National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is fast approaching. As is typically the case, it is scheduled for the last full week of April and is always scheduled to occur before Mother’s Day. This year, NIAW is April 20 through April 26…
National Infertility Awareness Week was started in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association with several goals in mind:
- To raise overall awareness about infertility
- To inspire grassroots advocacy
- To help couples with infertility find ways to work through their disease
The RESOLVE Mission
Throughout the year, and especially during National Infertility Awareness Week, RESOLVE works with the community, the media, and corporate partners to increase public awareness and understanding that infertility is a disease that needs more support and attention. They also work to educate federal and state legislators about how infertility impacts the people they represent.
Each year during this special week, those with infertility are encouraged to “come out” to their friends and families, if they wish, and they are encouraged to do so without feeling ashamed. RESOLVE hosts a variety of different activities, both on and offline, for anyone who wants to participate. Most activities are designed to focus on advocacy and public awareness; activities may include blogging challenges and awareness walks.
Resolve To Know More
This year’s NIAW theme is “Resolve To Know More.” With this theme, RESOLVE is urging the infertility community to share important information related to infertility with others. This brilliant theme makes it easy to share so many different topics with friends, family, co-workers, and the general public. Possible “Resolve To Know More” topics to share might include:
- Resolve To Know More About Infertility
- Resolve To Know More About How To Be An Effective Infertility Advocate
- Resolve To Know More About When To See A Reproductive Specialist
- Resolve To Know More About Current Fertility Treatment Options
- Resolve To Know More About Other Family Building Options
- Resolve To Know More About Adoption
- Resolve To Know More About How To Support Others Experiencing Infertility
How to Get Involved
There are many ways that you can help educate others in your sphere of influence during this inspirational week. If you have started your own family building journey, inspire others with your own personal story or offer support to those who are beginning their own infertility journey. Be sure to take the time to talk with those you care about and ask them to share the message as well.
If you are wondering how or where to start sharing information about infertility, consider using a variety of social media tools. It is certainly not necessary to share every little detail of your infertility journey, however you can share what’s really important to you. You might consider the following social media ideas:
- Post facts about infertility or family building via Twitter or Facebook every day during NIAW. You can find facts to share on the RESOLVE website.
- Post infertility etiquette tips for friends and family. Helpful tips can be found on the RESOLVE website as well.
- Review and share RESOLVE Advocacy events and dates via social media. Let others know how and when you plan to participate in the infertility advocacy movement. Encourage others (via social media) to participate with you.
- Follow RESOLVE by becoming a RESOLVE Facebook fan or by following RESOLVE via Twitter. During National Infertility Awareness Week, be sure to repost or retweet any information that RESOLVE posts.
- Share your infertility advocacy story on Facebook or Twitter.
- Share infertility awareness information on Pinterest.
- Send messages of support to friends, co-workers, and family members with infertility.
Infertility is a Disease
Infertility is a disease that affects one in eight couples of reproductive age. That means that almost everyone knows at least one friend or family member who is living with infertility. Use your voice to help the general public understand more about infertility. Be a part of the growing infertility movement and help all fertility challenged couples feel empowered to talk freely about their condition and to seek out more support when they need it.
At the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM), one of the leading fertility clinics in Houston and southeast Texas, the staff of highly trained reproductive specialists will work with you, answering your questions and addressing your infertility concerns. Both the doctors and their professional staff believe in educating patients, offering the best care and treatment options available so that patients can make informed decisions on their journey to conceive. The staff at CORM supports National Infertility Awareness Week and the 2014 “Resolve to Know More” campaign. For general information regarding infertility or infertility treatment in the Houston and southeast Texas area, be sure to contact the Center of Reproductive Medicine today.