02 Mar 2018 Path2Parenthood “Illuminations 2018” Honor Inspires Humility, Pride
For the past decade I have been involved as a member, board member, sponsor and active participant in Path2Parenthood (formerly known as the American Fertility Association), a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping people create families. The organization changed its name in 2014 as a way to reach more people searching for a “path to parenthood,” with a name that says exactly what it provides.
Among the many services Path2Parenthood provides, free to the public, are an extensive online video library, a daily blog, a resource directory available for download on mobile devices, telephone and in-person coaching, and a toll-free support line: 888-917-3777.
The work of the organization is funded through private donations, primarily via its annual “Illuminations” fundraising events in New York, NY, the organization’s home base; Los Angeles; and Chicago. I am proud to have played a small role, as a board member and past event co-chair, in the tremendous growth and success of these events.
Given my tremendous admiration for this impactful organization, I am particularly humbled and overwhelmed to announce that I have been selected, along with my colleague and friend Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, to be recognized at Illuminations 2018 on May 11 in Beverly Hills.
I am honored to stand alongside Dr. Aimee, a gifted and highly regarded fertility doctor whose stellar success rate in creating healthy babies has earned her the nickname “the Egg Whisperer”; her “Egg Freezing Parties” and charismatic media presence have done wonders to raise the visibility of and encourage public acceptance of assisted reproduction technologies. I am humbled to be included with the likes of past honorees such as musician and father via ART Sir Elton John; actress, author and adoption advocate Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”); reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Alan S. Penzias, M.D.; embryologist Dr. David Hill; businesswoman and philanthropist Jeanne K. Pritzker; world-renowned reproductive specialist Dr. Owen K. Davis, M.D.; and actors Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffud, who shared the story of their difficult path to parenthood to help women understand that even the miracle of ART may not prevail over the biological limitations that come with aging, to name just a few.
As a gay dad of twin boys via egg donation and surrogacy, my husband Tommy Woelfel and I have been especially gratified and inspired to see Path2Parenthood continually evolve to reflect values of equality and inclusion. Founded in 1999 to help couples struggling with infertility understand their options, the organization today serves all those seeking to be parents, including those suffering with infertility, single intended parents, HIV+ intended parents, LGBT intended parents, military service members and individuals with disabilities. I could not be more proud.
