Are you thinking of growing your family through surrogacy? Join surrogacy advocate, Kevin Heeney (he/him), infertility doctor, Dr. Chloe Roumain (she/her), fertility lawyer, Michelle Flowerday (she/her) and Executive Director of Fertility Friends Foundation, Isabelle Lefebvre-Vary(she/her), for a conversation.

Questions? Get in touch at Glitterbug@The519.org

*For 2SLGBTQ+ families as well as all families who are committed to creating affirming and equitable spaces for all.*

Fertility Friends Foundation

Fertility Friends Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that offers grants to cover expenses associated with assisted reproduction such as IVF, egg and sperm donation, and gestational surrogacy.

Isabelle Lefebvre-Vary (she/her)

Isabelle Lefebvre-Vary (@fertilityfriendsfoundation) Executive Director – Fertility Friends Foundation Isabelle joined Fertility Friends Foundation in October 2021 and is delighted to be in a role that’s at the perfect intersection of her passions and experience. Isabelle had to deal first hand with infertility which made her more than aware of the financial and emotional struggles it leads to.

Kevin Heeney (he/him) Kevin joined Fertility Friends Foundation in February of 2023. Growing up as a gay man in Switzerland, the idea of one day having a family of his own seemed daunting, if not impossible. Moving to Canada where the laws and regulations allowed Kevin and his husband Alim access to surrogacy was life changing. Having two successful journeys took lots of planning, years of saving and a commitment to a process that, at times, would be exhausting. With his personal experience, Kevin understands the challenge of navigating finances, legal and various agency relationships that come with such a journey. He has remained a champion and advisor to others seeking advice on surrogacy, especially within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Kevin is excited to be a surrogacy advocate and contribute to the awareness of Fertility Friends Foundation’s mission amongst the 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond. He also helps drive fundraising efforts to support couples in need.

Kevin Heeney (he/him)

Kevin Heeney (@thehanjeeneys) Kevin joined Fertility Friends Foundation in February of 2023. Growing up as a gay man in Switzerland, the idea of one day having a family of his own seemed daunting, if not impossible. Moving to Canada where the laws and regulations allowed Kevin and his husband Alim access to surrogacy was life changing. Having two successful journeys took lots of planning, years of saving and a commitment to a process that, at times, would be exhausting. With his personal experience, Kevin understands the challenge of navigating finances, legal and various agency relationships that come with such a journey. He has remained a champion and advisor to others seeking advice on surrogacy, especially within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Kevin is excited to be a surrogacy advocate and contribute to the awareness of Fertility Friends Foundation’s mission amongst the 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond. He also helps drive fundraising efforts to support couples in need.

Dr. Chloe Roumain (she/her)

Dr. Chloé Roumain (@tripodfertility) Infertility, Gynecology, and Obstetrics Very early in life when she had chosen the path she would take as a career, Dr. Roumain determined that she wanted/needed to go into pro bono work in her native country of Haiti where the shortage of access to health care is tremendous. However, after completing her medical studies and specialization in Canada, Dr. Roumain was not able to practice in Haiti due to unforeseen circumstances. In her present work reality, Dr. Roumain found that there was inequality among her fertility patients which led to the creation of Fertility Friends Foundation.

Michelle Flowerday (she/her)

Michelle Flowerday (@flowerdayfertilitylaw) Fertility Lawyer LL.B Michelle is a passionate champion for couples facing infertility, for 2SLGBTQ+ people/couples seeking to start a family, for single people looking to grow a family alone, and for surrogates and donors assisting in the process. Michelle’s expertise includes drafting and negotiating agreements related to surrogacy, co-parenting, egg, sperm, and embryo donations, making court applications for declarations of parentage, and other legal issues related to third-party reproduction. Michelle works with clients in the greater Toronto area, across Canada, and internationally. She speaks at conferences on the topic of fertility and surrogacy law and provides legal advice to fertility clinics and hospitals on contract laws and compliance with Canadian assisted human reproduction laws and regulations. Michelle is actively involved in the third-party reproduction community, as a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, as a volunteer on fertility clinic ethics committees, and as an officer of the board of Fertility Friends Foundation. Michelle lives in Toronto with her spouse and three teenage children.

Register