Ontario couple on 'long and expensive' IVF journey have renewed hope with financial help

The roadto parenthood hasn't been easy for Paul and Kelly Hamoline.

The London, Ont., couple, both 35, have spent thousands of dollars onin-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments that wereunsuccessful.

Their dream to have a child appearedto come true when Kelly became pregnant through IVF. But earlier this year, their daughter was born prematurely at 23 weeks and died four days later, leaving a gaping hole in their lives and financial barriers to starting the process again.

"It's been a very long and expensive journey, and it takes a lot out of you," said Paul."It takes a toll on your relationship, your mental healthand how you relate to other people."

The Hamolines'financial woes have now been aidedbyaone-time $5,000 grant throughthe Modern Miracle Foundation, a registered charity thatprovides patients across Canada with financial support to overcome infertility.

"We've already used a lot of our savings in this process and we're sort of at a point where we're choosing to build our family over choosing to own a home in the near future at all," said Kelly.

Although the first round of IVF which includesegg retrievals and embryo transfers is covered under the Ontario Fertility Plan(OFP),the wait-list rangesfrom six months totwo years before patients can access that funding. It also doesn't cover the cost of fertility drugs, storing embryosor any genetic testing that people may choose to do.

One in six Canadian couples experiencesinfertility. Astudy published by advocacy group Conceivable Dreamsfound 34 per cent spend more than $30,000 on treatment aloneand may have to do multiple IVF rounds before pregnancy is confirmed.

It all adds up very quickly

WATCH | The Hamolines describe their challenges in becoming parents:

Barriers to fertility and stigmas around IVF

10 months ago

Duration 2:45

Paul and Kelly Hamoline describe their long journey to becoming parents and some of the stigmas they come across when it comes to IVF.

The funding has been nothing short of a miracle for the Hamolines after their premature baby died. Each round of IVF cost thepairabout $9,000, on top of medication of upwardsof $5,000and it all adds up very quickly, said Paul.

"The problem with the way funding is in Ontario is that if don't get any eggs during your funded cycle or they don't generate any embryos, then you've used all your funding and you haven't really gotten anywhere in terms of your fertility journey," said Kelly.

Kelly said she's fortunate her employee benefits cover fertility drugs, and while privateinsurance can fill the funding gaps, it may vary depending on the employer.

The inaccessibility of fertility treatments compounds the existing physical and mental strain on patients, according toDr. Kim Garbedian,a fertility specialist at Pollin Fertility Clinic, a private clinic in Toronto thatoffers financing options and help with tax credits. Pollin isn't involved in the Hamolines' IVF treatments.

"Fertility treatments have a huge emotional and physical impact on patients," Garbedian said. "Some undergo treatments for many years before they achieve pregnancy, and those patients are also accessing other services likemental health supports and other resources.

"There's a huge gap between what funding covers and what patients have to pay out of pocket, so sometimes it means patients don't continue on their fertility journey for financial reasons."

Stigmas around IVF

Another challenge for the Hamolineshas been stigmas around IVF that they believecomefrom misinformation and a lack of research.

"We're always told, 'Why don't you just adopt?' and it's not like we haven't considered it, but that process is equally as long and expensive. You can'tjust sign up on some list and they hand you a kid," said Paul.

"It's those long-held beliefs for the reason why people do IVF and in our experience, it's been something you do when you don't have another choice," added Kelly.

The couplehas secured10 embryos and they plan to transfer the first one at a private clinic in the new year

In addition to the type of funding the Hamolines received, Pollinand Modern Miracle are working together to offer up to 50 grants to Ontario residentswho can't afford care.

The clinic's website says it aimsto provide up to 50 IVF fertility grants of $4,500 each to Pollin patients who qualify.

"The goal is to fund about half of an IVF cycle," Garbediansaid. "It's not solving the problem, but it's definitely helping as many couples get to their goal of having a family and canhelp reduce the wait-list for the rest of Ontario as well."

Applications for the grant openon Jan. 8.