S
ince 2008, the Girard-based
nonprofit New Blossoms New Life
Foundation has provided financial
support to 80 couples in Erie, Crawford
and Warren counties to help cover the
costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF). And,
to date, those couples have welcomed a
total of 58 children into their families.
MAGGIE’S LEGACY
Chris and Renea Kovski established
New Blossoms New Life Foundation in
memory of their daughter, Maggie. Renea
gave birth to Maggie in 2005 following
IVF, but two years later she passed away
in a tragic accident. The Kovskis received
an outpouring of financial support from
friends and family, which the couple used
to establish the foundation as a part of
their daughter’s legacy.
For a decade, New Blossoms New
Life has allowed a growing number of
families in northwestern Pennsylvania
to experience the same joy that Maggie
brought to her family.
Recent grant recipients Anthony
Hammer and Brienna Richardson-
Hammer of North East say they will
always be grateful to the Kovskis:
“Because of Maggie’s legacy, all these
couples have been able to realize their
dreams. It’s a beautiful thing.”
AN AMAZING GIFT
Navigating fertility treatment options
can be a difficult journey—and an
expensive one. Health care coverage
usually does not cover fertility treatments,
and couples can deplete their savings on
options recommended even before trying
IVF, such as intrauterine insemination
(IUI). With IVF costs ranging
from $10,000 to $15,000 or more if
medications aren’t covered by insurance,
the treatment is out of reach for many
couples.
“They’ve given us a miracle,”
Richardson-Hammer says. “Without New
Blossoms New Life we probably wouldn’t
be able to have a family.”
“It’s hard to put into words what New
Blossoms New Life did for us. It’s been an
amazing gift,” says grant recipient Alyssa
Layman. She and her husband Scot of
Fairview are the parents of 4-year-old
twins, Harper and Harrison. “They put
their heart and soul into helping these
couples. I don’t know if we’d have our
children if it wasn’t for them. It’s such a
blessing.”
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
New Blossoms New Life accepts
applications and awards grants
throughout the year, but it takes a great
deal of hard work and dedication to
continue to assist couples with the costs
of IVF. The foundation holds a variety of
fundraisers—impeccably coordinated
and often sell-outs—such as its popular
purse bingo, annual cash bash, and its
celebrity bartender event.
Hammer is a longtime supporter of
New Blossoms New Life, participating in
the foundation’s annual golf tournament
for eight years—even before he met
his wife. He comments, though, that
grant recipients themselves are the most
eager to participate and give back to the
foundation with their time and donations.
“New Blossoms New Life made our
family possible,” he says, “We’re going to
give back no matter what.”
Layman adds that the community
has been extremely supportive of
foundation events through donations
and participation. The communities of
recipient families have also supported
the foundation directly with awards; for
example, from Erie Gives and Fairview
Cares.
In its first year, New Blossoms New
Life provided financial assistance for IVF
to five couples. Because of the dedicated
work of volunteers and support from the
community, 14 couples received grants
in 2017. “It’s exciting, and I think the
foundation will grow by leaps and bounds
in the years to come,” says Layman.
MAKING SURE NO ONE FACES THE
JOURNEY ALONE
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) estimates that about
one in eight couples are challenged by
some form of infertility. Although it’s a
relatively common problem, those who
experience infertility often feel alone.
New Blossoms New Life works to raise
awareness through community education
and provides the emotional support
these couples need. The organization
invites anyone struggling with infertility
to attend its support group, held the
second Tuesday of the month. Everyone,
whether a New Blossoms New Life
grant recipient or not, is welcome to
attend. Details are available on the New
Blossoms Infertility Support Group
Facebook page.
“You can feel very alone when you’re
going through this, when all of your
friends are having babies,” says Layman.
“You don’t have to feel like you’re in the
dark. It’s close to our hearts, and we’ve
been through it. Everyone is positive and
supportive.”
“Not a lot of people understand
what it’s like to face infertility,” adds
Richardson-Hammer. “How do you
digest the information that you’re never
going to have a family? At the support
group you can share as much or as little as
you want, and bring friends with you. It’s
an open door to anyone who needs us.”
“Over the years, I’ve seen a number
of people I know reach out to New
Blossoms,” notes Layman. “You don’t
realize how many people infertility
affects. But it’s amazing each year to
see more couples get to experience
parenthood.”
UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS
Layman points out that New Blossoms
New Life has given her more than the
ability to have a family. “In our selection
group, there were six other applicants,
and now we all have 4-year-old children,”
she says. “New Blossoms New Life has
brought us together, and our kids are all
going to grow up knowing each other.
It’s really becoming a second family. We
gained more than our kids. We gained
lifelong friends.
“Hopefully our kids can carry on with
the foundation in the future. I want to
instill that in my kids—knowing that it’s
important to give back to such a worthy
cause.”
Reflecting on all the couples the
foundation has helped, Richardson-
Hammer adds, “We’re very fortunate.
There are a lot of communities that don’t
have anything like this.”
To learn more about New Blossoms
New Life Foundation, criteria for grant
eligibility, and upcoming fundraising
events, visit newblossomsnewlife.org, or
facebook.com/newblossomsnewlife. n
WEST COUNTY
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WINTER 2018
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