Hey Lovelies,
Last Thursday marked the start of Canadian Infertility Awareness Week (CIAW). Not unlike the awareness week that just happened in the states, this is when we, in the Great White North, turn our thoughts to all matters infertility. And boy do we ever get the attention we deserve! There are parties with free Clomid as favours. Raffles for free flights across the country to take you to the most cutting edge treatment for your particular diagnosis. And, of course, free rounds of IVF for everyone!
Wait… that’s not what it’s like? No, it’s not. And, of course, I’m being tongue in cheek but maybe it should be more like that. The theme for this years CIAW- as put forward by IAAC– is “Because it’s time.” And damn it, it IS time! It’s time to start talking openly about infertility. It’s time for our universal health care system to start covering treatment. It’s time for the 1 in 6 Canadians that are afflicted with these diseases to matter, to no longer be silenced.
This week I will be publishing a blog piece about what “Because it’s time” means to me right here on Thursday. And I will also be publishing a more politically minded piece through Fertility Matters– the patient advocacy blog affiliated with IAAC- on Thursday as well. I hope you’ll join me here and over on Fertility Matters to look more deeply into this topic.
XOXXO,
The Chicken
Preach sister! I absolutely agree. I love how you can be so open about it. I am still not ready to share with my circle and start speaking openly about it. But maybe someday soon, I have been starting to think about it more and more. That is the problem I guess. I absolutely agree that it is something that should be talked about more openly, and I believe that the more we talk about it we can help push our government to provide more funding for treatment. But I can’t be that voice just yet. Until I am ready though, I shall live vicariously through you! Thank you for speaking up!
Now if only infertility parties and and IVF raffles could be the norm!
IF Pom,
I’m glad you agree! It’s totally ok to not be ready to go public, it’s not an easy thing to do! It’s enough that you are raising awareness through your blog. Stay tuned tomorrow for other ways you can help without having to “out” yourself.
XOXXO, The Chicken
I was actually the one who came up with the slogan. Just a bit proud of that. 🙂
Mandy,
EEEK! I know!! I wasn’t sure to give you props or not or if it was public knowledge. It is SUUUUUCH a great theme Mandy! you just wait till those posts on Thursday!
XOXXO, The Chicken
^_^
It’s weird that our two awareness weeks don’t align since they’re so close in proximity! Good thoughts for the week and the theme!
Mel,
It is weird and it isn’t. We are separate countries with separate issues around infertility. I think maybe it’s good that they are separate. Although certainly if we were to do it at the same time we might get a bit more traction and attention due to the increase in numbers.
XOXXO, The Chicken
K, question (and you probably know what it is lol): What type of support, resources and recognition is there for those who end up childless after infertility in Canada?
The reason I ask is that what Resolve does is a joke in the states and was curious if it was different in Canada. Appreciate any feedback.
Good luck tomorrow.