​​Melissa and John matched on a dating app, Coffee Meets Bagel, in March 2020. They quickly bonded over a shared sense of humor and positive outlook on life. They also enjoy living a healthy and active lifestyle together. Everything fell into place, and they married in their backyard with their closest family members in attendance.

After being unable to achieve pregnancy, they were both tested and learned of John’s condition, that led them to pursuing IVF. After challenges with IVF, further testing revealed a DNA abnormality for John (balanced translocation carrier), that leads to low fertilization rates and high chances of miscarriage.

The Family Building Grant will help them in the next step of their fertility journey using donor sperm. They feel the love you provide your children and how you raise them is what makes a strong, supportive family. The DNA used is only biology. John will be an amazing father and Melissa cannot wait to see him thrive in this role. Melissa has always wanted to be a mommy and is so hopeful for what the future holds.

They openly share their experiences to dismantle the stigma surrounding male fertility issues and to foster a community of empathy and support. It’s a tough journey, and they aim to change the narrative around male infertility, demonstrating that while the path to parenthood may be unconventional, it is no less meaningful or fulfilling. Melissa and John are so grateful to the Chicago Coalition of Family Building and the Jewish United Fund for all of their support.”

Melissa and John are recipients of the Path to Parenthood Grant from the Jewish United Fund