Partnership for Families Program: philanthropy for in vitro fertilization patients

To describe our Partnership for Families Program, which was established to provide second in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles for couples who pay for one IVF cycle, do not get pregnant and cannot afford a second IVF cycle. In addition, this program provides funding for fertility-sparing procedures for financially needy cancer patients.

Retrospective description of the Partnership for Families' first 5 years of operation.

In its 5 years of operation, the Partnership for Families Program has provided 137 infertile couples with a second IVF cycle, resulting in 68 ongoing or delivered pregnancies. It has also provided funding for 19 fertility-sparing procedures for cancer patients.

Because of the high costs of IVF, alternative funding sources, specifically philanthropy, must be explored to provide increased access to IVF. The Partnership for Families Program, started by patients in a single practice, has in 5 years provided over 151 infertile and cancer patients IVF or egg-freezing cycles that they otherwise could not have afforded. This is a program that can be emulated by other fertility centers.