One More Little Hand to Hold: Sandy and Fidel's IVF Hope

Sandy and Fidel are not the kind of people who ask for help. In their own words, they are usually the ones who try to figure things out, keep moving forward, and make things work. But this journey, they say, has taught them that sometimes it is okay to let others walk beside you.

Their IVF story started years ago, after a long struggle to grow their family. Six years ago, IVF gave them what they describe as one of the greatest gifts of their lives: their daughter, Amelia. Every appointment, injection, procedure, worry, and sacrifice, they write, was worth it the moment she became part of their family. Today she is the center of their world. And watching her grow has only made their hearts want one more child to love alongside her.

The road back has been harder

They always hoped Amelia would have a little brother or sister, so they began again. This time, the road has been much harder. They have lived through pregnancy loss, unsuccessful attempts, countless appointments, medications, procedures, and long stretches of waiting. There have been moments of incredible hope and moments of heartbreak, and the emotional and physical toll that comes with fertility treatment.

And yet, as they put it, they are still here. They are preparing to move forward with another IVF cycle because they want to give themselves one more real chance at completing their family. Timing matters in their situation, and they felt they could not afford to lose valuable months waiting to save the full cost of treatment. So they made a decision they describe as incredibly difficult: borrowing against their home to pay for it. That choice kept the door open, but it placed a significant financial burden on their family. Their fundraiser exists to help offset part of what they have already financed.

Why the cost is so heavy

For many families, the hardest part of building a family is not the hoping. It is the price tag that arrives with the hope. Fertility treatment often has to be paid for up front, before anyone knows how the story ends, and coverage varies widely. Families are asked to make enormous financial decisions in the middle of an already exhausting emotional season. That is exactly where community matters. A gift from a stranger does not remove the uncertainty, but it can lift a little weight off a family who is carrying a lot.

Sandy and Fidel are clear eyed about what they are asking for. They know IVF does not guarantee another baby; they say they know that better now than they ever have. They are not asking for a perfect story. They are asking for the opportunity to try one more time.

How you can walk beside them

If their story resonates with you, read it in their own words and chip in whatever feels right. No amount is too small, and every bit moves them closer. If giving is not possible right now, they have said that sharing their story, sending encouragement, or simply keeping their family in your thoughts means more than you know.

One more little hand to hold. One more person for Amelia to grow up beside. That is the whole dream.