New York, New York…The Issue Of Infertility Takes Center Stage

NEW YORK, NEW YORK… THE ISSUE OF INFERTILITY TAKES CENTER STAGE: NIGHT OF HOPE RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN THE FAMILY BUILDING COMMUNITY    

Fourteen Awardees Honored at 12th Annual Night of Hope

(McLean, VA, May 27, 2009) With the New York City cityscape in the background, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will honor fourteen recipients with their 2009 Hope Awards on June 2, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the historic Tavern on the Green in New York City. Emmy award-winning journalist Rita Cosby currently a special correspondent for CBS’ “Inside Edition” will host the evening’s ceremony. This awards program recognizes individuals and companies who have impacted the millions of women and men struggling with the disease of infertility. This night of hope will support RESOLVE’s educational initiatives in helping the 7.3 million people in the U.S. build a family through increased public education, advocacy and support.

Barbara Eck Menning Founder’s Award
This prestigious award is named in honor of RESOLVE’s founder. It is presented annually to an individual or group who has demonstrated leadership in the field of infertility or infertility resolution. 

Reproductive Sciences Branch, Center for Population Research, 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute for Health
This award is given to The Reproductive Sciences Branch (RSB) for their research leadership in the field of infertility. The RSB in the Center for Population Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) was established in 1979 as the primary funding unit within the NICHD that provides support for research and research training opportunities in reproductive biology and medicine. 

The Hope Award for Advocacy
This award is given to an individual and/or organization/corporation whose work has raised public awareness, advanced a legislative agenda, or prompted change for the benefit of those diagnosed with infertility.

Andrew A. Toledo, MD, Reproductive Biology Associates
Andrew A. Toledo, M.D. is receiving The Hope Award for Advocacy based on his years of commitment to supporting access to care for infertility patients both in Georgia and throughout the U.S. Dr. Toledo is the medical director of Reproductive Biology Associates and has treated infertile couples in the Atlanta area for over twenty years.

Protect Families, Protect Choice   
This award is given to Protect Families, Protect Choice (PFPC) for their success in defeating Amendment 48 during the November 2008 election. During the 2008 NO on 48 Campaign, PFPC brought together thousands of people and more than 100 Colorado and national organizations, including RESOLVE, to defeat a ballot measure in Colorado which would have granted full constitutional rights to fertilized eggs.

The Hope Award for Best Blog 

Melissa Ford
Melissa Ford, creator of Stirrup Queens, has put together a very personal blog that the infertility community can relate to.  With this blog she is the leader in organizing all infertility, adoption,  nd loss related blogs making it easy for others to find the support they need and to share their personal struggles as a way to cope with infertility. (http://stirrup-queens.com/)

The Hope Award for Best Book  

Love & Infertility: Survival Strategies for Balancing Infertility, Marriage and Life (LifeLine Press, 2004) written by Kristen Magnacca.  In this book Kristen shares stories about her experience with infertility and helps those struggling with infertility gain control of their lives.

The Hope Award for Achievement 
This award is given to an individual and/or organization/corporation whose accomplishments are worthy and whose actions are socially commendable which result in a material contribution to the lives of those diagnosed with infertility.

Discovery Health 
This honor is being presented to Discovery Health for their tremendous amount and variety of programming on adoption, infertility, parenting and pregnancy. Discovery Health is part of Discovery Communications,  a nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.

The Hope Award for Service
This award is given to an individual and/or organization/corporation whose work has either advanced RESOLVE or its mission in a significant manner.

Joanne Libraro, R.N.  
Joanne Libraro, RN is receiving this award based on her numerous and wide-reaching contributions to the field of REI nursing and also to RESOLVE.  Ms. Libraro joined the Division of Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in 1995 as a staff nurse. She currently serves as the Director of Patient Care at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College (formerly CRMI).

Carol Lesser, N.P. 
Carol Lesser, N.P. is being presented this award based on her numerous and wide-reaching contributions to the field of REI nursing as well as RESOLVE.  For the past 20 years, Ms. Lesser has worked at Boston IVF, one of the nation’s largest and best known fertility centers.

Family Building Champion
Co-sponsored by RESOLVE and Conceive Magazine

Barilla America  
Barilla America, Inc., the U.S.-based division of The Barilla Group, Italy’s largest food producer, was launched in 1996. In the June 2009 issue, Conceive Magazine ranked the “Top 50 Companies” for fertility and adoption benefits.  In the categories of medical treatment and adoption benefits Barilla America was placed as one of the Top Ten “Fertility-Friendly and Adoption-Friendly Workplaces.”

Harvard University  
In the June 2009 issue, Conceive Magazine ranked the “Top 50 Companies” for fertility and adoption benefits. In the categories of medical treatment and adoption benefits, Harvard University was placed as one of the Top Ten “Fertility-Friendly and Adoption-Friendly Workplaces.”

Family Building Employer of the Year
Co-sponsored by RESOLVE and Conceive Magazine

Citizens Financial Group, Inc./RBS Americas  
Conceive has ranked Citizens Financial Group/RBS Americas as No. 1 among the 50 Best Fertility-Friendly and Adoption-Friendly Companies in the United States.  Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is a $167 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I.

Joanne J. Amato Excellence in Nursing Award
This award memorializes the work of Joanne J. Amato (1951 - 2005), and is presented to a nurse with outstanding clinical skills, a compassionate manner and dedication to patient care.

Award Recipient:
Barbara Skimore, RN   
Barbara Skidmore, R.N. has been an integral part of the team at the Center for Human Reproduction at North Shore-LIJ, Manhasset.  As the Donor Egg Coordinator, she counsels and helps patients every step of the way through their family building journey. She is active in the community serving as a founding member of the Long Island Reproductive Nurses Association.
 
Northeast Region Friends of RESOLVE Award 

Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York   
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York is the recipient of the 2009 Northeast Region Friend of RESOLVE Award in recognition of their many years of unwavering support to RESOLVE and its mission.

Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College (formerly CRMI)  
The Center is the recipient of the 2009 Northeast Region Friend of RESOLVE Award in recognition of  their many years of unwavering support to RESOLVE and its mission.

“RESOLVE congratulates all the 2009 Night of Hope Award recipients,” said Barbara Collura, Executive Director of RESOLVE. “We’re honored as the nation’s premier patient advocacy group to be able to bring the family building community together to celebrate all our achievements.”

RESOLVE thanks its 2009 Night of Hope sponsors for their generous support of the Hope Awards.

Wall Street Sponsor:
Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine

Park Avenue Sponsors:
Conceive Magazine
EMD Serono
Ferring Pharmaceuticals

To speak with the night’s awardees, please contact Shawn Taylor Zelman at 703.556.7173, szelman@resolve.org.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Founded in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, headquartered in McLean, VA, is the oldest and largest consumer-based, nonprofit group that provides education, advocacy and compassionate support for those struggling with infertility in the United States. Each year, RESOLVE and its nationwide network of affiliates handle more than 1.5 million contacts from people seeking information and help.  For more information, visit the RESOLVE website at www.resolve.org.