Jess, here are a few.....
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.milanfoundation.org/">http://www.milanfoundation.org/</a> They provide DIRECT assistance to those living with CF, family members and so on. Mark and I actually were having a very difficult financial time last winter and it was groceries or heat or rent.... we got a check from them immediately-absolutely wonderful people! And they HELP the families, to me that is what is the most important.
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.esiason.org/cfTreat7.html">http://www.esiason.org/cfTreat7.html</a> They provide scholarships to those with CF to further their education. Mark got a $350 scholarship for 2 semesters that was paid directly to Washington State University for tuition last year. Another charity that DIRECTLY assists those struggling.
Additionally, I'm not sure if this is something you are looking at, but since male infertility CAN be CF related for a majority of Males with CF, I have another website I am going to post.
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=news&id=386">http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=news&id=386</a>
Here's a bit of information.....
---------------------------From INCIID the Heart is a new program established in late April of 2004. It is an "on going" annual program designed to assist infertile couples who are trying to build a family.
The costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other medical treatments for infertility, the fact most insurance companies do not provide coverage for many types of fertility treatments, and the cost of alternatives such as adoption, leaves many suffering from infertility with little hope for realizing their dreams of family. INCIID has collected more than $1.3 Million in donated IVF services and we intend to KEEP collecting services and then give them away to consumers with medical and financial need for IVF.
Nancy Hemenway, INCIID Founder and Executive Director says that "infertility care is sometimes portrayed as ?wealthy couples creating designer babies.? That?s because only about 10% of insurance carriers cover IVF. But nothing could be further from the truth. The From INCIID the Heart program will help eliminate the barrier preventing many couples from having children, bypassing the need for coverage."
There are at least five million infertile couples in the U.S., and of those, approximately two million are unable to conceive without IVF treatment. The majority have no insurance coverage for IVF and its associated medications, which can range in cost between $10,000 and $15,000 per couple.
INCIID has arranged for a number of respected IVF clinics in the U.S. to donate their expertise and state-of-the-art facilities so that patients who do not have the financial resources may have the opportunity to build a family. The program will cover expenses for medication, lab work and ultrasound exams.
Couples earning up to $60,000 a year may be eligible for participation in the program, but the final decisions will take into account cost-of-living in different regions of the country. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent tax returns and paystubs and supply a letter from their doctor recommending them as candidates for IVF. While consideration will be given to those who already have one child, preference will be given to those with no children.
"Our goal," says Hemenway, "is to give those without insurance coverage an opportunity to fulfill their dream of becoming parents.-----------
