We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pamela Hirsch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pamela below.
Hi Pamela, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When our 28 year -old daughter and her husband began trying to conceive, they endured more than 3 years of unsuccessful attempts at assisted reproduction…including 4 ivf’s (in vitro fertilization) each ending in miscarriage at 9 weeks. Finally, because our family was financially blessed, the couple turned to surrogacy…an astronomically expensive process costing more than $120,000. After the birth of their child, I questioned how others afford ivf or surrogacy which, many times, are not covered by medical insurance. Why was there no organization dedicated to helping those battling infertility.
I began researching online. Since I had owned a successful educational test prep company that had gone public, I was familiar with running a business…..although not a non-profit charity. In my investigating, I discovered a small number of groups, but none of them embodied the principals that I felt necessary — the ability to choose your own physician, not having to pay back a loan, awarding grants to same sex couples and singles as well as to heterosexuals, not having to live in a particular state.
Baby Quest started slowly, awarding two grants in March 2012. Since then, there has been a constant need for financial assistance for those wanting to start a family, but not having funds or insurance coverage for treatment. We have helped produce 149 babies and counting, awarding more than $2.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Running Baby Quest is a challenge that comes with amazing rewards.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Baby Quest accepts applications twice yearly and awards grants after each application cycle. Our latest round we were able to select 16 new recipients….several from southern California. We awarded our largest amount to date…$200,000. This was made possible because of increasing donations from individuals and other companies. We have established partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, children’s merchandise vendors, and others who want to ensure that those battling infertility will have access to hope.
The benefits that come with awarding grants are priceless. Donors are able to see exactly how their contribution has supported recipients.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Like the rest of the world, Baby Quest had to confront a huge obstacle in early 2020 when Covid shut down many fertility clinics. Donors were not thinking about how to help those battling infertility. Patients could not attend appointments and many were left “hanging” midstream in their procedures. There were far more issues of concern than infertility.
Despite the circumstances, Baby Quest kept going. We helped several patients who had been “abandoned” by their clinics, replacing medications they had used but now needed again to restart the process. We even continued to award grants – although fewer than previously.
Since Covid has waned, Baby Quest is back full force, awarding more grants and more funds than ever before.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media has been an important way in which Baby Quest has built a community. Nowadays, brochures and hard copies are almost archaic. We depend upon our followers to spread information. Initially, we started on FaceBook. We now have built up our Instagram followers and we have enlisted the support of ambassadors/influencers who promote our message.
In increasing awareness of Baby Quest on social media, we are also providing a beneficial resource of information on all aspects of infertility.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.babyquestfoundation.org
- Instagram: @babyquestgrants
- Facebook: Baby Quest Foundation
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelababyquest/
- Twitter: @babyquestgrants
- Youtube: Baby Quest Foundation