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Center For Surrogacy & Egg Donation Inc.

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It took a village. Three women built one. 🩷

In 2020 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer before I’d had the chance to become a mom. Treatment meant IVF, one embryo, and the news I’d need a surrogate — at a cost of $150,000, with none of the financial support oncology patients deserve.

So two other survivors, Victoria Raphael and Ann Palmer, and I googled how to start a nonprofit, filled the chip dip at our own fundraisers, and bootstrapped A Chance For Life from nothing.

My son, Chance, arrived in December 2023 — months after we awarded our first grant.

This summer, our first grant recipients, Rusty and Christina, welcomed their daughter Stella after a two-year wait for the right surrogate. Every dollar donated helped make that happen.

We were three women who turned pain into purpose. And we won’t rest until every woman gets her Chance.

Donate at www.achanceforlife.org or at the link in bio and join our village. 🩷

#AChanceForLife #BreastCancerAwareness #Surrogacy #JoyMining #MotherhoodAfterCancer

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Our annual summer trip with our angel surrogate and her babies just concluded. As always, our big blended family had an amazing time having adventures and spending precious quality time with each other.

In light of the recent headlines surrounding surrogacy in the US, it’s important to show what the majority of surrogacy journeys can look like here. Those of us that needed the help of a surrogate to have a baby due to infertility have worked tirelessly to show that this is not renting a womb or buying a baby. Is it a complex process with many variables? Of course. Can things go wrong? They certainly can, nothing in life is guaranteed.

But I dare you to tell me that this isn’t a miracle at play? That more love in the world can’t heal the dark parts. That more families desperate and able to raise children isn’t a gift to our future generations of humans. Surrogacy is love and I am so grateful to my angel Whitney for all of it❤️

#surrogacyjourney #surrogacyislove #mychance #fertilityjourney #sarrahstrimelbentley

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Sh*t People Say: Surrogacy Edition

Yes, I have been told this more times than I can count. BUT.. I give so much grace on this one because surrogacy is still such a misunderstood and relatively rare thing, contrary to the hot button headlines.

FOR THE RECORD: We all want to carry our own babies, trust me (I mean I can’t speak for ALL but you get the idea). For those of you that aren’t familiar with my story, I had breast cancer and couldn’t carry my one embryo made before chemotherapy. I literally stay up some nights and actually ask Claude to make me a pregnant image of myself, as I never got to have the dream pregnancy shoot (along with the entire experience of course) it’s a very masochistic thing to do, but it happens🙏🏻

Forever grateful to our angel @whitsimone_ for carrying Chance with all the love that I would have and giving me the chance to be Chance’s mama❤️

Ok give it to me…. What’s the wildest thing you have been told as an intended parent?

#surrogacyjourney #surrogacyislove #fertilityjourney #womenshealthadvocate #sarrahstrimelbentley

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As I step into a new chapter, I can’t help but reflect on the people who made this journey so meaningful. Thank you, CSED, for your kindness, support, and for believing in me. I’ll always be grateful for the families, friendships, and memories we’ve shared. 💗

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Baby hiccups @csedinc

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Chance will know his story. He will know the beautiful sacrifice Whitney made for our family. He will know his mama’s brave journey with breast cancer and blind belief that he would arrive earth side. He will have questions. He will get answers. He will know and love his “bonus” family.

#surrogacyislove

#fertilityjourney #breastcancerawareness #mychance #sarrahstrimelbentley

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30 weeks pregnant and my most valuable coworker right now is… an exercise ball. 😂

Because apparently “sitting professionally” is no longer in my third trimester job description.

Bouncing between clients, emails, and hip-opening labor prep one shift at a time 🤍 Baby and my pelvis are both thankful.
@csedinc
#SurrogatePregnancy #30Weeks #ThirdTrimesterLife #ExerciseBallPregnancy #WorkingMama SurrogateUpdate

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When you have gone through infertility, these simple moments are the ones you will hold onto for the rest of your one precious life🧡

We only had one embryo, one Chance. Every milestone , every moment in this parenthood journey I hold onto with my whole heart. We won’t get to do this twice.

Sometimes I get annoyed when people say “JUST one”. Just? I say “THE one” Because he’s my one and only. My everything. I know one day he will outgrow his daddy’s shoulders and my arms, but for now, I’m in this moment with every part of my mama heart and so damn grateful

#morethan #niaw #fertilityjourney #mychance #sarrahstrimelbentley

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Honored to be showcased in such a meaningful light by @andovermanews and Rosemary. This story is so close to my heart, and I’m incredibly grateful to Rosemary for capturing it so beautifully. Thank you for sharing my journey and helping tell a story that means so much to me ❤️ @mandt_bank @csedinc

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Three years ago today, we unfroze a little Day 7 AC embryo in Midtown Manhattan. Our angel surrogate, Whitney, and I did everything we could to prepare for a miracle. We even painted our nails the same shade of Essie Blue.

Yesterday, my toddler was hunting for eggs and breaking into wishing fountains. Whitney and I were texting family photos back and forth.

If the road you are on is a little bumpy and you don’t quite know where you are headed, do everything you can to prepare for your miracle to be called in too. Anything can happen with a little love, science, and faith.

#surrogacy #surrogacyjourney #mychance #joymining #sarrahstrimelbentley

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On the last few days of 2025, I’m reflecting on the last 5 years. Heartbreaking, miraculous, gut wrenching, life affirming, radically healing, burn it to the ground releasing, no limit loving, prayer filled soul shaking devotion, the impossible made possible, and life LIVING.

You couldn’t have written it. Some chapters I’d rather not relive. Some finally got the rewrite they have been needing. And there are so many chapters to come.

2026, we don’t just survive we THRIVE

#2026goals #my2025exitsong #yearofthehorse #joymining #sarrahstrimelbentley

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