• Cancer treatment can leave patients infertile – meaning they can’t become a mom or dad in the future?
   
• In NC, most insurance companies do NOT cover the cost of freezing sperm or eggs before starting cancer treatment? 
  • Men typically have to shell out $400 or more to freeze sperm.
  • Women typically have to pay $5,000 or more to freeze eggs.

… that means that AYA cancer patients often have to make decisions about their future family planning and pay a large sum of money within 1-3 days of being diagnosed with cancer.

I am raising money to offset the cost of fertility preservation so that AYAs diagnosed with cancer have one less thing to worry about before starting treatment.

Good news!!!  You can help the UNC community BEAT DUKE in the Shave & Buzz Duke v. UNC competition!

It's simple:  all you do is register for a page as an individual or create a team, and then do something you love!  Raise money and/or just send photos of yourself "never being done" doing what you love.  Don't forget to indicate whether you're supporting DUKE or UNC!

Tag us on Instagram ... @bmenges_imnotdoneyet

When adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients who have completed treatment are asked their biggest concerns, the most common is: "Will I be able to have children?" It’s not the risk for cancer recurrence or disability and disfigurement - the desire to build a family is their highest priority.  In addition to the toxicity of cancer treatments themselves, chronic health conditions can occur in the aftermath of any cancer treatment protocol, and infertility is among the most common long-term complication.

So, it’s unfortunate that in the confusion and deluge of information during a new cancer diagnosis, including staging, testing, treatment and prognosis, the topic of fertility preservation can be set aside or forgotten.   AYA cancer patients report a lack of adequate information to make informed fertility decisions.  Meeting the unique fertility goals of every patient requires appropriate fertility counseling, as well as logistical and financial access to fertility care.

It’s the mission of I’m Not Done Yet to provide the resources for AYA cancer patients to preserve their fertility. 

Your support of the Shave & Buzz will help ensure that these young patients have the HOPE that despite having cancer, they can one day have a family of their own.