Allyson Whitney Foundation gifts $25,000 for oncofertility services at Golisano Children's Hospital
The Floridant/10283840

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- Allyson Whitney Foundation has gifted $25,000 to Barbara's Friends, the Golisano Children's Hospital cancer fund, to provide fertility preservation services for young adults undergoing cancer treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital.

Through the Oncofertility Young Adult Patient Grant, Allyson Whitney Foundation impacts the lives of young adults with cancer by ensuring those at risk of losing their fertility due to treatment can preserve their ability to start a family in the future. This initiative's message is, "Save a Life, Give a Life".

With treatment through IVFMD, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg retrieval is offered to female patients, including five years of egg storage. Male patients receive support for sperm retrieval and five years of sperm storage. These oncofertility services are crucial for young patients who hope to maintain fertility options while receiving treatment for their cancer diagnosis.

This partnership with Allyson Whitney Foundation enables Golisano Children's Hospital to continue assisting current and future patients. In 2022 and 2023, Barbara's Friends supported eight patients with fertility preservation services. In 2024, that number nearly doubled, with seven patients receiving assistance and more to come.

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"We are proud to be able to give this gift to Golisano. We understand the urgency for young adult patients receiving treatment to preserve their ability to form a family and look forward to their future after treatment," said Barbara Strong, founder and COO of Allyson Whitney Foundation. "Lee Health Foundation and Barbara's Friends are natural partners and recipients of our work. We hope this grant will make an impact in their ongoing efforts to treat patients."

As most insurance providers do not cover fertility preservation, the financial burden of these services is significant. The generosity from donors, such as Allyson Whitney Foundation, is crucial in ensuring patients have access to fertility preservation.

"We are deeply grateful to the Allyson Whitney Foundation for recognizing the significant challenge our young cancer patients face with fertility preservation," said Dr. Emad Salman, chief physician and operations executive at Golisano Children's Hospital. "This generous gift enhances our care and gives our patients hope for a future where they can build a family."

Lee Health Foundation's Barbara's Friends has a long history of supporting pediatric cancer care at Golisano Children's Hospital, and this partnership with Allyson Whitney Foundation marks another significant milestone.

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For more information about supporting Barbara's Friends and young cancer patients at Golisano Children's Hospital, visit GiveGolisano.org (https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.LMdXjQvZ1EPt1gvkZCgHMesviy-2FM8FA0-2BsPIfCrqUsw5rIpS5XUXeWIsbnEfSY2YIN8eLKSmwEzi6t1-2Bg4y97A-3D-3DQ2DT_qqnzJJVfxHIRzYO-2F1dHrJHuoqAKOnoDw5eX83Ltl21rGnAMiCywTwsNOQod0GJZs1wHFwP1oTRwn1lyaLOAse0B-...) or call 239-343-6950.