On October 20, 2023, we said a heartbreaking goodbye to our unborn baby girl (who I call "Liv") at Mount Sinai hospital in New York in the incredible care of Dr. Adam Jacobs and his team. In just 18 weeks and 5 days, she became a permanent part of our family. She had Mosaic Down Syndrome, a rare form of the condition, and an unknown quality of life. We fought hard for her – we fought to hold on and fought to let go. This fundraiser is inspired by and in honor of our baby who we will never physically hold, but who is very much alive in our hearts. In lieu of presents this birthday/holiday season, we are paying it forward with donations from us and our friends and family, benefiting The Division of Complex Family Planning at Mount Sinai, to support those who find themselves in the same situation we were in.
In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, 58% of American women of reproductive age now live in states that restrict or prohibit abortion rights. We experienced firsthand how these restrictions add stress to the already complicated and stressful situation of dealing with chromosomal abnormalities, difficult pregnancies, and fetal loss.
Due to the reproductive laws in Florida prohibiting termination of pregnancy after 15 weeks, the circumstances of our situation required us to seek the care we needed out of state. We were lucky enough to have good health insurance and to have found a doctor who is passionate about providing essential reproductive services to support pregnant women in their choices. However, we know that many individuals are not in the position to afford the costly travel and medical expenses for the care they need and deserve. The Division of Complex Family Planning at Mount Sinai established a Care Fund to provide reproductive health care at no cost for women from states that restrict or ban abortion. Our fundraising goal is to cover at least a few women/families in need of financial assistance. A gift of $2,500 covers one patient's comprehensive medical needs.
Your generous gift will also support educating and training the next generation of highly-skilled practitioners, conducting groundbreaking research that advances innovation in reproductive health, and advocating for just and equitable access for all.
Your love and support has carried us through this challenging season and we thank you in advance for participating in our fundraiser by donating or simply sharing this page. Thank you for supporting us, Dr. Adam Jacobs, the Division of Complex Family Planning of Mount Sinai and the many women who will come through their doors in the future.
And thank you for paying tribute to Liv, who has proven that a mother's love does not waiver, a mother's sacrifice is never ending, and her love is never-fading.
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You can learn more about the Division of Complex Family Planning here: https://www.mountsinai.org/care/obgyn/services/family-planning
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Here are the other ways you can advocate for equitable access to family planning services and reproductive health care at local, national, and International levels.
- If you are registered to vote in Florida, sign the petition to put abortion on the ballot: https://floridiansprotectingfreedom.com/petition/
- Become a volunteer for Planned Parenthood in Florida: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/onlineactions/NeIRQKIqSU2pGKomLtDiPg2?sourceid=1006938&_gl=1*1hv78hs*_ga*MTUyNDcwOTk2MC4xNzAyMzQzNTg5*_gid*OTkxNDE1ODc4LjE3MDIzNDM1ODk
- Sign up to join Florida’s Reproductive Rights email list to stay informed: https://progressflorida.actionkit.com/signup/frf-grassroots-signup/
- Educate yourself on reproductive rights in Florida: https://floridareprofreedom.org/2023/12/01/reproductive-rights-news-roundup-december-1st-2023/