Hundreds of people will gather at Gordon Head Middle School on Sunday to celebrate the one thousand children born in B.C. each year after fertility treatments — and to support the one in six couples who struggle to have children.
Proceeds from the barbecue and silent auction will support cancer patients who have been left infertile because of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, said organizers.
The sixth annual Conceive the Dream Victoria rally recognizes the work being done to convince the B.C. government to recognize the medical condition of infertility by providing public funding for in vitro fertilization.
Dr. Stephen Hudson, medical director for the Victoria Fertility Centre, will speak to why public funding for infertility treatments, mostly through IVF, can lead to better health outcomes for mothers and babies, and save the provincial health system money.
B.C. does not cover in vitro fertilizations though the province’s Medical Services Plan does cover minor fertility treatments and some diagnostic tests. In 2010, Quebec became the first province in Canada to fund IVF.
People attending the event include hundreds of couples who had children after having IVF treatment, couples undergoing treatments and those who support those who need treatment or can’t afford the costly treatment.
Each IVF treatment — a procedure that’s not guaranteed to work — ranges from $5,800 to $8,000, plus medication costs.
The picnic takes place on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Gordon Head Middle School, 1671 Kenmore Rd., Victoria.
