Nurses raise funds to help cancer patients preserve fertility pre-treatment

For many young cancer patients, the devastating diagnosis not only brings fears about survival but also concerns about their future fertility.

In Saskatchewan, a group of dedicated oncology nurses have stepped up to address this overlooked aspect of cancer treatment by creating the Prairie Cancer Fertility Preservation (PCFP) fund.

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Formed in 2022, PCFP is a nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients afford sperm and egg freezing, which are not covered under the province’s healthcare system.

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Saskatchewan saw 2,240 new cancer diagnoses between 2018 and 2022 for individuals aged zero to 44.

The idea for the initiative came from registered nurse Lierin Baerg, who witnessed firsthand the emotional toll that infertility has on their patients.

“Cancer takes so much from people and for some, that includes the ability to have children in the future,” said Baerg, who has also experienced infertility herself. “We want to ensure that no one has to choose between their treatment and the hope of having a family one day.”

Four oncology nurses founded the Prairie Cancer Fertility Preservation. From L-R: Lierin Baerg, Dominique Paulgaard, Jessica Smith, and Taylor Huang. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Addressing an overlooked need

Cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiation, can severely impact fertility. While sperm cryopreservation for men costs around $500, egg retrieval and preservation for women can exceed $8,000.

Without financial assistance, many young patients face an impossible choice between urgent cancer treatment and the possibility of future parenthood.

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PCFP has already helped seven patients access fertility preservation services, with an eighth application currently in progress.

“Even just covering part of the costs can make a huge difference for these families,” said co-founder Dominique Paulgaard. “We’ve seen firsthand how much of a relief it is for patients to know they have options.”

Jessica Smith and Taylor Huang are two of the co-founders of Prairie Cancer Fertility Preservation, working at Royal University Hospital (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

A call for provincial coverage

Despite the organization’s success, Baerg and Paulgaard stress fertility preservation for cancer patients should not be left solely to charities and individual donations.

Other provinces have implemented funding for fertility preservation, but Saskatchewan remains behind in offering government support.

Currently, Saskatchewan and Alberta are the only provinces offering no IVF coverage.

With Saskatchewan seeing more than 6,000 cancer diagnoses in 2024, Baerg said this needs to change.

“Our ultimate goal is for fertility preservation to be covered as part of cancer treatment,” said Baerg. “No one should have to worry about affording these procedures while fighting for their life.”

“Our ultimate goal is for fertility preservation to be covered as part of cancer treatment,” said Lierin Baerg, pictured with Dominique Paulgaard. “No one should have to worry about affording these procedures while fighting for their life.” (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Community support and fundraising

The organization relies entirely on donations and fundraising efforts to sustain its work.

Over the past year, PCFP has hosted silent auctions, yoga nights, bottle drives and walks.

Their upcoming event, a Blues Night at The Glen at Crossmount on March 15, aims to be their biggest fundraiser yet. It features live music, charcuterie and a silent auction with prizes such as Keith Urban concert tickets and gift certificates to local businesses.

“The more awareness we raise, the more people we can help,” Baerg emphasized. “We hope this event will allow us to continue offering support to patients who need it.”

With continued support, the Prairie Cancer Fertility Preservation fund hopes to bring life-changing relief to more patients across the province, ensuring that cancer does not take away their dreams of a future family.