Updated, 14th of February, 2024
Kelli and Jake took the first step in their fertility journey with EmBIO shortly before Christmas with a virtual consultation via Skype.
The couple were able to ask questions and were provided with information about their treatment plan. Preliminary follicular ultrasounds will be conducted in the couple’s native US. Kelli will start medication shortly before the couple fly to Greece for egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
The treatment date has yet to be confirmed, but Kelli says: “We are looking forward to it!”
Updated, 25th of September, 2023
US couple Kelli and Jake Freeman say they have been given renewed hope after they were chosen to take part in our Fertility Journeys Project.
Kelli, a graphic designer working in healthcare, and Jake, a coordinator for a large steel company, met at their church in South Carolina a few years ago.
Jake, a gifted pianist and singer, oversees music at the church, while Kelli helps with the children’s programmes. The couple quickly fell in love and were married the following year.
Kelli and Jake wanted to start a family, but the couple’s fertility journey has not been what they anticipated.
Kelli said: “Given our good health and relatively young age (we’re both 31), we never thought we’d have such difficulties and no answers.
“After a year of trying with no success, we visited a fertility clinic. We underwent several tests, all of which showed no issues. We even tried a few medicated cycles and IUIs.
“Our fertility issues have changed our lives more than we ever thought it would as it was completely unexpected.
“We have sought advice and answers from reproductive endocrinologists, OBGYNs, and a holistic medicine doctor. I have also tried fertility acupuncture.”
The next step is an IVF cycle, which would have proved costly in the couple’s native US.
Kelli explained: “We would have to pay 100 percent out of pocket since many companies and states do not provide or require fertility coverage, although that is slowly changing in the US. So my husband and I were very excited when we heard we won a free IVF treatment with EmBIO in Greece.
“It was an answer to our prayers, and we couldn’t be more thankful to Fertility Road magazine and EmBIO Greece for this opportunity. It was exactly the hope we needed in our fertility journey.”
