Have Heart, Share Hope
For more than a decade, Ferring has been providing parents who struggled with infertility the opportunity to win up to $10,000 toward their child’s education by sharing their stories to encourage hope and positivity. Earlier this year, Ferring called for entries from families across the country to share their fertility stories in support of this year’s Heart to Heart Video Contest theme, “Have Heart, Share Hope.”
A panel of judges then selected five finalists, and those five videos were voted on by the online viewing public who selected the eventual grand prize winner. Each of the five finalists received a $4,000 educational grant and the winner received a $10,000 educational grant.
This year, Shady Grove Fertility is thrilled to announce that both the Murphy-Glickman Family as well as Heather and Brandon Behlendorf, former Shady Grove Fertility patients, were selected as finalists in the Ferring Heart to Heart Video Contest.
The Murphy-Glickman’s Journey
Emily Murphy and Adam Glickman were determined to have children despite two failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Given their circumstances, they were advised to consider using a donor but their physician, Dr. Jeanne O’Brien of Shady Grove Fertility’s Rockville, MD, location wanted to try one more cycle. That lucky third cycle changed their lives forever when Dr. O’Brien showed them not one but two heartbeats on an ultrasound. Today, they are the proud parents of twins, a boy and girl.
“It’s important to us to share our infertility experience with others. Too often infertility is something couples face in silence, unaware of how common it really is,” said Emily Murphy. “We want to tell couples who face these kinds of issues, you’re not alone, we did it, and you can too.”
The Behlendorf’s Journey
For Heather and Brandon Behlendorf, after nine failed treatment cycles and 8.5 years of trying, they knew that their 10th would be there last. Fortunately, their persistence and hope that one day their dreams would come true paid off and they welcomed twin boys. As for the contest’s educational grant award, Heather said it will start young Josh and Eli’s college funds. “College is a long way off but we are sure it will arrive faster than we expect!”
Dr. Jeanne O’Brien says the two finalists represent the wide range of patients who receive care at Shady Grove Fertility. “Each couple had unique circumstances that we were able to overcome with treatment and pharmaceuticals from companies like Ferring. Their videos highlight the unique power of hope.”
The Behlendorf’s physician, Dr. David Saffan of Shady Grove Fertility’s Annandale, VA location, commented, “While so many couples struggle with infertility, it sadly remains a topic largely kept in the shadows. I am so proud of our patients and all of the participants and finalists whose videos shine an important light on the power of persistence in overcoming infertility.”
For more information about the Ferring Heart to Heart Video Contest or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our 35 physicians, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or fill out this brief form.
