Houston IVF Announces 2010 National Infertility Awareness Week Activities

April 19, 2010 - PRLog -- HOUSTON—April 19, 2010—Houston IVF announced today that its physicians and staff will participate in several activities during National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW), which will be observed this year from April 24th through May 1st. NIAW is a movement sponsored by RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, to raise awareness about the disease of infertility, which affects 7.3 million Americans.

Houston IVF doctors will provide complimentary infertility consultations during the week of NIAW to individuals and couples referred by any OB-GYN, oncologist, or family practice doctor from the greater Houston area, schedules permitting. “The main objectives are to increase awareness of the vast range of infertility treatments and for couples to know that there is help available to them,” says Dr. Timothy Hickman, founder of Houston IVF. “This is a good opportunity to help doctors assist their patients who may be having trouble starting a family.” Nationally, consultations with fertility specialists can cost as much as $500. New patients will also receive a complimentary copy of the new book ‘If At First You Don’t Conceive,’ authored by Houston IVF Scientific Director Dr. William Schoolcraft during the week.

The staff and patients of Houston IVF will cap the week by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk on Saturday, May 1st at the University of Houston Cullen/Wheeler Park. “This is a great cause. Houston IVF is a partner of Fertile Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility, so we are really excited to participate,” notes Dr. Laurie McKenzie, Medical Director at Houston IVF. McKenzie notes that Houston IVF is currently assisting women diagnosed with cancer freeze their eggs, a process technically known as oocyte cryopreservation.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of National Infertility Awareness Week, during which fertility specialists, holistic fertility consultants, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and other wellness specialists from around the country set aside one week each year to bring this issue greater visibility with the general public and with their legislators. By spotlighting infertility, more resources will emerge to help couples, companies, and legislators become aware of, and finance, new techniques, approaches and treatments.

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About Houston IVF Founded in 2001 by Dr. Timothy Hickman & Dr. William Schoolcraft, Houston IVF is one of the nation’s leading infertility treatment centers, providing a broad range of infertility treatments ranging from basic infertility care to the most advanced In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technology. Led by Dr. Hickman and Dr. Laurie McKenzie, Houston IVF achieves live birth rates significantly higher than the national average across all age groups. For more information visit our website www.houstonivf.net or call 713-465-1211.