Infertility Meets Social Media in a Virtual Video Contest to Win a Donated IVF Cycle
Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) November 09, 2013 -- For the third consecutive year, Sher Fertility Institute is hosting their “I Believe” Video Journal Project. “I Believe” is an online contest wherein prospective patients submit a short video chronicling their infertility journey with the hope of winning a donated IVF cycle. The goal of this project is to raise awareness for infertility; to educate, inspire and connect those who are struggling.
Voting takes place on the Sher Fertility Institute Website and on You Tube. A panel of Sher Fertility Institute doctors, nurses and support staff are also involved in selecting the finalists. Once the finalists have been chosen, a panel of infertility activists and experts not affiliated with Sher Institute decides on the winners.
The videos are raw, emotional testimonials of couples who desperately want a child. (View the contest entries here - http://haveababy.com/believe-2013-videos/).
This year, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker is producing a documentary about the project. You can learn more about Amanda Micheli and her impressive credentials at http://www.runawayfilms.com. Amanda is going through IVF herself as we speak, and is committed to making a film that explores infertility from an objective and empathetic point of view.
Critics have claimed that these “contests” are unethical and take advantage of vulnerable, desperate people with a unique kind of video voyeurism. But those close to the project take comfort from the feedback they receive from past participants (not just the winners!) continually tell us how the project has changed their lives for the better.
“Are we aware that this may be perceived as a publicity stunt?” said Geoffrey Sher, MD, founder and Executive Medical Director for the Sher Institute. “Of course we are, and we considered the ramifications of this carefully for several years before deciding to offer our first free donations in 2010.”
Dr. Sher shares his feelings about the contest on his blog - http://haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/2013-believe-video-journal-project/.
And then there are the happy endings for winners. Emily and Jimmy Heaton and Jennifer and Chris Popp.
The Heatons entered and won with this video "I Believe" Emily & Jim Heaton – and are now expecting their first child after they recently learned their surrogate is pregnant after they cycled with Dr. Geoffrey Sher in Las Vegas.
Chris and Jennifer Popp won the “I Believe” contest last December with this video - "I Believe" Jennifer & Chris Popp. Thanks to Dr. Sher, they are now getting ready for baby Popp due in January.
The deadline for contest entries is 11:59 PM Pacific Time on November 13, 2013 and voting will begin on November 15 on the Sher Institute website (http://www.haveababy.com). Winners will be announced on December 20.
About Sher Fertility Institute
The Sher Fertility Institute is a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized infertility treatment and compassionate care. Through their “Giving Back” program, they have donated hundreds of free fertility treatments to deserving couples and have helped many women freeze their eggs prior to cancer treatment. There are eight Sher Fertility Institute locations across the United States including New York City and Westchester, NY; Dallas, TX; Las Vegas, NV; St. Louis, MO; Peoria, IL; Asbury, NJ and Bethlehem, PA. More information can be found on the Sher Institute website at http://www.haveababy.com.
Lisa Stark/Director of Communications, Sher Fertility Institute, http://haveababy.com/, 702-374-1573, [email protected]
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