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miriamshope

A Voice For Infertility Awareness

My Video

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My Story

My name is Keiko Zoll and I'd like to tell you a story about two kids in love.

We met in high school, fell in love and dated through college. We moved in together, making ends meet as I worked full time while he went to grad school. Finally, after 9 years together, I married my high school sweetheart and soulmate. Of course we’d have children together, we told ourselves. Just months after our first wedding anniversary, I received news that would change my life – our lives – from that moment on.

I was diagnosed in March 2009 with premature ovarian failure (now referred to as primary ovarian insufficiency). At only age 26, I learned that I would never be able to conceive my own genetic children. With FSH levels through the roof (63), my doctors informed me that the only way my husband and I could build our family was through the use of donor eggs with IVF or through adoption. It was a crushing diagnosis at a time when we weren’t even actively trying to conceive. We felt robbed.

In the months following, I channeled my emotions: the anger, the grief, the sorrow – into blogging about my experience with infertility at http://www.hannahweptsarahlaughed.com. I learned that I was not alone, that infertility affects as many as 7.3 million people in the United States, about 1 out of every 8 couples. I found a deeply engaged and supportive community of infertility bloggers and became a stronger woman through writing and sharing my infertility story with others.

In 2010, I created this short film, “What IF: A Portrait of Infertility” as a way to raise awareness for what is truly a growing global public health crisis. The film became a viral sensation and went on to garner the Hope Award for Best Viral Video from RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, and the Grand Prize from Wellsphere.com’s This Is Me video contest. It was through this film and its widespread enthusiastic reception from the infertility community that inspired me to become an infertility advocate.

In April, I went head-to-head with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals when they sought to exploit the infertility community for their own publicity stunt. They created a campaign to give away a free vasectomy “in honor of” National Infertility Awareness Week. Through a vigorous open letter campaign on my blog and Change.org petition that gathered over 2,000 signatures in just 3 days, the animal-rights organization finally removed the link between their campaign and NIAW. It was a tremendous victory for the infertility community, of one that I am proud to have been a catalyst.

Whether it’s taking on a private organization’s publicity stunt or meeting with my Senators on Capitol Hill to advocate for the Family Act, a recently introduced bill that would provide a tax credit for out-of-pocket costs associated with infertility, health advocacy for infertility awareness has become my passion and focus. I give myself completely to this community as infertility is so often laden with shame and silence.

I’ve become a health advocate for infertility because advocacy has given me a sense of control over what I felt was lost the day I was diagnosed. The cultural silencing of the infertility community must end. The time for equal access to care is long overdue. The time has come for infertility to be recognized as disease and for our patient experience to be validated by the media, our legislators, and in the cultural dialogue surrounding parenthood and families.

I ask you to join me in my fight to advocate for infertility awareness, to be one of a million voices calling for change.

Comments and Support Messages

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miriamshope

A Voice For Infertility Awareness

My Video

My Story

Comments and Support Messages

Julie

May 25th 2011, 8:57 am

Keiko is so inspiring. She is accomplishing great things in and for the infertility community.

Gail

May 25th 2011, 9:10 am

Amanda

May 25th 2011, 9:27 am

You are one kick-butt woman... ;-)

Lori

May 25th 2011, 10:36 am

You rock, Keiko!

Aramelle

May 25th 2011, 11:02 am

Keiko is an amazing woman and true inspiration to all in the IF community!

Rebecca

May 25th 2011, 11:55 am

Keiko is my IF advocate idol. Shes doing amazing things for the IF community.

Sonja

May 25th 2011, 1:18 pm

Keiko is such a strong, remarkable woman who has used her pain and suffering as a springboard to connect with other women who are infertile and not only supports them, but also advocates for them. She is amazing!

Julie

May 25th 2011, 1:27 pm

I

Esperanza

May 25th 2011, 2:08 pm

Keiko Zoll is an amazing woman and I'm honored that she speaks for all of us who cannot yet stand up and say something. Thank you Keiko.

Maria

May 25th 2011, 7:17 pm

God Bless you. Keiko!

Maria

May 25th 2011, 7:18 pm

God Bless you Keiko.

Aida

May 30th 2011, 7:00 pm

Keiko is an amazing and inspiring individual! Much love and luck!!

kim

May 31st 2011, 9:49 pm

Keiko is such a strong woman. I admire and respect her so much.

Kelli

Jun 1st 2011, 1:10 pm

Keiko is doing amazing things for our community-a community that is huge and yet oftentimes hidden in silence. Thank you!!

Heather

Jun 3rd 2011, 5:07 pm

This video is brilliant. Thank you for putting yourself out there.

Raine

Jun 3rd 2011, 6:57 pm

Very inspiring

Tamara

Jun 8th 2011, 7:13 pm

So inspired by and thankful for Keiko and her passion for the IF community. She is an asset to those of us living with IF and as an Infertile woman I am so grateful for her constant encouragement and contribution.

Melissa

Jun 8th 2011, 9:11 pm

Keiko is an amazing health advocate and does so much for the infertility community.

Jennifer

Jun 8th 2011, 11:09 pm

Keiko made waves with her video (which still makes me sob) and could have stopped there, but she has continued rocking the boat and sending out wave after wave to keep infertility awareness strong and moving forward. She is passionate. She is real. She is an inspiring voice in this ugly battle.

Nik

Jun 9th 2011, 1:54 am

Keiko... I saw your film last year and loved it! Good luck, love!

Brenda

Jun 9th 2011, 12:50 pm

You go Keiko!

Nancy

Jun 10th 2011, 11:39 am

Keiko, You have my support! Count me in! ((hugs))

Ami

Jun 10th 2011, 11:44 am

anu

Jun 10th 2011, 12:40 pm

in solidarity

Sabrina

Jun 10th 2011, 1:17 pm