This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Megan Solinger

In Partnership with Life with Cancer, Hope Connections, and the Ulman Fund

Fertility Preservation is a complicated, dynamic and challenging topic.  This presentation will briefly cover what are the Standards of Care for male and female fertility preservation and the process to pursue.  However science and technology is constantly changing, so are our perspectives, circumstances, and we need to keep up with the changing landscape of fertility preservation.  Attendees will walk away understanding what fertility preservation is at a basic level, newer options, and the importance of keeping the conversation going with your medical team to address your desires for family planning and building.

About Megan Solinger

Megan Solinger, MHS, MA, OPN-CG has always had a passion for human development.  She holds two master’s degrees, from Johns Hopkins and the George Washington University, as well as a certificate in Maternal and Child Health. She was an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Patient Navigator for over 3.5 years through a partnership with the Ulman Foundation and the University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and has become a content expert in fertility preservation for this specific population.  She’s currently the Director, Provider Relations and Navigation at the Ulman Foundation, a long-standing NPO that provides a community of support to the AYA oncology patient population and is based in Baltimore, Maryland.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Heather Chorzempa

Receiving a cancer diagnosis and/or transitioning is likely to be overwhelming – there is a lot to figure out. Because of this, something like fertility preservation can seem both unimportant and confusing. Many doctors give limited information on the subject since it isn’t their area of expertise.

If you do choose to freeze sperm or eggs, you might only receive information about the current process, and not about the long-term potential for actually having kids with or without a future partner. I have noticed that patients doing fertility preservation for medical reasons could use extra consultation as they make decisions for fertility preservation in the early stages of cancer treatment and/or transitioning.

You may have already gone through treatment to freeze sperm or eggs, or you may not have even thought about it yet. I look forward to providing information for those at any stage of this process in a short presentation, and answering specific questions you might have.

About Heather Chorzempa

Heather Chorzempa grew up in Minnesota, and now works in an IVF lab in Germany. Her grandmother fought cancer six times over almost twenty years, so Heather is passionate about helping others who might be going through something similar. A close friend also went through four rounds of IVF, and through her support of this friend her interest was sparked to pursue a career in the field.