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All of us hold a special place in our hearts for those experiencing the challenge of infertility. As both a professional and a patient, I have had the unique opportunity of experiencing the impact and burden of this issue. This is why I founded Fertile Dreams, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to offering patients hope through education and access to resources.
Mark P. Trolice, M.D.
Founder, Fertile Dreams, Inc.
| Our Mission Fertile Dreams’ mission is to empower those touched by fertility issues through prevention, education, and advocacy. It is committed to redefining public perceptions of infertility by facilitating dialogue, dispelling myths, and championing for fertility rights, thereby eradicating the stigma that exists today. |
Our Vision Fertile Dreams envisions a world in which individuals discuss fertility issues without feeling embarrassed and inadequate, a world where young people are aware and attuned to the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to preserve their fertility, and one in which everyone celebrates and recognizes the miracle of a child joining a family, no matter how the family is created. |
Infertility is a chronic and emotionally debilitating disease that affects more than six million women in this country. The physical issues often pale in comparison to the devastating psychological impact and financial burden of treatment. Infertility affects 10 to 15 percent of all patients in their reproductive years regardless of race and sex, and worsens with age.
Fertile Dreams, established in 2004, is a non-profit organization focused on the problems and issues surrounding infertility and is the passion of its founder, Mark P. Trolice, MD, a fertility specialist in Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Trolice not only treats those dealing with infertility but has been a fertility patient himself. He and his wife Andrea ultimately chose to resolve their fertility through adoption of their daughter and son, the angels of their lives. As a result, Dr. Trolice truly has a unique and firsthand understanding of the challenges of fertility patients. His personal experience led him to establish this organization separate from his medical practice to deal with the larger issues surrounding infertility.
The vision of Fertile Dreams is to help build families in all ways possible with efforts focused on the following concentrations. First, dedicated to increasing fertility awareness, Fertile Dreams presents an annual Fertility Awareness Health Fair held in the Central Florida area to address the causes of infertility and many aspects of fertility treatment and alternatives. Second, the annual Embracing Hope Grant provides $10,000 towards fertility treatments at the clinic of the recipients’ choice, anywhere in the United States. Third, Fertile Dreams seeks to become a leader in funding scientific research and development to find new treatments and, ultimately, cures for infertile patients. Fourth, as an advocate for patients, Fertile Dreams will lobby for Florida to follow the lead of other states and provide mandatory health insurance coverage for fertility treatments.
The foundation and fabric of our lives are family, and Fertile Dreams will continue to provide hope and inspiration on the journey of those faced with challenges with the ultimate goal of adding a new member of their family to love.
The costs associated with fertility treatments may be quite expensive and, in most cases, insurance companies do not provide coverage for the care. Fertile Dreams was established as a resource for those individuals without insurance for fertility treatment. Every year, Fertile Dreams will select several individuals based on review of their application and financial need and grant a $10,000 award toward an IVF cycle at any program in the
United States.
Grants will be awarded as selected by the Embracing Hope Scholarship Committee. Applicants will be asked to complete a confidential application. They will also be asked to write a short essay describing their infertility history, personal situation and financial need. Proof of income and other supporting financial documentation will be required. Our first “Embracing Hope” couple underwent an IVF cycle in 2006 and are now parents of twins! Read and view their story at Embracing Hope Grant.
The Embracing Hope grant application is available on here.
