It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (April 20-26), and we couldn’t be more excited to announce the recipients of the Alto 10th Anniversary Fertility Medication Grant: Gina and Evan, who will use the grant toward their IVF journey, and Keatrice, who will use her grant for egg freezing.
In February, we announced that Alto had partnered with Baby Quest Foundation to launch the Alto 10th Anniversary Fertility Medication Grant and provide $10,000 in fertility medication grants to help those facing financial barriers to family-building. Baby Quest is a 501(c)3 organization that provides financial assistance through fertility grants for procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), gestational surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, and embryo donation. To-date, it has provided more than $3.25 million in funds to more than 250 grant recipients.
After a thorough review of applicants, Baby Quest identified Gina and Evan, and Keatrice, as the recipients of the Alto grants, which can be applied toward fertility medications at Alto.
Indiana natives Evan and Gina first met in their high school drivers ed course and remained good friends until they began dating in college. Shortly after graduation, Evan was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery and nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy. After he successfully went into remission, the two moved in together, adopted a dog, and got engaged, but just months before their wedding, Evan was again diagnosed with cancer. After his recovery, the two got married, honeymooned, adopted another dog and grew their careers. Throughout it all, the couple shared a dream of building a family filled with love and hope, and began their first cycle of IVF in December of 2023. They were overjoyed to learn last year that their second embryo transfer took, and that they were expecting. Heartbreakingly, they lost their baby in the second trimester, and as the couple continues their IVF journey, they are sharing their story to give hope to others.
“We want our story to be a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges,” said Gina. “There were so many moments during this journey when giving up felt like the only option, but time and time again we’ve chosen to keep going. Our resilience is what defines this journey, and if our story can give one person or one couple the strength to push forward, then it is worth sharing.”
“In our IVF journey thus far, there haven’t been very many wins,” said Evan. "It's been a test of both Gina and my strength and will, and receiving the Alto Grant is a huge win and positive swing for the two of us as we enter our second egg retrieval and IVF cycle. We are very blessed and grateful to be one of this year's recipients and can not thank Alto Pharmacy and Baby Quest enough for providing us this win.”
Chicago resident Keatrice is set to graduate from Northwestern University with a JD MBA, a distinguished dual degree that few attorneys, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, pursue concurrently. Returning to school after a decade-long career wasn’t a decision she made lightly, and Keatrice looks forward to using her JD and MBA to not only give back to her community but also to advance toward her long-term goal of serving in a C-suite leadership role. As part of her lifelong commitment to giving back, Keatrice is an Underrepresented Student Initiative Fellow at Pritzker School of Law, and engages with students at every stage, from high school onward, to demystify the law school journey. Because she had no direct access to legal professionals growing up, her journey to law school was filled with trial and error. As a Fellow, she is making sure that the next generation doesn’t have to navigate this path alone. As she prepares for a demanding legal career and the responsibility of student loan debt, Keatrice plans to use her grant toward egg freezing, so that she can pursue her dream of motherhood when the time is right.
“For me, egg freezing isn’t just a medical procedure - it’s an investment in the life I’ve fought to build,” said Keatrice. “It allows me to pursue my legal career while preserving the possibility of motherhood when I am truly ready. Just as I planned and sacrificed to create a better future for myself, I want to ensure I can give my future children the best possible start. But right now, every dollar I earn will go toward repaying student loans, launching my career, and securing generational financial stability. The cost of egg freezing is overwhelming, and without assistance, it may not be an option. This grant doesn’t just relieve a financial burden - it gives me peace of mind, knowing I don’t have to choose between my dreams of being a lawyer and a mother.”
Congratulations to Gina, Evan, and Keatrice! We look forward to providing you with Alto’s industry leading care as you pursue your family-building journeys.
