This Annual Report covers the period from July 01, 2015 to June 30, 2016

Dear IFAASA Supporters,

The second year of operation has seen IFAASA growing in leaps and bounds. Our events all achieved 100% attendance and our Facebook presence grew by 400%.

The men and women in the infertile community in South Africa asked for information and support, and IFAASA was there for all of them, giving them an outlet to � nd their voice and support their needs. For many people, � nding their voice enabled them to speak to their families, friends or doctors about their struggles with infertility.

While our successes have been many, we have a long road ahead of us to achieve all our goals such as ‘Get infertility treatment covered by Medical Schemes’; ‘Make sure people understand their reproductive health and see a fertility specialist sooner’; ‘Work with our community so that infertility gets the attention it deserves’.

To continue to be a leader in this community, we need you, our supporters, to know that we recognise that much still needs to be done. One in six couples in South Africa su� er from infertility, and we have a long way to go to reach all of those people. Our medical schemes are all hiding behind the claim that they are meeting the basic standards set by the Medical Schemes Act. If we want real change to happen, then the infertility community needs to come together to provide the resources necessary to fully tackle the needs of South African citizens.

Did you know that IFAASA does all of its work with only � ve volunteers? We need help if we are to make a greater impact. What do you have to give? Your time? Your expertise? Your contacts? Your � nancial donation? Help us to really make lasting change happen!On behalf of everyone at IFAASA, we thank all of you who support our cause.

Meggan Zunckel

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About IFAASA 3

Events 4

Discovery Campaign 5

Reproductive Health Month 6

SASREG Conference 7

Employee Wellness Days at Companies 7

IFAASA on Facebook 8

Newsletters 9

Media Coverage 10

Our Corporate Sponsors 11

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IFAASA, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa NPC, established in 2013, is a non-pro� t organisation with the aim of supporting Southern Africans living with reproductive health issues through education, research and advocacy, and to educate the public about reproductive disease.

Southern Africa has never had an infertility awareness association. Statistics show that one in six couples su� er from some form of infertility. Yet the general public, numerous medical practitioners, and many infertiles themselves are unacquainted with and ignorant of the journey infertiles follow in their quest to achieve their families.

Our vision is to be the leading Southern African infertility awareness association while also driving public and industry awareness and understanding of infertility. We will act on behalf of the infertility community as advocates by lobbying for fair support and change and equal access to public and private sector treatment.

We intend to break the silence for those su� ering from infertility by supporting Southern Africans living with reproductive health issues through education and advocacy, and by educating the public about reproductive diseases.

ACTING MEMBERS

We are a group of South Africans who feel compelled to build awareness and support of infertility. Through our own experiences with infertility, we have come to realise that even though there are support structures in place, there is a need for information, education and advocacy, both within the community and in the general public. Infertility o� ers many unknowns and it is our desire to share resources with our community that will o� er hope, insight, support and encouragement.

To meet our members visit http://www.ifaasa.co.za/ifaasa-members/

IFAASA is the only South African NPC dedicated to educating and

advocating for those su� ering from infertility

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DEVELOPING PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS FOR COUPLES GOING THROUGH ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROCEDURESCAPE TOWN, 19TH JUNE 2016

Presented by: • Cal Volks, Fertility Counsellor at

the Holistic Assisted Reproduction Treatment (HART) clinic in Cape Town

• Meggan Zunckel, CEO IFAASA

PATHWAYS TO PARENTHOOD INFORMATION EVENINGJOHANNESBURG, 9TH JUNE 2016

Presented by:• Dr Tony Rodrigues, Reproductive

Medicine Specialist, Medfem Fertility Clinic

• Mandy Rodrigues, Clinical Psychologist, Medfem Fertility Clinic

• Robynne Friedman, Attorney in Family Law and Surrogacy

• Zoe Cohen, Specialist Social Worker in Adoption

• Lee-Ann Strydom, Surrogacy SA• Angela Kelleher, Director IFAASA• Saskia Williams, Director IFAASA

ENDOMETRIOSISINFORMATION EVENINGJOHANNESBURG, 25TH NOVEMBER 2015

Presented by:• Dr Stephan Volschenk, Reproductive

Medicine Specialist, Vitalab• Dr Sumayya Ebrahim, Psychologist at

BioArt fertility Centre• Rechelle Heldsinger, Founder

EndPain and Endo-Warriors• Saskia Williams, Director IFAASA

3EVENTS>100ATTENDEES

TO DEAL WITH ANY POSSIBLE STRESSES DURING ASSISTED REPRODUCTION.

PREPARE EMOTIONALLY

TO DEAL WITH ANY POSSIBLE STRESSES DURING ASSISTED REPRODUCTION.

REGISTER HERE!

IFAASAPRESENTS

PSYCHOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR

ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

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On the 21st of April 2016, IFAASA wrote an Open Letter to Discovery Health, urging them to address and put in place, an Infertility Treatment Plan, which could allow member’s access to In Vitro Fertilisation and Intra Uterine Insemination.

Discovery has refused to respond.

We will continue the campaign throughout the coming years while also tackling some of the other major medical aids.

Since posting the “Open Letter to Discovery” on the IFAASA Facebook page and IFAASA Website on the 21st April 2016, the comments, questions, queries were overwhelming, all joining our voice and requesting cover for fertility treatment. These are all members of varying medical aids, but the majority are Discovery Health members.

Facebook: Over 400 comments

Post Reached: Over 60,000 people

Post Shared: More than 380 times and

Page Liked: 598 people liked the page

Most importantly: Largest Audience has been Women Aged 25 – 34

To view the letter visit http://www.ifaasa.co.za/openletter/

Qualify for a 25% discount, on your initial consultation, with a Fertility Specialist!

The primary aim of the RHM project is to encourage couples to seek diagnosis and possible treatment at a SASREG accredited clinic as soon as they start to realise that conception might not be as easy as they thought. Early diagnosis of infertility by a Fertility Specialist is critical and has a direct result on the success rates of treatment plans and if couples will be able to conceive with their own genetics.

Participating clinics had a process in place to run a battery of tests for patients wishing to take part in the RHM project for February 2016. IFAASA co-cordinated with clinics to ensure most, if not all the tests fall under the PMB umbrella and guidance was given to patients on how to claim from their medical aids to ensure the expenses are not carried by the patient out of pocket.

PARTICIPATING CLINICS:• Cape Town - Aevitas, HART, Cape Fertility Clinic• Johannesburg – BioArt, MedFem, Sandton Fertility, Vitalab• Durban - Natal Fertility Clinic• Port Elizabeth - Fembryo

FEBRUARY IS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MONTHWILL YOUR FERTILITY STAND THE TEST OF TIME?

ARE YOU INFERTILE?

1 IN 6 COUPLES are diagnosed with infertility. The following warning signs can be an indication of infertility and may necessitate the intervention of a fertility specialist to help you fall pregnant.

YOUNGER THAN35 YEARS OLDwho have been trying to conceive for

MORE THAN12 MONTHS

OLDER THAN35 YEARS OLD

who have been trying to conceive for

MORE THAN6 MONTHS

IRREGULAR CYCLES or if a DIAGNOSIS

OF PCOS has been made

A HISTORY OF PID OR STD

(Pelvic Infection or Sexuallly Transmitted Diseases)

PREVIOUS STD (Sexuallly Transmitted Diseases)

PATIENTS > 35 YEARS OLDwho are not in a relationship may considerEGG FREEZING

Patients who have had a

cancer diagnosis

CANCERDIAGNOSIS

in the pelvis

PREVIOUSSURGERY

PREVIOUSTESTICULAR

SURGERYOR TRAUMA

BMI>30

Patients who have had a

cancer diagnosis

CANCERDIAGNOSIS

BMI>30

DURING MENSTRUATION AND /OR INTERCOURSE

or if a diagnosis of ENDOMETRIOSIS

has been made

PAIN MEN WHO EXPERIENCE

IN THE GENITAL AREA

CHRONIC

PAIN

MALE FACTORS

If you exhibit any of these warning signs you need to see a Fertility SpecialistGO TO WWW.IFAASA.CO.ZA FOR A LIST OF FERTILITY SPECIALISTS

THE USE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS OR GYM SUPPLEMENTS

MEN WITH ERECTILE

DYSFUNCTION

EXCESSIVE SMOKING

AND ALCOHOL

USE/ ILLICIT DRUG ABUSE

DURING TEENAGE YEARS

A HISTORY OF

MUMPS

BREAK THE SILENCE

IFAASA is the only South African NPC dedicated to educating and advocating for those suffering from infertility

FEMALE FACTORS

Supported by an educational grant fromFerring (Pty) Ltd

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IFAASA gave a presentation to an audience of South African and African Fertility Specialists and Gynaecologists about the realities faced by the infertile patient. IFAASA raised concerns the infertile patient had accessing treatment and the importance of service providers working together to improve the quality of life of infertile couples.

To view the presentation visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ryfSgWqQ4&feature=youtu.be

IFAASA presented a workshop on infertility and provided sta� with pamphlets on the warning signs of infertility and options for infertile patients.

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INFORMATION CAMPAIGNSThroughout the year IFAASA runs a series of informal infor-mation campaigns aimed at building awareness and under-standing of infertility.

HOW TO CLAIM FROM YOUR MEDICAL AIDSIFAASA receives numerous emails on a monthly basis from members of the public asking for assistance with medical aid claims. All requests are assisted and escalated if need be.

ONCO FERTILITYUnfortunately, as we all know, many cancer treatments result in infertility. IFAASA runs campaigns throughout the year to build awareness of Fertility Preservation. With the support of Ferring, thousands of posters have been distributed across South Africa to build awareness.

2 470FOLLOWERS

GREW BY 500%DAILY

ENGAGEMENTS 88

IFAASA publishes newsletters throughout the year in support of building awareness of infertility.

JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=928a9f23e2214356e29945a11&id=4429a343b6

• Pathways to Parenthood Information Evening• Developing psychological preparedness for couples

going through Assisted Reproductive Technology procedures Information Evening

• Update on Medical Aid Campaign

FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER

http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=928a9f23e2214356e29945a11&id=7d0906d2ca

• Editors letter on Reproductive Health Month• Trying for your 2nd Child when Infertile• Break the Silence and Fast Track Your Fertility Assessment• Most people do not know when fertility declines• What to expect during your � rst appointment with a

Fertility Specialist• Boosting Your Chances of Conception• What Is Male Infertility?• 3 Things That Could Be Hurting Men’s Fertility• Secrets Men shouldn’t keep from their Doctor• Jay’s Male Factor Infertility Story• 7 Fertility Super foods Salad• Easy Male Fertility Boosting Snack Bites

NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=928a9f23e2214356e29945a11&id=593fdce65a

• Editors letter ‘Alternative and complimentary therapies for infertility’

• Meet the IFAASA member• Meet our latest Strategic Partner• BSR and Infertility, by Sarah Davies• Bene� ts of a holistic approach to fertility using

complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine. By Helen Walker

• The Impact of Stress on Fertility, by Dr Mandy Rodrigues• Infertility - What Lies Beneath, by Dr Simone Silver• Acupuncture for Infertility Treatment

JUNE 2015 NEWSLETTER

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=928a9f23e2214356e29945a11&id=8aa5567434

• Editors letter ‘My roadmap has changed!’ • Meet the IFAASA member• Not all eggs are created equal: From inception to

conception by Dr M.I. Cassim• Guidelines on egg donation• Choosing an egg donor• The A.R.T. of Infertility - Infertility Emotions• Where do babies come from?• It Takes a Team - a personal story

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IFAASA has built an authoritative position as a media source and provided interviews and resources to national and local media on general infertility issues, insurance cover, and personal stories. An example of media coverage below:

• Medical schemes cause further stress over infertility by not footing all bills, Mail & Guardian

http://mg.co.za/article/2016-06-06-00-medical-schemes-cause-further-stress-over-infertility-by-not-footing-all-bills

• TV Interview Saskia, 10th June Motswako SABC 2

• Meggan Zunckel interviewed by Xolani Gwala, Talk Radio 702.

• ‘Discovery discriminates against infertility disease’ Talk Radio 702. http://www.702.co.za/articles/13153/discovery-discriminates-against-infertility-disease

• Times Media.

• Health Talk: Our wonderful PR maven Kathleen recently featured on Health Talk, alongside Steve Biko, in an hour long discussion on Infertility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5-uv9e83H8

• The Criselda Dudumashe Show: Featuring Angela Kelleher and Saskia Williams, Directors of IFAASA.

https://www.facebook.com/ifaasa/insights/?section=navPosts

• Telephonic interview: South Africa News –SABC Online, November 2016.

• Telephonic interview with Ms. Sisanda Jonas on SAFM Week-end PM Live and Angela Kelleher November 2015.

• Telephonic Radio interview on SAFM on the Talk Shop Show with Ms. Naledi Moleo and Angela Kelleher February 2016.

• Print: Northcli� Times – Press release used on 9th February 2016. Raises awareness about Reproductive Health Month.

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THANK YOU CORPORATE PARTNERS Through � nancial support, project sponsorship, and sharing our message, this amazing group of businesses have made a commitment to improving the lives of men and women living with infertility, while also helping IFAASA deliver our programs and services. Thank you to each and every business who helped make this past year such a great success.

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