We feel blessed to have an entirely adopted family. It’s not what we planned at first, but the Lord has made it clear to us. Infertility has tracked us since our marriage over 7 years ago, but now we love the new mission He sent us. That’s why we want to enlarge our family by rescuing babies from embryo freezers.
To backtrack a bit, let’s talk about Benedict. His name means “Blessed” in Latin. That is indeed what he is! We love him so much it’s ridiculous, but it wasn’t an easy process to adopt him. When he joined us in May 2021, the cost was almost $60,000, paid for by heaps of donations from friends, our own savings, and over 2 years of planning and hard work. I don’t think people realize how difficult adoption has become.
How could we do that again? It’s almost impossible to go through that again. That’s why we looked into embryo adoption, an alternative to infant adoption, but equally necessary. There are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos “left over” from IVF. These are some of the unwanted babies almost no one knows or cares about.
Lucy saw light for the first time in September 2023, when a successful embryo adoption turned to a successful birth 9 months later. She is so beautiful that we just watch her for hours!
Of course we want all of her siblings to join us too. The problem is that, although embryo adoption is cheaper than infant adoption, it’s still a lot more expensive than the way most people add children to their families. That’s why we need to fundraise again. We figure that in spite of the annoying aspect of asking for money again, it’s not as big a burden for people as it would be to carry one for 9 months. A little donation is a great way to help in the rescue operation.
Even better, your donations will be matched! Every dollar you donate gets doubled! A great non-profit organization, Lifesong for Orphans, as well as We Care for Orphans, have both generously contributed matching grants equalling $5,000. This means that we can raise $10,000 toward the adoption for only half that amount donated by you.
Where, exactly is the money going? The most expensive part is the $9,300 going to Donor Nexis, who keeps the embryos. The HRC Fertility Clinic charges $4,000 for the embryo transfer. An extra $1,000 goes for the medications. This does not include all the travel expenses we pay. We should note that no money goes to the biological parents and no money supports IVF. This all adds up to over $15,000 for the adoption.
We also ask that you pray for us and for the general awareness in our country of frozen embryos. This creation & freezing of “extras” should not be happening. But it is, and we are trying to do something about it.
May God reward you!
Gerard, Celine, Benedict & Lucy
STRIPE charges an online processing fee (2.2% +.30 USD per transaction)*. Your donations will be decreased by this amount. You may also send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Toenjes 11184”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Lifesong has been blessed with partners who underwrite all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.
- In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong for Orphans. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
- Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request.
- *3.5% fee for donations given with an American Express card