Theresa, Canadian Intended Parent in Manitoba, Canada

Explain your reasons for wanting a surrogate/donor:

My husband and I love kids and have been trying to grow our family, since we were married. I am a childhood cancer survivor, and underwent extensive treatment as a teen, for 5 years, including chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. I survived and am cancer free, celebrating 20 years this year! I am stronger because of this experience, unfortunately, a terrible reality of the treatment that I had as a teenager is that we are unable to have children. Family is so important to us, and we have strong family relationships with our parents and siblings, as well as extended family throughout Canada. We also have relatives overseas in Europe and Hong Kong! We both have experienced challenging life events. In high school my husband was hospitalized and diagnosed with type two diabetes. We both would not be here today if it were not for the love and support of family. Life is a gift and an amazing miracle that has value because of the people that we share it with. We want to share our love and journey in life with a child/children of our own. We know that there are so many incredible, amazing woman who are willing to give of themselves to help others in fulfilling their dreams of parenthood, and we hope and pray that we find the answer in you.

How would you best describe yourself(s):

I am kind, patient, empathetic, intelligent. I have many hobbies including baking, gardening (outdoors and indoors), painting, arts and crafts and food photography, and my husband and I both love to cook together. We are creative and imaginative; we enjoy hosting dinner parties with friends and playing board games. My husband is smart, caring, playful, insightful, practical, and he can always make me laugh.

Use this space to communicate a letter to potential Surrogates/Donors:

Dear Surrogate Mother, Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for the grace in your heart that lead you to the path of surrogacy. Through our own long journey, we know that it takes a very special type of person to give of themselves as a gestational carrier. My husband Jonathan and I are married for ten years and have a beautiful home and life together. The only piece that is missing is a child/children. We both love kids, and always dreamed of having children as part of our family. I am a certified elementary school teacher and although I am not currently employed as an educator, I have worked as a teacher for 4 years. I also have over ten years’ experience working with school aged children in tutoring, childcare and volunteer settings. Jonathan has a deep understanding of family systems through his work with children and families for over 13 years. I imagine the immeasurable joy of holding our baby in my arms, the long nights, and the wonder and pride in the little firsts, (first tooth, word, step). I can see our toddler standing at the counter rolling cookies with me and playing LEGO blocks on the floor with Dad. Our child will be so loved! Having children is a special gift that we do not take for granted. Jon and I have been trying to grow our family for over ten years and this experience has been a continuous test to our emotional, and spiritual strength, and marriage. We have explored other options including fostering to adopt and we are also on multiple local adoption wait lists. We live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and we are currently working with The Toronto Institute of Reproductive Medicine,(Repromed) and have multiple healthy embryos. We are somewhat flexible to work with clinics in other Canadian provinces. We are looking for a compassionate, caring, and loving, Canadian surrogate who will cherish and nurture our precious child, from conception through birth. We also hope that we can continue in this relationship together with you, as the child grows. We would love to meet you and share our story with you further. Please reach out to us, if you would like to help us in this incredible journey! We can’t wait to meet you!!!