Erin Lavery, a 23-year-old cancer survivor from Cambuslang, Scotland, is drawing attention to the significant challenges faced by young women navigating infertility after cancer treatment. Lavery was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 21, following a prolonged period during which her symptoms had been overlooked. This distressing experience, marked by urgent treatments, is now leading her to face hefty costs associated with preserving her fertility.
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In August 2024, Lavery’s journey commenced with her diagnosis, which required immediate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, preventing her from taking steps to freeze her eggs. Egg preservation is a procedure typically funded by the NHS if conducted prior to treatment, but Lavery’s circumstance left her without that option. As a result, she is now confronted with a bill of over £10,000 for the egg freezing process.
Reflecting on her tumultuous experience, Lavery stated, “I can’t describe the emotions it’s brought up going through this. It’s already isolating being a young person going through cancer, but infertility as well; it doesn’t need to be this difficult.” She believes that if funding is provided for fertility preservation before cancer treatment, this support should extend beyond treatment as well.
Despite the emotional and financial challenges, Lavery remains hopeful about her future. Earlier this year, she discovered that it was still possible for her to preserve her eggs. “I always wanted to be a mum, so as soon as I could begin those investigations, that’s what I did,” she remarked. However, the realisation that she would have to bear the financial burden alone has taken an emotional toll on her.
Lavery, who works as a nail technician, expressed gratitude for the support she has received from friends and family, enabling her to move forward in freezing her eggs. However, she is acutely aware of those who do not have such support systems and may struggle to gather the required funds. “It’s so disheartening. I’m now at this stage where I’m recovering and getting myself back, and to be hit with this feels huge. Fighting for funding and trying to change this is exhausting,” she reflected.
Raising awareness through her social media channels, Lavery is advocating for reforms to what she describes as outdated fertility policies that disproportionately affect women like herself. She pointed out that there is a gap in consideration for policies regarding fertility preservation for cancer survivors. “These policies need a second look,” she asserted. “If I need to be the one to change that, I’m going to do it. It’s upsetting so many cancer survivors find themselves in this situation and are left on their own to navigate it.”
Lavery’s advocacy has not gone unnoticed, with her story prompting action from the Scottish government, which has pledged to review existing IVF services. Public Health Minister Maree Todd acknowledged Lavery’s efforts, stating, “Guidance on fertility preservation has been developed by clinical experts and makes clear that special consideration by health boards should be done on a case-by-case basis.” She further commended Lavery for her strength and resilience in sharing her journey with the public.
As Erin continues to grapple with the financial and emotional strains of her situation, she hopes that her efforts will lead to broader changes that benefit not just herself, but all cancer survivors facing similar challenges. Her story underscores the pressing need for comprehensive support for fertility preservation in the wake of cancer treatment, highlighting the complexities of navigating life after such a significant health battle.
Lavery’s resolve to use her platform for advocacy may inspire others in similar situations, sparking vital conversations around healthcare policies and their impact on young people’s futures. As she works tirelessly to ensure that her voice is heard, she remains determined to fight not only for her own right to family planning but for the rights of countless others like her.