Tricia & Mark

Tricia and Mark’s journey to parenthood has been a profound testament to their resilience and love. They first met in 2008 and their relationship blossomed as they supported each other through demanding careers in pharmacy. After marrying in 2019, they eagerly anticipated starting a family, only to face the devastating reality of miscarriage. Their first pregnancy ended in heartbreak at eight weeks, followed by a series of losses and medical challenges including multiple miscarriages, a hysteroscopy, and a complex fertility diagnosis. Despite the overwhelming pain and frustration, their hope for a family never wavered.

In their pursuit of parenthood, Tricia and Mark have endured the emotional and financial toll of repeated IVF treatments and have explored options like gestational carriers to fulfill their dream. After a hopeful start with frozen embryo transfers and seeing a heartbeat for the first time, they faced another loss, intensifying their struggle. The financial burden of IVF and surrogacy, combined with the uncertainty of their fertility journey, has placed them in a challenging position where they must consider applying for financial assistance to continue their path toward building a family.

Their story is one of unwavering determination amidst adversity. "We are two loving, capable, and responsible people who are overjoyed by the possibility of bringing a child into this world," they share. "We’ve spent our young adult years working hard to build a life in which we can fully support and enrich the lives of our future children." Their dedication and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges make them a compelling candidate for support, as they continue to hold onto hope for their future family.

They are recipients of the 2023 Penelope Grant.