The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund has an incredible mission: to advocate for infertility education and awareness and remove financial barriers by granting monetary awards to couples who require fertility treatments to have their own bundle of joy. We have loved getting to know Samantha’s wonderful team and mission – she shared with us her infertility journey, a path she and her husband are still traveling as they continue trying for their second child. The fund was created out of the personal understanding of infertility and the pain it brings paired with seeing others unable to pursue parenthood because of the costs associated with the diagnosis. Check out our interview to learn more about the Bundle of Joy Fund, its generous founders and how rewarding it is for them to help so many intended parents finance their journey.
The Busch Family
Like many couples when starting to try to have a family, we were young and naïve and full of hope. We were both very healthy and at the prime ages of 25 and 26, never thought that we would have any issues having our own child. The first few months were very exciting, and I wasn’t very worried as I had been on birth control for a while. However, after six months I was starting to lose my patience and began doing at-home ovulation kits. More months and more failed pregnancy tests went by and when you’re trying to conceive, each month is agonizingly long.
Finally after the year mark, after experiencing some health concerns, my OB/GYN finally ran some tests on me and quickly found out that I had PCOS. From there, I was put on five rounds of Clomid which did nothing, because unfortunately no one ever suggested that my husband be tested as well. This was a number of years ago before infertility was talked about so openly, which I’m so grateful for it now, but back then we really didn’t know what questions to ask.
After a year and a half we finally went to a fertility clinic, the REACH clinic in Charlotte, NC, where it was quickly confirmed that I had PCOS along with Kyle having a low sperm count and motility issues. They recommended we do IVF which we did and had our amazing son Brexton who is our world! A few years later, we decided to try again and unfortunately experienced a miscarriage and a failed cycle followed by a failed surrogate cycle, and we now just completed another round of egg retrieval to hopefully be able to try again soon.
Found the gestational carrier!
The Bundle of Joy Fund was created out of the very personal understanding of the emotional, physical, and financial strains that couples face when dealing with infertility. I remember hearing stories from others and seeing the dismayed looks on patients’ faces when we were at the clinic when they understood the huge costs associated with the procedures. It hurt me to my core that money was in the way of them becoming parents, and Kyle and I knew that God placed it on our hearts to go through all of this in order to help other people.
Mission Statement:
The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund is dedicated to advocating for infertility education and awareness and removing financial barriers by granting monetary awards to couples who require fertility treatments to have their own bundle of joy.
There’s so many wonderful memories of surprising couples and seeing the weight visibly lifted off their shoulders. My favorite is when we do surprises outside of the REACH clinic and surprise people at work or in their daily lives. One that comes to mind is a couple that were both active members in their community and had so much love and support. When we reached out to the grant recipient’s friend she told us she would help us put a small group together to surprise the couple with their grant. A small group to her was the entire small town, and there was almost 200 of us packed into the back room of a local restaurant in town that everyone hung out at. When they arrived and were brought to the back there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Helping intended parents with the costs associated with an infertility diagnosis
The amazing women in this infertility community really helped me find my voice. They have been my supporters, long-distance friends, and therapists and have been with me along every step of our journey. They inspired me to be confident and to use the platform that I have to break the stigma surrounding infertility in order to educate and empower other couples facing similar issues.
I am very excited for what 2021 holds as my book launch is on March 30. It has been many years in the making. I started journaling as a form of therapy back in 2014, when we first started trying and many of those excerpts have made their way into the book. I’m excited to be able to share a very raw and candid account of our journey in hopes that it will inspire and help others as they go through the same things. I’m also excited at the possibility to make Brexton a big brother. We recently just completed the egg retrieval process and are currently awaiting the results.
Transfer Day!
My biggest advice would be to get testing early and upfront to know the cards that you’re playing with. Nowadays there are many at home kits, but a simple blood test, ultrasound and sperm sample will at least help you know if there’s an underlying issue. I also like to tell couples to do their research and find a clinic that they’re comfortable with – that you will be spending a lot of time there and with those that work there so you really have to be confident in them.
Thank you so much, Samantha, you’re offering an amazing combination of support, information and inspiration to so many intended parents while navigating your own journey.
Intended parents, look out for Fighting Infertility: Finding My Inner Warrior Through Trying to Conceive, IVF, and Miscarraige, out on March, 30! You can also learn more about financing your journey at www.bundleofjoyfund.org and follow @bundleofjoyfund on Instagram for helpful advice, updates on the fund and more!