Although I am not a doctor nor a professional counselor, I have walked for a decade in those infertility shoes. I lead a monthly local and national RESOLVE Peer Led Support Groups and a monthly Pregnancy and Parenting After Infertility support Group (PAIGES). I enjoy connecting with the fertility community either virtually or in person. I attend Advocacy Day in Washington DC annually and have been Michigan’s State Captain for many years. I return calls on RESOLVE’s 24/7 Helpline and offer one -on-one support (by appointment only). I'd love to "see" you at one of my upcoming virtual events or... better yet... let's discuss the possibility of speaking at your event. Please email me at: sjohnstonadvocate@gmail.com. I look forward to working with you.
Please join us for a FASHION FOR FERTILITY Fundraiser to benefit RESOLVE through the Detroit, MI WAlk of Hope. Maureen Hennessey, Cabi Consultant and COMMUNITY Sponsor for the Detroit, MI Walk of Hope, will be donating her proceeds from the sales of this event to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. This is a virtual fundraiser and you will be able to see the entire Cabi spring Collection online. You won’t want to miss out on this FASHION FOR FERTILITY “FUN-draiser!” Click on this link to join in the fun: https://maureenhennessy.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/?showId=106430158
Add a *SpArKLe* of Hope to the Detroit, MI Walk of Hope. Cooky O’Connor, Opulenza Designs Representative and CHAMPION Sponsor of the Detroit, MI Walk of Hope, is donating her proceeds from the sales of her .925 Sterling Silver and Gemstone Collection to RESOLVE through the Detroit, MI Walk of Hope. This is a virtual event and will be online in the comfort of your own home. So, grab a glass of wine and have some fun! There are so many gift giving opportunities in the spring. What a great way to support local business, get your spring shopping done and support RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Click on this link to participate: https://opulenzadesigns.com/?party_id=162891
Please join us on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 12 NOON for the 5th Annual Detroit, MI Walk of Hope. Location: Tolan Playfield 601 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI. Our Missions Include: Our missions for the Walk of Hope include:
· Increasing Awareness about the disease of infertility. FACT: According to the CDC 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy.
· Providing Support for those who are struggling to build their families.
· Connecting people with resources that are available in the state of Michigan.
· Raising money for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association which provides free programs, support groups and advocacy for affordable access to care.
Please #FIND YOUR VOICE and come on out to support those who struggle to build their families! This is a fun-filled, family-friendly charity event. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, which provides FREE programs, support groups and affordable access to care for the infertility community. NO ONE NEEDS TO WALK ALONE!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
WHAT? RESOLVE’S ANNUAL NIGHT OF HOPE
WHEN? NOVEMBER 14, 2022 FROM 7:00-9:30 PM EST
WHERE? THE CAPITALE EVENT CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY, NY
WHY? TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS/BUSINESSES/CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE INFERTILITY COMMUNITY
HOW? THE NIGHT OF HOPE WILL BE LIVESTREAMED. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS REGISTER FROM THE LINK HERE.
I am so incredibly honored to be the recipient of RESOLVE’S 2022 NIGHT OF HOPE recipients. Click on the link below to learn more ABOUT RESOLVE’S NIGHT OF HOPE.
https://e.givesmart.com/events/rLr/page/hope-awards/
Aaron “Lucky” Li will be a guest speaker on June 20, 2022 for Sue Johnston’s local infertility support group! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! Meeting is from 6:30 - 8:30 PM EST. Message Sue Johnston for the details: 734-546-8589.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL DETROIT, MI WALK OF HOPE. CLICK ON THE LINK TO REGISTER AND FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS.
REGISTRATION FOR FEDERAL INFERTILITY ADVOCACY DAY IS NOW OPEN. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION. IF YOU ARE FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, PLEASE CONTACT SUE JOHNSTON @ theinfertilityadvocate.com
Federal Infertility Advocacy Day is June 17, 2021
I am the State Captain for Michigan and I am looking for more delegates to have their voices heard and participate. We will be holding Advocacy Day virtually this year, and it really only takes a portion of your day to make some scripted phone calls. You will be on a conference call with other Michigan delegates, and I will lead you through this process every step of the way. If you want more information about this impactful process that helps make it a little easier for all those who struggle to build their families, please contact me.
Call 866.NOT.ALONE (866.668.2566)
With the RESOLVE HelpLine, you are NOT ALONE. You can connect with a trained volunteer who has experience with infertility and can help you navigate the resources available to you. I am a Helpline Volunteer and I return calls left on the IVF/ART Helpline #3 on Mondays.
Join me every day from April 8-24 for National Infertility Awareness Week. I will be posting stories daily to promote NIAW and sharing information to educate the public and help inspire those who struggle to build a family. Please like and ask to follow me in my In-Fertility Advocate FB page. I will culminate this very important week with my virtual Detroit, MI Walk of Hope.
Please join us for the 2021 VIRTUAL Detroit, MI Walk of Hope on April 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM EST. This is the perfect way to inspire the fertility community, find support and connect with with others on their journey. For more information please visit: give.classy.org/DetroitWOH. Be sure to follow and like us on our Detroit, MI Walk of Hope FB group where the virtual WOH will be posted.
Due to Coronavirus, I am trying to connect people virtually through my Facebook group, which is called “The InFertility Advocate.” Please take a few moments and make a video of yourself on your phone. Give an overview of your infertility journey and let others know how infertility has impacted your life. Please keep your video to just a few minutes long so that you will be able to email it to me: sjohnstonadvocate@gmail.com.
During these times of social distancing, I am trying my best to help others to connect. Many feel so isolated when facing infertility. If you can share your story on my Facebook Group, you may be able to connect with someone and develop a cyber friendship. A story can go a long way to help keep us connected during these uncertain times. No one should have to navigate this difficult journey alone.
What? Tell Your Story Tuesday
When? Every Tuesday on my Facebook group, “The Infertility Advocate.”
Why? To help connect each other through Facebook and foster cyber connections.
Due to the Coronavirus, we will be holding ZOOM chats with the members of my support group. For more information regarding virtual chats, please feel free to email me @ sjohnstonadvocate@gmail.com
What? Monthly virtual ZOOM chats
When? The third Monday of every month from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.
Why? To connect with each other during these uncertain times of the Coronavirus. Infertility can be so isolating. Please do not let social distancing make you feel even more distant. Please message me for more information on these calls. We need each other now more than ever.
NOTE: RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will also be holding nationwide monthly support meetings. You can register for these meetings through the resolve.org website. (FYI… I am a support leader on the EST Zoom support meetings as well. You can request to be in my breakout session.)
I am pleased and proud to announce that in January of 2021 I have had enough “graduates” from my support group to be able to start a new Pregnancy and Parenting After Infertility Group which I have named PAIGES for short. The women who have joined this group have turned the page (not the same spelling) on their infertility journey and are now beyond their first trimester of their pregnancy or are new parents.
WHAT? VIRTUAL PAIGES GROUP MEETING
WHEN? The first Monday of every month from 7:30 - 8:30 PM EST
WHERE? Due to the pandemic we will be meeting virtually through the ZOOM platform. Please email or text me for the Zoom link (When we are at a safe point after the pandemic and people can meet again in person, we hope to be able to meet at parks and playgrounds.)
WHY? The tender weeks and months after a woman has conceived can be filled with anxiety, especially if she has suffered from miscarriage/s. She cannot feel the baby moving yet, and has a hard time feeling like it’s real. She also doesn’t fit in with the “Fertile Myrtle” crowd either. My group offers a safe place to share your story and connect with others who are in a similar situation. Pregnancy and Parenting After Infertility has a unique set of issues and we welcome you to find a connection with us in our PAIGES group.
Calling ALL Michigan residents who would like to participate in the VIRTUAL ADVOCACY DAY sponsored by RESOLVE in partnership with ASRM (American Society of Reproductive Medicine.) Please contact me @ theinfertilityadvocate.com to learn more about how you can lobby Congress to help pass or prevent bills that will directly impact those who struggle to build their families. MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
WHEN? June 17, 2021
RESOLVE is committed to hosting National Infertility Awareness Week 2020. With so many live events cancelled because of COVID-19, people with infertility and those struggling to build a family need support more than ever. Let’s use NIAW to raise our voices, talk about the issues facing this community and make sure we continue to support those most in need.
Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status you are, infertility doesn’t discriminate.
Together, we can change the conversation
It begins with being part of a national movement, National Infertility Awareness Week®. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families.
Please visit the RESOLVE website: www.resolve.org for more information and support.
Please join me for the first Detroit, MI WALK OF HOPE! Link arms with me as I co-chair my first ever infertility Walk of Hope, which will be held during Infertility Awareness Week!
NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS FAMILY!
What? Detroit, MI WALK OF HOPE
When? Coming September 2020
Where? Tolan Playfield: 601 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI
Why? To bring the infertility community together and provide support and resources for ALL who struggle to build their families. To Raise funds for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, which provides support, education, programs and advocacy, and affordable access to care for all people.
How? Click on the link: give.classy.org/detroitwoh , form a team, join my team (Sue Johnston The In-Fertility Advocate) or contact me: sjohnstonadvocate@gmail.com to become a sponsor.
PEER LED SUPPORT GROUP
What? Monthly peer-led RESOLVE fertility support meetings
When? The third Monday of every month from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where? The Brighton District Library 100 Library Dr.; Brighton, MI 48116
If you are new to the group and would like to attend, please contact Sue Johnston: sjohnstonadvocate@gmail.com
RESOLVE: THE NATIONAL INFERTILITY ASSOCIATE IS THE APRIL CHARITY OF THE MONTH AT "FINDING ROOTS" IN HOWELL, MI. PLEASE STOP BY THE STORE DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL TO PICK UP A COPY OF DETOURS: UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS OF HOPE CONCEIVED FROM INFERTILITY. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO RESOLVE!
THANK YOU!
SUE JOHNSTON
Dr. Molly moravek visits
Dr. Moravek, MD, MPH Director, Fertility Preservation Program and Assistant Professor from the University of Michigan Health System will be a guest speaker at our RESOLVE PEER LED SUPPORT GROUP in August. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
WHAT? Special guest Dr. Molly Moravek visits for open discussion of Assisted Reproductive Technology advances.
WHEN? Monday, August 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
WHERE? The Brighton District Library: 100 Library Dr; Brighton, MI 48116
RSVP: Please call Sue Johnston and let her know you will be attending. 724-546-8589
INFERTILITY ADVOCACY DAY: MAY 23, 2018. Join us and make your voices heard on Capitol Hill.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND PLAN TO ATTEND
WHAT: THE 4TH ANNUAL DETROIT, MI WALK OF HOPE.
WHEN? APRIL 30
@ 11:00 AM EST FOR THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM
@12:00 PM FOR THE MEET UP
WHERE? 601 MACK AVENUE, DETROIT, MI ON THE TOLAN PLAYFIELD
WHY? TO PROVIDE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO BUILD THEIR FAMILIES.