National Infertility Awareness Week & the RARE SOIL Project Website

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This week, April 24-30, 2011 is National Infertility Awareness Week. 

I didn't even know such a week existed until last night, and as soon as I found out, I knew that it was something that I wanted to showcase on my blogs. This is such an issue that is near and dear to me…there are so many myths surrounding infertility...I will tackle one of those myths in the next few days on my other website, Musings of L. Michelle.

Today's post is about this great website that I was recently made aware of and had the opportunity to briefly visit.

The Rare Soil Project

For over two years, the RARE SOIL Project has been working with African-American women and communities teaching about the impact of infertility and involuntary childlessness. The RARE SOIL Project works with women to help them overcome the shame and isolation associated with infertility.

The mission of the RARE SOIL Project is to offer hope, support, and information to African American women who are living childlessness not by choice (CNBC) as a result of infertility, and raise public awareness about the impact of infertility and involuntary childlessness, through education and advocacy. 

FROM THE RARE SOIL SITE:

• 7.3 million American women have had trouble conceiving a pregnancy or carrying a pregnancy to term
• 1 in 8 women and men are diagnosed with infertility

The RARE SOIL Project refers to infertility broadly, including all fertility impairments:

Infertility is a medical diagnosis given when a couple has not conceived a pregnancy despite trying for 12 months. 
Impaired fecundity is medical term when a woman experiences difficulties conceiving or bringing a pregnancy to term during their lifetime (i.e., recurrent miscarriages) 
Involuntary Childlessness is a chronic condition that occurs when a woman/couple desires to have genetic children, but cannot conceive, or maintain a pregnancy to birth.

Because I was just made aware of the site last night, I haven’t had an opportunity to through the site completely, but for what I have perused, I think it is an awesome tool.  If you suffer from issues surrounding infertility, or know someone that does, please go to this website or pass it on. I know that I will definitely be going through it more in detail in the next few days, and passing it on to some very dear blogger friends that are battling issues with conception. You can also find the RARE SOIL Project on Facebook, please click the link and "Like" the page.

Be blessed everyone and let's unite for awareness surrounding infertility!