Episode 13. Understanding Fertility Preservation during Cancer Treatments

This episode talks with Amanda Rice, CEO of an incredible company called Chick Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to fertility preservation for patients with cancer.

Specifically we discuss:

• What are the options for fertility preservation?

  • Egg Freezing

  • Embryo Freezing

  • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation

• How did your doctor talk to you about your fertility?

• What is the process of egg freezing like?

  • Minimum two weeks

  • Daily injections 1-2 times a day with multiple appointments and ultrasounds

  • Trigger shot followed by a procedure

• What side effects did you feel during the egg freezing process?

  • Bloating, mood swings

• What advice do you wish you had known before freezing your eggs?

  • You have time to pay your medical bills

• What are resources to learn more?

  • Chickmission.org

  • American Cancer Society

  • Letter to appeal insurance company

  • Cancer Care

• Resources to help patients who cannot afford egg freezing:

  • Apply for Chick Mission Grant (age 18-40 in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York & Texas)

  • The following organizations may offer financial assistance to help alleviate these expenses:

    • Livestrong Fertility

    • Fertility Within Reach

    • Reprotech

    • The Samfund

    • Team Maggie

    • Ferring Health

    • Cade Foundation

    • Baby Quest

    • Hope for Fertility

    • Parental Hope

Amanda Rice

Amanda Rice was a former cancer patient and now CEO of the Chick Mission. The idea "hatched" when Amanda's fertility preservation coverage was denied by her insurance company. Staring down a long road of chemo, radiation and long-term drug therapy, Amanda understood the high likelihood of infertility after her treatment and decided to move forward covering the costs on her own. The idea of other patients choosing not to pursue preservation simply because of the cost barrier did not sit well - socioeconomic standing should not dictate whether anyone has an opportunity to have biological children after they battle and beat cancer. Wouldn’t it be incredible if every single young female cancer patient had the option to preserve her fertility ahead of lifesaving treatment? As a woman who has spent over a decade raising money for a living, Amanda utilized that skill set to help get The Chick Mission off the ground. She jumped down the rabbit hole of necessary paperwork to incorporate and the rest is history.