A woman who faced only a 15 percent chance of conceiving naturally was able to give birth to a child, thanks to the generosity of strangers who donated $13,000 for her to undergo IVF. Gem Baker had always dreamed of becoming a mother, but her journey was fraught with challenges.
At 38, she was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017, greatly reducing her chances of conception. After enduring eight procedures to remove the endometriosis, she learnt from her fertility clinic that her low egg count left her with just a 15 percent chance of conceiving.
Determined to pursue her dream, she began exploring in vitro fertilization (IVF) but was shocked by the high costs involved, as it goes without saying, that IVF is an expensive medical procedure. Encouraged by her friend Jen, Gem set up a fundraising page, reluctantly though. To her astonishment, donations began pouring in, showcasing the kindness of those who wanted to help her.
Adding up contributions from her dad and her own savings, Gem raised a total of $13,000. In August 2021, she finally began her first round of IVF. While it wasn’t a very smooth ride for Gem, the kindness of good people around her gave her the needed strength to keep placing one foot in front of the other. Months later, Gem welcomed her daughter, Clover-Iris, into the world.
Sometimes, the purest form of kindness is tendered by people we scarcely know. In a world where challenges can often feel insurmountable, the selfless acts of these benefactors brought hope and joy to Gem and her new family.
May this inspire us today to act kindly where we can and make a difference in someone’s life.