‘Conception Connections’ Newest Entry to Fertility Blog Scene

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CHICAGO (Jan. 25, 2008) -- In an effort to foster more dialog around alternative solutions to family building – especially the myths, realities and ethics behind them – a Chicago firm has launched a new blog called “Conception Connections” (www.conceptionconnections.wordpress.com).

Alternative Reproduction Resources, an agency specializing in bringing intended parents together with egg donors and gestational surrogates, believes the blog is an ideal way for members of this community to share their triumphs and struggles.

“Infertility affects more than 6 million women and their partners in the United States alone,” says Robin von Halle, president of ARR, which she founded in 1992. “In vitro solutions are on the rise as science continues to advance. But we, as a community, need to work harder to share our knowledge and experiences for the benefit of others.”

In addition to contributions by donors, surrogates and parents, Conception Connections features posts by von Halle, and ARR Partner Mary Ellen McLaughlin. Nidhi Desai, ARR’s legal counsel and partner at the Chicago law firm of Ballard, Desai, Bush-Joseph & Horwich, will also contribute.

Early contributions include von Halle’s posts on Alexis Stewart’s efforts to conceive, and on “vanity” pregnancies through surrogates. Other posts include an African American egg donor’s reflections on the need to grow awareness in her cultural community of in vitro solutions and the need for ethnic donors, and another donor’s hope that her eggs ended up gifting a couple with a child.

”Infertility affects many people, so we are excited to shed some light on this subject and give people a chance to interact,” says von Halle.

Established in 1994, Chicago-based ARR was one of the first agencies in the United States dedicated to locating and matching egg donors (and, more recently gestational surrogates) with intended parents from around the world. For further information, contact von Halle at 773.327.7315, or info@arr1.com.