Family That Overcame Infertility Awarded Educational Grant as Winner of Ferring Pharmaceuticals' 2014 Heart to Heart Video Contest

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Following years of trying to expand their family, Lisa and James Park of Raleigh, NC were named the winning family in Ferring Pharmaceuticals' 2014 Heart to Heart Video Contest. This marks the tenth year Ferring has provided educational grants through patient contests, giving parents who have struggled with infertility the chance to win thousands of dollars for their child's education by sharing their story.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7444651-ferring-pharmaceuticals-heart-to-heart/

Lisa and James' rollercoaster journey to parenthood included multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and a frozen embryo transfer. They hope that by sharing their story and video, they can help raise awareness about infertility and provide hope for others facing similar struggles.  You can view Park family's full video at www.hearttoheartcontest.com.

"We couldn't have made it through our journey to parenthood without the support of our friends and family, and are so thankful for the opportunity to share our story with others to let them know they are not alone," said Lisa Park. "Maintaining hope during tough times is critical, and every day we spend with our daughter we are so happy we never gave up on our dream of being parents."

Infertility affects up to 15 percent of reproductive-aged couples worldwide and about 7 million women and their partners in the U.S.[1],[2] This year's contest theme, "Have Heart, Share Hope" focused on breaking the silence around infertility and giving others hope through the difficult experience.

The contest saw record numbers of participation this year with over 7,000 individuals participating in the public voting period that ultimately named the Park family the winners. As a result, they will receive $10,000 that will go toward the education of their daughter, Anneliese. Each of the four runners-up will also receive a $4,000 educational fund for their children.

"As part of this contest, and the work Ferring does to help patients through their journey, we see so many families struggle with infertility," said Nick Hart, Business Unit Head for U.S. Reproductive Health for Ferring. "Openness and encouragement, like that provided by Lisa and James, can go a long way in helping to break the stigma associated with fertility issues and we are grateful that they were willing to share their story."

The Heart to Heart Video Contest is one of several Ferring initiatives – like the HeartBeat Program and IVF Greenlight – that provide support to patients facing infertility. For more information on Ferring's patient programs, visit www.ferringfertility.com. To learn more about the Heart to Heart Video Contest or view the Park family's story, visit www.hearttoheartcontest.com.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, gastroenterology, infertility, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopaedics, and urology. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464); visit www.FerringUSA.com. 

[1] World Health Organization. "Mother or nothing: the agony of infertility." 2010. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2010; 88 (12) 877-953. Available at: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/12/10-011210/en/.

[2] ReproductiveFacts.org. "Quick facts about infertility." From the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Available at: http://www.reproductivefacts.org/detail.aspx?id=2322.

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SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.