Written by Kate Palm
Program Coordinator, ConceiveAbilities

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, the field of family building can feel like a cross-country marathon. Autumn is a time of whirlwind conferences, seminars and continuing education opportunities, as well as fundraisers around the nation. In October, ConceiveAbilities was once again an exhibitor at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's annual meeting in Orlando. The conference, which attracts professionals from around the globe, is a chance to reconnect with familiar colleagues while meeting new practitioners and building wonderful relationships.

Later that month, ConceiveAbilities was a proud sponsor for the National Foundation for Fertility Research's (NFFR) first annual Mad Scientist Ball in Denver. NFFR is a publicly-funded, non profit organization determined to fight infertility and to research a cure. We were pleased to support the cause and a team that will not stop until every hopeful parent has a child.

ConceiveAbilities was also in attendance at the American Fertility Association's annual Illuminations Gala in New York City in November, and in December hosted holiday parties for our surrogacy program in both Chicago and Denver.

On Sunday, December 4th, 7 of our Chicago area surrogates, their partners and intended parents gathered for brunch and bocce ball. It was a neat chance to see some of the surrogates with their intended parents - we don't have many opportunities to gather at the same time. Plus, it gave the intended parents time to visit with others who are in different stages of the process. One of the surrogates, nearly 9 months pregnant with twins, was vibrant proof that a long, difficult journey can have a happy ending.

Our Denver group celebrated the season on Thursday, December 8th at an evening soiree downtown, complete with festive (virgin) cocktails. More than a dozen surrogates were able to attend, representing all parts of the process - one anxiously awaiting a match to another entering the second trimester of her second surrogacy journey with ConceiveAbilities. It was also a chance for intended parents to visit with their surrogates and other couples in similar situations. We were thrilled to see people speaking so honestly about their experiences and what brought them to this place - and their excitement about what 2012 will bring to their lives.

ConceiveAbilities wishes the best to our families, friends and colleagues during the holiday season!