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.
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.
Specifically we discuss:
What are the options for fertility preservation?
Egg Freezing
Embryo Freezing
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 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?
Letter to appeal insurance company
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:
