As some of you know, I recently found out I was selected as a 1 of 6 honorees for the Night of Hope with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association I. AM. FLOORED.

First of all, RESOLVE, for those who don’t know, is a nonprofit patient advocacy organization supporting infertility that is the crème de la crème. RESOLVE provides free support groups in more than 200 communities; is the leading patient advocacy voice; and serves as the go-to organization for anyone challenged in their family building. I love what my friend Candace said to me when talking about me winning this … “It’s like you won an Oscars. This is like the Oscars of the infertility world. This is a BIG deal.”

This honor stands for something so significant that it humbles me to my core.  Everything that I have been a part of over the years, from writing here to connecting people on Instagram and coordinating TTC Exchanges, has been genuine, authentic and done because I don’t think anyone should ever go through this heartache alone.

My purpose has never been awards, fame, or recognition, but simply reminding others that faith + infertility can co-exist, and that they are not alone. I am humbled to stand in line with the other honorees who are accepting awards this weekend, whose lives are drive with a purpose and a passion to help others facing infertility.

There’s a couple of ways you can get involved and support me in this honor, but first, I just need to say THANK YOU. It’s always been our community (YOU!) who have encouraged us to keep telling our story, who prayed us through the hardest days of loss and miscarriage and waiting, and who have always been open to hearing more about this struggle the 1 in 8 couples have.

First – a way you can help:

If you want. RESOLVE is asking my community to make a donation in my honor. $5 is all it takes! Of course it can be more, but if you in any way, have a heart to continue to help others who have stood in our shoes, this is an excellent way.

In addition, your donation is made in my honor and they will be sharing these notes and messages publicly (or privately if you choose!) at the gala, so I would LOVE to see YOUR NAMES up there. It’s one way I could literally have my people with me on this big and exciting night.

TO MAKE A DONATION, CLICK HERE 

If you have ever been a part of an exchange, or read along our story, will you consider making a donation in my honor and sending me a little message to read at the gala? I literally can’t imagine anything better!

Second – a way you can join in:

RESOLVE will be LIVESTREAMING the ceremony and award presentation for friends, family and supporters who could not be in the room with us in NYC on Monday, 11/12/18.

*Note since this is a live event, all times are estimated* EASTERN TIMES

7:30 pm: Program Opening Remarks, Welcome, Video Presentation
7:45 pm- 8:30 pm: Special interviews
8:30 pm- 9:15pm: Hope Awards Presentation

https://livestream.com/streamliner/nightofhope2018

Lastly, here’s a note from the president and CEO of RESOLVE, Barbara Collura:

“RESOLVE is proud to honor Chelsea Ritchie for the important work she has done through her blog and annual TTC exchange for people living with infertility and all those who are challenged in their family building journey. Celebrating these contributions makes the collective message louder and inspires others to get informed, seek support, advocate for change, and take action to reach resolution in their family building journey.”

The Night of Hope brings together more than 400 leaders and influencers in the family building community to “party for a purpose” and bring awareness to RESOLVE’s mission. Past Hope Award honorees include USA Today, Starbucks, Bill and Giuliana Rancic, The View, USA Today, National Public Radio, Self Magazine, CNN Anchor Alisyn Camerota, First Response ®, The Bob Woodruff Foundation, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

Ummm, and somehow little old me fits in here!? This is truly an honor!

So the hubs and I are off to NYC this weekend to celebrate how God has blessed me with this platform and how in the midst of the trials, He truly has brought joy.

James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”