NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve lucky families won Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s national 2006 My Little Miracle Essay Contest for their dramatic, heart-warming stories of the births of their ‘little miracles,’ children born with the help of Ferring’s family of fertility treatments. The third annual contest celebrated the birth of children made possible through Ferring’s BRAVELLE(R) (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR(R) (menotropins for injection, USP) or REPRONEX(R) (menotropins for injection, USP). The winners were announced at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in New Orleans, October 21-25, 2006.
The grand prize winner, Julie Dickason, of China Township, MI, will receive $10,000 for an education fund for her six-month-old son, Tyler, conceived after a 10 year struggle with infertility. The couple was determined to have a child in spite of medical barriers and military separations. Thanks to the wonder of fertility treatments, Julie and her husband David are now the proud parents of a ‘little miracle.’
“We received so many heartwarming, inspirational stories that it was hard to choose a winner,” said Wayne Anderson, president, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “But Julie and David’s story of overcoming major challenges, and their determination to give birth had a profoundly happy ending, and we are delighted that our treatments played a role in their success. The abundance of moving stories we received fuel our ongoing commitment to providing the most effective treatments for families struggling to achieve parenthood.”
“I’m thrilled that I was chosen as the grand prize winner,” said Julie Dickason. “I know that there are many other women out there who are struggling to conceive a child. I feel blessed to have had a child and now we have a head start on his education, thanks to this wonderful program from Ferring.”
Julie’s story spans approximately 10 years of navigating through medical issues and military separations. In 1999 Julie’s husband, David, underwent a vasectomy reversal and in the following year was sent to Korea while Julie lived in Fort Polk, LA. In 2001, David was sent to Kosovo and Julie was simultaneously diagnosed with fibroid tumors. The doctor told her she would need an immediate hysterectomy but Julie was unwavering in her commitment to have children. After careful consideration of her options, Julie found a doctor who was receptive to removing the tumors without performing a hysterectomy. When her treatment was complete, Julie underwent unsuccessful insemination treatments. Finally, with the help of David Magyar, D.O. at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Clinton Township, MI, she decided to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and was prescribed BRAVELLE(R) and MENOPUR(R). Julie developed four viable eggs, three of which were fertilized and transferred to her uterus. On April 13, 2006, Julie and David welcomed their son Tyler into their family. In her essay, Julie speaks of her unrelenting desire to become pregnant:
“I was determined to overcome each obstacle and even now I look back at our journey and wonder in awe that we stayed true to the belief that we could have a baby. I delivered my son by C-section six weeks early after undergoing a very difficult pregnancy. I am thankful I went with my instincts, even though I was considered a high-risk pregnancy due to my age and medical history. My husband and I now have a healthy baby boy and we enjoy watching Tyler grow every day.”
“I am so happy to have contributed to Julie and David’s dream of becoming parents,” said Dr. Magyar. “Their journey was long and arduous -- now they have a beautiful baby boy and a substantial start to his college education. We at the Center for Reproductive Medicine are proud to be a part of Julie and David’s ‘little miracle.’”
Other Winners
Li Ren-Kaplan, of Gainesville, FL is the runner-up and will receive $2,500 for an education fund for her seven-month-old son, Max. Ten honorable mention winners from around the country will each receive a $500 education fund.
About BRAVELLE(R), MENOPUR(R) and REPRONEX(R)
BRAVELLE(R) (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR (R) (menotropins for injection, USP) and REPRONEX(R) (menotropins for injection, USP), like all gonadotropins, are potent substances capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including OHSS (incidence of 6.0%, 3.8% and 3.5%, respectively), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, in women undergoing therapy for infertility.
The treatments are marketed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., a world leader in naturally occurring protein hormones. Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment, including the risk of multiple births and adverse reactions, should prescribe these medications. Like other products for ovarian stimulation, treatment with BRAVELLE(R), MENOPUR (R) and/or REPRONEX(R) may result in multiple gestations.
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company, markets BRAVELLE(R), MENOPUR(R), REPRONEX(R) and NOVAREL(R) (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients. Ferring also offers the Q*CAP(TM), the first and only needle-free reconstitution device, for use with its fertility treatments.
Ferring’s line of orthopaedic and urology products includes EUFLEXXA(TM), hyaluronic acid for pain from osteoarthritis in the knee. Other products include ACTHREL(R) (corticorelin ovine triflutate for injection) for the differential diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome and DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and primary nocturnal enuresis.
The Ferring Group specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology and infertility. For more information, call 888-337-7464 or visit http://www.ferringusa.com or http://www.ferringfertility.com.
For full prescribing information for BRAVELLE(R), MENOPUR(R) or REPRONEX(R), please contact Andrea Preston of Kovak-Likly Communications at 203-762-8833, or apreston@KLCpr.com.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Andrea Preston of Kovak-Likly Communications, +1-203-762-8833, orapreston@KLCpr.com