How to Afford a Trip to Advocacy Day

For so many, infertility is more than a physical issue, it’s also a financial issue. Part of the reason RESOLVE invites advocates to come to Washington, D.C. is to help breakdown financial barriers impacting millions of Americans from building the family of their dreams.   

If you’re ready to be part of Advocacy Day, but worried about the travel costs, here are some tips: 

• Make it a road trip instead of flying. For those in the East Coast and Mid-west, gather a group and take turns driving. Or, take a train or bus.
• Stay with a friend. Do you have a friend or family member in the DC area? Ask to crash with them.  
• Try something like Airbnb.com and get together with other advocates to share the cost or share a hotel room.  There’s a Facebook group for RESOLVE Advocates you can join once you register.  
• Be creative! There are many crowdfunding websites to help you raise money from family and friends.  Post on Facebook or Twitter that you will do something silly or crazy, if only you can raise $500 in the next 24 hours.  Tell them why you are raising money. People like to support a good cause!
• Ask your doctor’s practice to sponsor you. Infertility advocacy is very good for IVF clinics, so this is a cheap way for them to do some good through you and a win-win for all. 
• Get deductions. Don’t forget that your travel expenses should be tax deductible. 

And, some other ideas to combine expenses:

• Pair it with a mini vacation. Washington DC is beautiful in the spring. Use this as a good opportunity to explore a beautiful city. 
• Use Advocacy Day as meet-up. So many of us have met fellow infertility sisters online and bonded over many trials and tribulations. Have your group converge on DC and meet in person! What a great excuse to do so.