Since 2006, the Gift of Hope IVF grant has given hope to Louisiana couples struggling with infertility.
Hope for building their families through the gift of an IVF cycle and, in some years, maybe an IUI cycle, too. Grant recipients are chosen by an independent committee who assesses their need for IVF or IUI along with income parameters and their personal struggles with infertility. Their journeys will educate you on the emotional roller coaster of an infertility diagnosis and its treatment, and possibly even make you cry. But what we wish most is that these stories of hope about our Gift of Hope grant recipients will inspire you.
Gift of Hope 2024 – Christopher & Andrea: Carrier of cystic fibrosis gene discovers this caused his infertility
Lafayette couple awarded the Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2024
Men who are carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene, even if they are otherwise asymptomatic of the disease, can experience infertility as a result. In these cases, in vitro fertilization coupled with microsurgical sperm extraction can assist in pregnancy. Christopher, from Lafayette, is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene and was awarded the Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2024. READ CHRIS AND ANDREA’S STORY…
Gift of Hope 2024 – Alexia: Single motherhood by choice
Baton Rouge social worker awarded the Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2024
As far back as Alexia can remember, she felt destined to be a mother. Growing up, she observed her mother raise four children with love and ease and assumed her life would work out the same. In college she would find the love of her life and then the fairytale would happen. College turned out to add much value to Alexia’s life, but it did not lead her to “Mr. Right.” READ ALEXIA’S STORY…
Gift of Hope 2023 – Sarah & Daniel: Navigating lean PCOS in the hopes of parenthood
Baton Rouge couple chosen to receive Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2023
Throughout their relationship, Sarah and Daniel have always dreamed of becoming parents, drawing inspiration from their large and loving families. Together, the couple talked often about how many children they would have. While Sarah wanted more, they agreed on two. However, their path to parenthood took an unexpected turn when Sarah was diagnosed with Lean Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2023 – Maci & Alex: Navigating the challenges of fertility with lean PCOS
Lafayette area couple chosen to receive Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2023
Over the past three and a half years, Maci and Alex’s dreams of starting a family has led them on a challenging journey through the world of fertility treatments. It also led the couple to the discovery of Maci’s diagnosis of Lean Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Maci’s struggle to conceive eventually brought them to Fertility Answers, where they embarked on a path to find answers and hope. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2022 – Brooke & Michael: Couple struggling with unexplained infertility hopes IVF grant is the chance they need to build a family
Lafayette area couple chosen to receive Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2022
“If I could order them like hamburgers, we would have ordered a dozen.” These are the famous words Brooke heard her father say her whole life. Brooke grew up as an only child for 14 years. When the inevitable question of when her parents would have more children was asked, her father would always deliver this line with a smile on his face. At the time, Brooke didn’t fully understand how painful this question must have been for her parents. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2021 – Meagan & Christopher: Couple discovers male infertility is the reason they cannot conceive
Alexandria area couple chosen to receive Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2021
Meagan has always been strong in her faith. So when she and her husband Christopher decided to stop fertility treatments in December of 2020, she knew God was leading her down this path for a reason. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2021 – Amber & Laura: As a same-sex couple, they knew getting pregnant would need help from a fertility clinic
Lafayette area couple chosen to receive Gift of Hope IUI Grant 2021
After being together for eight years and married since 2018, Amber and Laura had finally decided to start their family. Being a same-sex couple, they knew getting pregnant was not going to be conventional. They would need help from a fertility clinic to make it happen. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2020 – Heather & Tyler: Couple endures many doctors, numerous treatments and countless negative pregnancy tests on their quest for a family
Lafayette couple chosen for Gift of Hope IVF Grant
From the beginning of their relationship, Heather and Tyler, both now in their early thirties, knew there was one thing their future held – a family. “Two, three, maybe four kids,” recalls Heather. “We dreamed of all the things: their names, who they might look like, what schools we would send them to.” READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2019 – Vanessa & Chandler: Couple who are carriers of fatal genetic disease chosen as Gift of Hope IVF Grant 2019 recipients
Plaquemine couple chosen for Gift of Hope IVF Grant
Vanessa and Chandler designed their lives around the children they would one day have. They would buy a home, then start their family and live happily ever after. Not long after they married, they bought their home and the two blue lines on their pregnancy test revealed that they were also pregnant. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2018 – Sara & Scott: Unexplained infertility has couple searching for answers
Rayne couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF Grant
Both now in their thirties, Sara and Scott’s love story began in high school during a driver’s ed class when they realized they had an incredible connection. What began as a friendship blossomed into a beautiful marriage that is now going on fifteen years. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2017 – Jordan & Daniel: Male fertility issues complicate couple’s efforts to have a baby
Sulphur couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
As a girl growing up, Jordan played two things: house and school. For hours at a time, she could be found comforting babies, cooking supper, and balancing the tough job of being a teacher to a class full of Beanie Babies. In her mind, she could do all three tasks at once. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2017 – Kaitlyn & Jared: A second chance after cancer, family tragedy and natural disaster
Baton Rouge couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
At 21 years old, Jared Guzzardo faced the biggest challenge of his life. After being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, tests revealed a softball-sized tumor inside his chest and he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Months of chemotherapy and radiation followed, but proactive steps initiated by Jared’s mom ensured the future of his children: she arranged for Jared to freeze his sperm prior to his treatments. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2017 – Rachel & Matthew: High school sweethearts coping with male infertility ready to welcome a baby
Baton Rouge couple awarded Gift of Hope IUI grant
Rachel and Matthew’s story begins in the halls of Zachary High School in 1999. High school sweethearts, the couple married in 2005 and started thinking about having a family. They tried to conceive on their own for a few years and in 2008 decided it was time to consult with an expert and made an appointment with her OB-Gyn. He gave them clear guidelines how to increase their chances of conceiving and using over-the-counter ovulation kits. With their new-found knowledge they tried a little longer on their own, but after a year of no success they knew they needed to explore their issues further. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2016 – Jenean & Kirk: Male and female fertility issues compound couple’s chances of having a child
Lake Charles couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
As a Lake Charles patrol officer and member of the SWAT team, Kirk Dugas is trained to anticipate all kinds and manner of situations and threats. Though his job is not as glamorous as film and television often portray it, at times it can be quite challenging. On any given day he needs to be ready physically and mentally to deal with accidents, injuries, abuse, crime and sometimes death. Interacting with victims of crime and families of lost or injured loved ones is difficult and painful, but it’s perhaps the most important part of his job. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2016 – Margo & John: Hopeful parents struggling with severe endometriosis wins chance to build family
Baton Rouge couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
When Margo Kitto was 5 years old, she packed her bags and walked out the door of her parents’ house. Confidently, she told her mom she was moving out and starting a family. Her mom giggled, turned her around in the direction of home and told her, “Be patient, you will get there.”
READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2015 – Jamie & Shedran: Ectopic pregnancies and recurrent loss become roadblocks for couple wanting a child
Geismar couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
“If you don’t cry, I won’t cry,” is the voice Jamie Reese hears over and over again as she remembers the recurring pregnancy losses she has endured over the last seven years. It is the voice of her husband, Shedran, as he has tried to console Jamie and himself after each pregnancy came to an end. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2014 – Jennifer & Matt: Years of infertility leave Louisiana couple yearning for a child
Thibodaux couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
When her mother-in-law, Sandra, suddenly died in January 2013, Jennifer Gaubert lost not only her husband’s mother, but her biggest supporter, the one woman whose love and prayers meant so much to her during her and husband Matthew’s years-long journey with infertility. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2013 – Michelle & Chad: Male factor infertility proves an obstacle to family building
Breaux Bridge couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
Michelle and Chad Taylor have had their fair share of disappointment throughout their journey with infertility. Years of doctors’ appointments, testing, treatment, finally pregnancy and then miscarriage, and then additional testing and treatment leading only to more frustration and disappointment. All heart-breaking and crushing and incredibly expensive. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2012 – Shawna & Colby: Unexplained infertility frustrates couple wishing to have a family
Carencro couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
For Shawna and Colby, having no explanation for their inability to conceive a child is incredibly frustrating and devastating. After every failed IUI, Shawna would ask herself, “Are we horrible people that don’t deserve a child?” The cost of infertility treatments has been financially draining, and the price of IVF, their next step in their infertility care and the one that offers the best chance for her to conceive, is a procedure not covered by the couple’s health insurance. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2012 – Amber & Ryan: Male and female infertility complicate couple’s efforts to have a baby
Patterson couple awarded Gift of Hope IUI grant
Amber and Ryan’s story begins in 2007. Newly married, the couple was intent on starting a family they both dreamed of since they were young. After trying for almost a year to get pregnant, Amber finally got a positive pregnancy test. They were ecstatic and immediately headed out to tell family, friends and soon enough the whole world. They thought of nothing else but what their baby would look like and how it would feel to hold him or her in their arms. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2011 – Jill & Michael: Soldier and his wife struggling with PCOS find hope
Fort Polk couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
May 2011 – Jill and Michael Crommelin never thought that starting a family would turn into such a rollercoaster of a ride. Jill was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS for short, back in 2006 around the time she and Michael got married. To be parents and to grow as a family was their goal as a newly married couple. Both Jill, a 5th grade teacher at Pine Wood Elementary School in DeRidder, and Michael, a soldier in the Army stationed at Fort Polk, LA, come from close-knit families and they could not wait to add more love to the mix. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2010 – Robin & Dion: Award sheds light on endometriosis-related infertility
Ville Platte couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
Having a family has always been a dream of the Carter’s, who both come from close-knit families. Dion is one of six children from the Bayou Chicot area, while Robin is extremely close to her mother and sister who live in Opelousas. Mother’s Day, Robin says, is always an emotional time for her, especially when she is at church with her mother and sister, who also suffers from endometriosis. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2010 – Faith & Joshua: Unexplained infertility leads them to Gift of Hope
Lafayette couple awarded Gift of Hope IUI grant
Joshua and Faith Garbett had no idea it would be such a challenge to have a child. The couple dated for 10 years before getting married. After years of being friends, their friendship blossomed into a more serious relationship. Both in their 30s and a first marriage for both, they immediately began to try for a baby, thinking it would take only a few months to get pregnant. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2009 – Jesse & Shane: Childhood cancer reason for infertility
Lafayette couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
At the age of 5, Shane Cayce was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphona and was treated with chemotherapy and radiation after the tumor in his colon was surgically removed. At the time, his parents were told that long-term side effects to the drugs administered to Shane were unknown, but sterility and organ damage were high on the list. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2009 – Michele & Kip: Ectopic pregnancies leave little hope for pregnancy
Kaplan couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
Michele Trahan, who works for the Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court, and her husband Kip, an offshore dispatcher, were ecstatic upon hearing the news that they had been selected as one of the Gift of Hope IVF grant 2009 couples. The Trahans have been trying to start their family for over five years but after three ectopic pregnancies and one miscarriage, Michele was left with only one fallopian tube and little hope for getting pregnant without advanced fertility treatments. After trying several fertility treatments and a surgery without success, the Trahan’s were advised that in vitro fertilization would be their only chance of conception, a procedure their health insurance does not cover. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2008 – Rachel & Tony: Male infertility overcome through the Gift of Hope
Lake Charles couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
For Rachel Bourque, having a child of her own has always been her goal in life. She went in to teaching as a career just to be close to the children she loves. Rachel also runs the children’s service each Sunday at Water’s Edge Church where her husband Tony is the senior pastor. “But my lifelong dream has always been to be a stay-at-home mom,” said Rachel. “Tony knows that I will live off of bread and peanut butter to stay home with my kids if I ever get the chance to be a mom.” READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2007 – Beth & Eric: The wonders of science lead to the miracle of birth
Rayne couple awarded the Gift of Hope IVF grant
Beth McCleery, a 5th grade school teacher, knew something was wrong fairly soon after getting married. She and her husband, Eric, a software trainer, had begun trying to conceive right away after their 2004 wedding. But by the end of 2005, they were still waiting. Not an inordinately long time for relatively young newlyweds. It was more an instinct than anything else that told Beth that there might be another reason they were still waiting for a child of their own. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2007 – Bridgette & Ryan: History of testicular cancer leaves couple infertile
Breaux Bridge couple awarded Gift of Hope IVF grant
Bridgette and Ryan knew from the start that they would never have kids the “regular way.” At the age of 15, Ryan was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Seeking treatment at MD Anderson, they also found spots near his lungs, in his abdomen and lymph nodes and chemotherapy was needed. The doctors explained that he would probably be sterile after treatment, but technology was available that could freeze his sperm for 5 years. As a 15-year-old, Ryan was overwhelmed with the news of his cancer and was just focused on getting better. He thought that there would be no way that he would be having children by the age of 20, so opted not to have his sperm frozen. READ MORE…
Gift of Hope 2006 – Laura & Terry: A Lafayette doctor and his wife create the perfect gift for couples with infertility
Lafayette couple awarded first Gift of Hope IVF grant
On Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 6:46 p.m., weighing seven pounds two ounces, Hope Elizabeth Hughes was born at Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette. Hope’s mother, Laura Hughes, chose natural childbirth and was in labor for 23 hours before she and her husband, Terry, finally held their daughter in their arms. While the birth was fairly routine, the couple’s journey to that moment was anything but ordinary. READ MORE…