What is the Capturing the Experiences and Decision-Making of Embryo Donation Project?
The ART of Infertility, which is co-directed by Dr. Maria Novotny, is partnering with EM•POWER invites those who have either donated embryos, discarded embryos, and/or used donated embryos to build their family to capture the experiences and/or decision-making process of embryo donation using photograph(s) and submitting a brief (100-250 word) narrative describing the experience and/or decision-making of embryo donation in the photo.

Photos and narratives submitted by October 1, 2020 will be shared in a virtual exhibit hosted on The ART of Infertility’s website during the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s annual conference (occurring in October 17-21, 2020). Photos and narratives submitted between October 2, 2020 – April 15, 2021 will be shared in a virtual exhibit hosted on The ART of Infertility’s website during National Infertility Awareness Week (occurring April 18-24, 2021).The intention of these virtual exhibits is that these photographs and images will provide greater insight into the decision-making process and experience of embryo donation – aiding those professional stakeholders who engage with embryo donation and/or those who are individually considering the options available for embryo donation, as a potential donor or as a recipient. This exhibit will be available to the public.

Please note, to participate in this project you must be at least 18 years of age or older and must fill out and return all necessary consent forms. Those submissions that do not return consent forms will not be considered for this project. Consent forms may be obtained by emailing photovoice@artofinfertility.org.

What are the benefits and risks of participating in this project?
You will benefit the embryo donation community by contributing a visual story that narrates complex decision-making and experiences involving embryo donation. You will be able to tell your own story related to your photograph(s), express your feelings and opinions. Ultimately, you are using photograph(s) and narrative(s) to encourage education and awareness around embryo donation.

What if I change my mind and do not want to share my photograph(s) and narrative(s)?
If at a later date, you do not wish to share your photograph(s) and narrative(s) with others, you may contact the project coordinator, Dr. Maria Novotny. Photograph(s) and all accompanying information will immediately be removed from the project data. There are no negative consequences for withdrawing from the project.

Who is coordinating and overseeing this project?
The project coordinator is Maria Novotny, PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Novotny is also the co-director of The ART of Infertility and a volunteer for EM•POWER.

KEY CONTACT INFORMATION

The person in charge of this study is Maria Novotny (Principal Coordinator) of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of English. If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding this study or you want to withdraw from the study his/her contact information is: novotnmt@uwm.edu If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact staff in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Institutional Review Board Office (IRB) at 414-662-3544 or irbinfo@uwm.edu