amplify our voice and let’s together:

  • Change perceptions
  • Signpost support
  • And do some fundraising

HOW YOU CAN HELP

National Fertility Awareness Week 31 Oct – 4 Nov 2022 is your week.

That’s why, during the week, we’d like you to tell us and the world

• How you are feeling
• What you are experiencing
• Or what needs to change to improve your situation

 

The challenge is to do it in 5 words

#FertilityIn5

Download our #FertilityIn5 visuals here
Then tweet or post on social media your #FertilityIn5 words
And don’t forget to tag us in the post & use the hashtag #FertilityIn5

Get ready: it all begins on Monday 31 October 2022.

WHAT’S ON DURING THE WEEK

Monday 31 October #FertilityFairness

Infertility is a recognised disease, yet the majority of UK fertility patients are forced to pay for medical treatment because access to NHS-funded fertility treatment is unfairly rationed. Only Scotland offers the recommended 3 full IVF cycles. Read our new survey on the state of the sector, join our free online webinar with leading experts, and tell us what needs to change and how you are affected. Register for Monday’s webinar here.

Tuesday 1 November #FertilityInTheWorkplace

Shockingly, fertility treatment is not recognised by the majority of employers as necessary medical treatment and there is no legal right to time off work for fertility appointments. We are calling for employers to recognise fertility treatment as a clinical necessity and to provide appropriate medical leave. Join our free online webinar and tell us how you have been, or are, affected. Let’s make change happen. Register for Tuesday’s webinar here.

Wednesday 2 November #HIMfertility

Male factor fertility problems are the most common reason for a couple to seek fertility treatment, yet far too often men’s fertility is not tested in the first stages of a couple seeking medical help, leading to unnecessary delays and distress. We are calling for men’s fertility to be tested in a timely manner at the same time as a woman’s fertility is explored. Join us for a free online seminar assessing what needs to change and highlighting men’s experiences. Register for Wednesday’s webinar here.

Thursday 3 November #FertilityEd

Fertility education is now part of the secondary school curriculum but what is taught is still too limited. We are calling for comprehensive fertility education for teenagers and young adults, so they understand fertility isn’t a guarantee, how age and lifestyle impact fertility, and appreciate the limits of fertility treatments, including IVF and egg freezing. Join us for a free online webinar asking what needs to be included in high school fertility ed and hearing how a lack of fertility knowledge impacts lives. Register for Thursday’s webinar here. 

Friday 4 November #TalkFertility

Infertility can be a lonely experience: too many people struggle in silence when talking about what you are facing can make a big difference. We signpost the help that is available, including our regional and specialty online groups and highlight your experiences. Hearing how others have coped with their fertility journey can be extraordinarily helpful. Register for Friday’s webinar here. 

GET INVOLVED DURING THE WEEK

We want to hear from you. Your voices are so important in raising awareness of what fertility struggles are like. If you are happy to share your story during the week, anonymously or not, please contact our communications manager, Catherine, with brief details of your situation and how best to contact you. Email Catherine at media@fertilitynetworkuk.org

Please tweet and post on social media during the week, use the hashtags #Fighting4Fertility #NFAW and the relevant daily hashtags.

You can download visuals for social media here.

HELP US FuNDRAISE

Get #Fit4Fertility with us during September and October 2022.

Fertility Network wants to support patients by encouraging them to make healthy lifestyle choices, including increasing their fitness to support them physically and emotionally on their fertility journey.

We need the support of clinics to do this, and we are challenging every UK clinic to get the most people signed up to #Fit4Fertility. Choose your sport – walk, run, cycle or swim – and commit to do the distance – 1K or 5K – and the frequency that suits you – daily or weekly.

This challenge can be started anytime however the clinic winners will be decided on 28th October 2022.

Contact sharon@fertilitynetworkuk.org for more info.

HOLD A FERTILI-TEA AND FUNDRAISE FOR US

Brew like you’ve never brewed before. Everything seems better after a cup of tea, so we’re asking patients, the public and fertility clinics to host a Fertili-Tea, selling tea and maybe fertility-themed cakes to friends, family and colleagues. Contact sharon@fertilitynetworkuk.org for more info.