Campaign Story

Ciara & Curtis McCallum graciously request for your support in securing funds to grow their family through IVF.

Ciara and Curtis met in university through a kinesiology conference. Although they lived 1700km apart at the time, the two kept in touch until Curtis packed up everything he owned into the trunk of his car and moved from the Canadian Prairies to the West Coast. The two built a beautiful relationship from their shared love of adventures, snowboarding, good music and [of course] dogs.

Ciara and Curtis have lived together in 3 different provinces, sticking together no matter where life has led them or any challenges thrown their way. After spending the first half of 2021 trying to grow their family on their own, Ciara was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) at the age of 26. With this came the saddling realization that the couple’s window to conceive biological children was fleeting. A time that was supposed to be filled with excitement & hope transformed into a real-life nightmare filled with endless uncertainty and disappointment…

Shortly after they were married, Ciara and Curtis were overjoyed to learn that their prayers had been answered and they were expecting a baby to join their family. For reasons they will never understand, their baby stopped growing and they were left completely heartbroken. The loss of their little one turned their world upside-down and continues to weigh heavily on their hearts. In the time since their loss, they have been pursuing fertility treatment in hopes of conceiving another baby that they have the privilege of bringing them home.

After 6 rounds of medicated cycles and 4 intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles later… they are left with a missing piece of their hearts and an empty nursery. Ciara and Curtis have more questions than answers. This is the reality of Unexplained Infertility. Although DOR and infertility are a reproductive diseases, the treatments for these conditions are not funded in most provinces nor through private insurance providers. The emotional toll of infertility is huge, but the financial burden can be the difference between having a family or not.

The McCallums hope to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF costs approximately $15,000 *out of pocket*. 0% is covered.

This is not a path anyone imagines to find themselves on. Ciara & Curtis dream of having a large family and sharing their love for each other with their children. While fertility treatment is not a guarantee, this is their best shot at being given the gift of parenthood.

Ciara and Curtis thank you for your support in hopes of growing their family.