Campaign Story

* 15 years ttc through surrogacy & uterus transplant

* 9+ years w/ the Uterus Transplant Study

* 6 years since my egg retrieval, giving us 10 Embryos

* 5 years on the transplant list

Our story…

In 2009, at 27 years old, cervical cancer took my uterus. This is where our 15-year journey to baby Morgan began.
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In 2010, we started the IVF process and began looking for a gestational surrogate. What I learned was that surrogacy is the most complicated, emotionally & financially draining journey imaginable.
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In 2015, we tried surrogacy again and explored adoption with no luck.
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In 2016, we embarked on a larger journey through Uterus Transplant. We couldn’t believe I was 1 of 10 women in the US to be chosen to be part of Cleveland Clinics Study to receive a Uterus Transplant! What felt like a miracle quickly faded when the study was put on hold shortly after my acceptance into their program.
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While the study was placed on hold, we went back to surrogacy after my close friend offered to carry our baby for us! We thought this was it, but just as we got the appointment set for her evaluation, she had to move to Louisiana for personal reasons, and sadly, Louisiana is NOT a surrogacy-friendly state. Once again, our surrogacy journey ended.
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In 2019, the Uterus Transplant Study started back up and brought so much hope into our lives! We went through IVF, made 10 beautiful embryos, and then I was put on the list to receive a uterus. We had attempted 3 dry runs that year with no success before being put on hold again, for the 3rd time, due to COVID.
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When the study reopened again in 2022, we were so hopeful that we would receive “the call” but because Cleveland Clinic only uses deceased donors, it drastically limited our options. We would go 2 years without any acceptable offers.
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Then, in October 2024, we were completely heartbroken when Cleveland’s Uterus Transplant Study blindsided us after 9 years of being with them. I was sitting here, waiting for “the call” because I have been on UNOs (the actual transplant list for a uterus donor) for 5 WHOLE years, and instead, Cleveland called to tell us the study was closing effective immediately. No explanation or warning at all.
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We were destroyed after Cleveland, but we thought we found new hope in UAB when they were excited to give us a new journey with their Uterus Transplant program. UAB told us we were going to Alabama and assured us that there was a place for us. But as quickly as that newfound hope came with UAB, it has faded just as fast.
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Although our Uterus Transplant journey is not completely over, we have once again set our hearts on surrogacy, but we are running out of time and need to move quickly. Will is 44, and I will be 43 this year.
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It is not always easy to ask for help. It can be extremely tough to feel so vulnerable, especially in a situation where you can be so easily broken. But here we are, reaching out and asking you to help us on this new path by donating to our fundraiser. Even $5 would mean the world to us, and if everyone donated, it could help us get one step closer to our dream of having a child together. Please help us complete our family.
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We sincerely appreciate all of your support throughout our journey!