Hello, everyone. My name is Allen Stiegemeyer, and I am setting up this fundraiser on behalf of my incredible sister, Aimee, and her amazing husband, Zach. Many of you may know their story already, but for those who don’t, let me share a bit about their journey.
From a young age, Zach faced a significant health challenge when he battled stage 4 cancer. While he overcame the illness, the treatments unfortunately left him unable to have children naturally. This difficult reality led Aimee and Zach on the path of embryo adoption, a process filled with hope, excitement, but also significant emotional and financial strain.
Their journey through embryo adoption has been heartbreaking. In January 2024, they transferred their first embryos, but no pregnancy occurred, and they sadly lost multiple embryos early on. Despite setbacks, they bravely moved forward with additional transfers, each time filled with renewed hope. This July, excitement peaked when two perfectly graded embryos were transferred, and joy filled our family as Aimee learned she was pregnant, possibly with twins. Unfortunately, this joy was short-lived, and in August, she experienced a devastating miscarriage that took an enormous emotional toll, plunging her into deep postpartum depression, anxiety, and grief.
Throughout this emotional rollercoaster, Aimee and Zach have faced staggering medical bills, adding financial stress to an already difficult situation. Aimee, a beloved teacher, was forced to temporarily step away from her career to prioritize her mental health, further complicating their financial stability.
However, there is renewed hope and strength in their journey. Aimee has recently accepted a teaching position at a private school starting next fall, offering a fresh and supportive environment that she feels will greatly benefit her mental health and professional life. Additionally, after significant healing and reflection, Aimee and Zach have decided they are ready to move forward again with the embryo transfer process. Unfortunately, the cost of these transfers has more than doubled since their last attempt, placing an even heavier financial burden on their shoulders.
As Aimee’s brother, watching them endure such profound pain has been incredibly difficult. Their resilience, faith, and unwavering love for each other continually amaze me. My hope is to alleviate at least one of their burdens—the financial pressure of medical bills and the significantly increased costs of upcoming embryo transfers.
Any amount you can donate will make a significant impact on their lives, allowing them space to heal and confidently pursue their dreams of becoming parents. Please consider sharing their story and donating if you’re able. Your support, prayers, and kindness mean the world to our entire family.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with Aimee and Zach during this challenging yet hopeful chapter of their lives.
