Ferring Celebrates Winners of 2010 My Little Miracle Essay Contest During National Infertility Awareness Week

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating National Infertility Awareness Week, April 24-30, 2011, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is honoring three lucky families who won its 2010 My Little Miracle Essay Contest for their inspirational stories about overcoming their struggle with infertility during their journey to parenthood.  The contest celebrates the birth of children who were conceived using Ferring's prescription products, MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) and/or BRAVELLE® (urofollitropin for injection, purified).  The grand prize winner, Jennifer Adams Buckhouse of Colorado Springs, CO, received a $10,000 education fund, the second-place contest winner, Deena Kobell of Philadelphia, received an education fund of $7,500 and the third-place winner, Kristin Bedinghaus of St. Petersburg, FL, won a $5,000 education fund.

The journey to parenthood for the grand prize winner, Jennifer Adams-Buckhouse was long and arduous.  After two failed pregnancies and a son who died in infancy, the U.S. Army couple's fierce determination to never give up on their dream of conceiving a child finally paid off.  Thanks to fertility treatments, Jennifer and her husband Todd are the proud parents of two little miracles.

"My husband and I were thrilled to learn that we were the grand prize winner of this year's My Little Miracle essay contest," said Jennifer.  "We hope families who are struggling to conceive will read our story and learn that there is hope.  We are truly blessed to have two beautiful children and now we have a head start on their education, thanks to this wonderful program from Ferring."

"In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, we want to reinforce our enduring commitment to the millions of couples who struggle to build a family, and encourage them to never give up their dream of achieving parenthood," said Joy Lewin, Business Unit Head, Reproductive Health, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.  "Through our essay contest, as well as our fertility treatments, patient support programs and ongoing research, we strive to help make parenthood a reality for more couples.  Now in the eighth year of this contest, each story we receive continues to convey a true message of hope and inspiration to others."

Jennifer's Story

"If I knew then what I know now about how difficult it would be to experience the joy of parenthood, I would not change a thing," writes Jennifer in her grand-prize-winning essay.  Jennifer and her husband Todd, both serving in the U.S. Army, endured a lot of pain and grief through their journey to parenthood.  After the heartbreak of two failed pregnancies and giving birth to a son, Noah Samuel, who died at 10-weeks from a terminal brain defect, Jennifer and Todd's steadfast longing for a child did not wane.

Inspired by her "tough-as-nails" 95-year-old grandfather, Jennifer was determined to continue the pursuit of parenthood.  "Even after my spirit was crushed from losing two pregnancies and a son, I DID NOT AND WOULD NOT GIVE UP."  This time, under the care of her reproductive medicine team at The University of Colorado Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine, she tried in vitro fertilization (IVF).  She used MENOPUR to help with follicle stimulation, which resulted in many healthy, viable eggs.  The procedure worked on the first try, and with great joy, the couple gave birth to twin girls, Moriah Jane and Delilah Nancy.

"Our hearts are filled with so much love and gratitude for our second and third miracles," wrote Jennifer.  "My advice to men and women who desire to become parents is to look at your medical history, develop a plan with your infertility specialists and then follow your heart.  If you put your trust in your doctor's medical advice for your situation and if the desire is burning in your heart to become a parent, THEN GO FOR IT. THERE MAY JUST BE A TINY MIRACLE IN YOUR FUTURE."

The 2011 My Little Miracle Essay Contest

Ferring announces the launch of its eighth annual My Little Miracle Essay Contest.  If you are a parent who has conceived using Ferring Pharmaceuticals' fertility products, you can win a $10,000 education fund to support your child's future.  Two other education fund prizes will also be awarded.  To be eligible, all you need to do is write a brief essay.  The topic is: If I Knew Then What I Know Now, explaining what advice you would give to other couples who are coping with infertility and how you would describe your success using BRAVELLE and/or MENOPUR as part of your treatment plan.  

Since announcing the first contest in 2004, Ferring has awarded more than $150,000 in education funds.

For contest details and an application, visit www.ferringfertility.com or call (203) 762-8833 and ask for the My Little Miracle Essay Contest representative.

About MENOPUR and BRAVELLE

MENOPUR administered subcutaneously (SC) is indicated for the development of multiple follicles and pregnancy in the ovulatory patients participating in an ART program.  BRAVELLE administered SC in conjunction with hCG is indicated for multiple follicular development (controlled ovarian stimulation) during ART cycles in patients who have previously received pituitary suppression.  BRAVELLE administered SC or IM, in conjunction with hCG, is indicated for ovulation induction in patients who have previously received pituitary suppression.

Important Safety Information

MENOPUR and BRAVELLE are contraindicated in women who have: a high FSH level indicating primary ovarian failure; uncontrolled thyroid and adrenal dysfunction; an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; sex hormone-dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs; abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin; ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary syndrome.  BRAVELLE is contraindicated in women who have the presence of any cause of infertility other than anovulation. MENOPUR is contraindicated in women who have prior hypersensitivity to menotropins or MENOPUR. BRAVELLE is contraindicated in women with a prior hypersensitivity to urofollitropins, purified. MENOPUR and BRAVELLE are not indicated in women who are pregnant.  BRAVELLE may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

MENOPUR and BRAVELLE should only be used by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems.  MENOPUR and BRAVELLE are potent gonadotropic substances capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) (overall IVF incidence of 3.8% for MENOPUR, 6.0% for BRAVELLE), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, in women undergoing therapy for infertility.  Serious pulmonary conditions and thromboembolic events have been reported with MENOPUR and BRAVELLE.  

Multiple pregnancies have occurred following treatment with MENOPUR and BRAVELLE.

The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) reported in IVF clinical trials (N=499) of MENOPUR were headache, abdominal pain, and nausea.

The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) reported in an IVF clinical trial and donor IVF study (N=150) of BRAVELLE SC were abdominal cramps and headache.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company.  Ferring Pharmaceuticals offers a line of products in the U.S. market.  They include: BRAVELLE (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR (menotropins for injection, USP), REPRONEX® (menotropins for injection, USP), NOVAREL® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP), ENDOMETRIN® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, 100 mg, LYSTEDA™ (tranexamic acid) tablets, FIRMAGON® (degarelix for injection), PROSED® DS (methenamine, phenyl salicylate, methylene blue, benzoic acid, hyoscyamine sulfate), DESMOPRESSIN, and EUFLEXXA® (1% sodium hyaluronate).

Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, and infertility.  For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit www.FerringUSA.com.

Please visit www.ferringfertility.com for Full Prescribing Information for MENOPUR and BRAVELLE.

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals