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Actress, writer and award-winning fertility advocate Kellee Stewart has become a well-known “egg advocate,” traveling across the country to normalize conversations around infertility, speak candidly about her egg-freezing experience and encourage others to celebrate their own journeys to parenthood. Evite partnered with her to create our Parenthood Journey category, a collection of invitations designed to honor Egg Showers, IVF showers, surrogacy showers, Rainbow Baby showers and adoption celebrations, and she sat down with us to share more about her personal journey.
What was the moment in your parenthood journey that prompted you to become an egg advocate and fertility warrior?
It was a moment of panic! When I go to the grocery store and buy a carton of eggs I always check the sell-by date. And it dawned on me that I never asked my fertility specialist if there was a “fertilize-by date” for my frozen eggs. So I rushed back to the clinic to get an answer, and once I calmed down, I realized there were so many people panicked about fertility just like I was. I moved into action. I became a self-proclaimed “egg advocate” that very same day. I didn’t want another person to be confused about their fertility potential and the options available to them. I set a goal to become a voice in the infertility community and encourage people from every walk of life to be proactive about their reproductive health. In most cases, we teach our youth how to avoid making a baby, but we don’t tell people what to do when conception is not working. There’s a severe lack of knowledge about reproductive health and practices in our society, so I set out to be a vessel of information, resources and advocacy.
In your experience, what has been the most difficult part of the process? What has been the most affirming and positive?
The most difficult part was learning how to accept that my start to motherhood didn’t happen as I dreamed it would. It was a Sunday, and I was 37 years old when I ended my seven-year relationship. By the following Wednesday, I was in the doctor’s office waiting to hear my fertility fate. Do I have any eggs left? Have I waited too long? Did I just give my best baby-making years to the wrong man? The answers to those questions were maybe, almost, DEFINITELY! My desire to have a child and my life circumstances were not on the same timeline. To say that reality has been difficult to embrace would be an understatement. However, what made it easier was that I was a good candidate to freeze my eggs…so I did. Going through IVF to retrieve 29 frozen eggs as a way to potentially build my family is a journey I’ll never regret.
What advice would you offer to people considering going to a fertility specialist? Any questions they should ask themselves or their doctor?
Your first trip to a fertility specialist is going to be scary. Don’t let fear stop you! You deserve to know the issues you’re facing along with the options available to you. Starting infertility treatments can be a stressful and emotionally draining process. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a support system in place to guide and nourish you along the way. Once you’ve begun the process, I suggest writing down your follow-up questions before each new appointment. We often leave the doctor’s office with unanswered questions because the journey itself can be daunting. I also recommend bringing a trusted partner, friend or loved one to be your health advocate and mouthpiece if needed. Be clear and realistic about your fertility goals and understand the road ahead may not always be smooth. However, as long as you’re being true to yourself, you’ll find renewed strength, and hopefully the result, you’re looking for.
What things do you wish people knew about fertility and the journey to parenthood that aren't discussed often enough?
I wish that people knew the truth about the underlying conditions that cause infertility. For instance, fifty percent of all infertility cases, when sperm and egg are trying to conceive, are due to male factor infertility. Although women are often the face of infertility, we must acknowledge that statistically, the male counterpart is equally affected. Additionally, I wish we all knew about and took part in fertility diagnostic testing to gain knowledge about ovarian reserve (on average) and/or sperm count. I wish the basic truths of reproductive health and the conditions that can affect it were taught just as regularly as sex education—if not more. If we understood the functions of our reproductive systems BEFORE conception becomes problematic, perhaps we’d be more prepared to choose our path should assistance be required.
Are there any words or phrases of support that stand out in your mind as being impactful/encouraging?
PARENTHOOD JOURNEY is currently my favorite phrase. This beautiful new category invites those that suffer in silence to come out of the shadows and celebrate their journeys. This is something that has never been done before. The Baby Shower, as we know it, was a tradition that started in the 1950s baby-boom era. The same medical conditions that caused infertility cases back then are the same conditions that we currently face. The difference is science has discovered ways to treat such ailments and created methods of assisted reproduction that give people a better chance to conceive. So, since millions will encounter infertility and use medical assistance to build their families, we can’t keep our traditions stuck in the 1950s. It’s time for the Baby Shower tradition to expand and include the millions of people that, up until now, have been left without recognition and support. Evite and I created PARENTHOOD JOURNEY because infertility deserves a shower too!
On the other side, what SHOULDN'T people say or do?
I say this with my full voice, if someone you know is on an infertility journey, never start a sentence with “Have you ever considered…?” Everyone challenged in their journey to parenthood has definitely considered all of their options. In fact, they’ve gone over it countless times with their doctors, trusted friends, online support groups, spouses and even themselves. These are sensitive topics that can often be triggering, so let the hopeful patient lead the way. You never know if someone just received discouraging news or is saddened because their friends keep getting pregnant when they are not. Instead, be a voice of encouragement, hope, and most importantly, understanding. This is where PARENTHOOD JOURNEY invitations can help. Sometimes we don’t know what to say. And sometimes there’s nothing you can say. But, most of the time a gathering of supportive loved ones showering someone with support will make them feel seen, heard and encouraged.
How can people support someone undergoing an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure?
You can support someone on the journey by simply being a non-judgmental ear that listens and a supportive shoulder to lean on. You can also educate yourself on what they may be going through by reading books and listening to podcasts on the topic. Our empathy grows when we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and gaining the knowledge of their experience will help you feel closer to the emotions they may encounter. And of course, if they’re the partying type, a PARENTHOOD JOURNEY-inspired shower can be helpful, whether you give it for someone or they throw one themselves.
What prompted you to throw yourself an Egg Shower?
Knowing my WORTH prompted me to throw an Egg Shower! I deserve it and so does everyone else that wants to celebrate their journey. I’ve gone to dozens of baby showers in my lifetime and spent thousands of dollars celebrating people’s pregnancies. Is my journey not as worthy of celebration because it’s delayed? Is someone not worthy to be showered with love and support because they’re challenged with infertility? I believe the journey is just as important as the destination. We have to start new traditions that meet us where we are as a society. Infertility treatments are not widely covered by insurance, leaving patients with the heavy burden of paying out of pocket. Well, the same way a new parent registers for baby gifts, a hopeful parent on the journey should register for the support they need to reach their goals. We all show up to celebrate the people we love, but until we normalize the different ways families are built, some of us are left out of the party. I created The Egg Shower and threw my own celebration because I refuse to be left out when I know millions of people are on the journey with me. Now I travel to fertility clinics across the U.S. hosting Egg Showers for doctors, patients and communities at large. Normalizing the conversations around infertility is my mission, and Evite has been the most incredible partner in the fight to make that happen.
For people who want to throw an Egg Shower, what are some tips you'd recommend?
Make your Egg Shower fun and memorable! I’m very cheeky, so I found jumbo syringes and filled them with jello shots (mine had vodka)! We played competition games like, “Design the best IVF bodysuit” for the hopeful baby to come. I also threw an Egg Shower with Laurel Fertility Care in California in which Dr. Collin B. Smikle M.D., Reproductive Endocrinologist attended and answered fertility questions for the guests. See if your doctor will come by as an added surprise guest to your shower! We had a photo booth with an egg chair and hashtag signs, including #EggShower, #IVFShower, #AdoptionShower and #FertilityShower. Use cakes shaped like eggs, fill jars with hopeful messages, create games and make videos that support the journey for the guest of honor. But no matter what, just remember, YOUR JOURNEY DESERVES A SHOWER TOO!
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What makes Evite SignUp Sheets different from other signup tools?
Developed hand-in-hand with community organizers, PTA presidents, parents and teachers, Evite's signup sheets are designed to make organizing volunteers a breeze. Here are a few ways SignUp Sheets are different than other signup tools:
- 100% free: SignUp Sheets are free to use.
- Ad-free: No popup ads ever! Our signup sheets remain clutter-free, keeping your volunteers focused on signing up.
- No extra login required: Seamlessly use your Evite account to create and manage your signup sheets, keeping all your events in one convenient location.
- Automatic reminders and notifications: Stay on top of your event with automated reminders and notifications for you and your participants. Perfect for busy parents, teachers and anyone juggling multiple commitments.
- Customization options: Tailor your signup sheets to your specific event, whether it's a school fundraiser, potluck, volunteer opportunity or team activity. Add custom tasks, time slots and requirements for smooth coordination.
- User-friendly experience: Our intuitive interface makes creating and sharing signup sheets simple for everyone, regardless of tech experience.
- Real-time updates: Get instant notifications whenever someone signs up or makes a change, so you always know where things stand.
Choose Evite SignUp Sheets for the easiest, most streamlined way to get volunteers and signups for your next event!
What is a SignUp Sheet?
Signup sheets are the perfect way to streamline scheduling, volunteer recruitment, class parties, snack duty, potluck organization, parent-teacher conferences and more! You can think of them as your digital assistant for coordinating events and tasks and ensuring that your event is a success.
Evite SignUp Sheets offers parents, teachers and event planners customizable online forms that organizers and volunteers can access and update effortlessly. Volunteers can choose their preferred time slots, sign up for tasks or indicate what they'll bring to the event. It only takes organizers a few minutes to create a signup sheet and send it out with a shareable link, so they can get the word out via text, email or social media—whichever way they prefer!
Long story short, SignUp Sheets save everyone involved tons of time, avoid scheduling headaches and ensure everything runs smoothly before and during the event.
How do I create a SignUp Sheet?
Creating a signup sheet has never been easier than with Evite! Here’s how to create a sheet that’s sure to make your event an absolute success:
- Go to Evite SignUp Sheets and choose the template that best fits your needs. Evite offers multiple signup sheet templates perfect for every occasion, including:
- Signup sheets for one day events (without different time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing a class party, potluck or end-of-season party.
- Signup sheets for single or multiple day events (with time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing concession stand volunteers, fundraisers, parent-teacher conferences, meal train, post-game snack duty or during appreciation week.
- After selecting your sheet template, create a title for your signup sheet and add the date, the location, the time (if applicable), who the organizer is, the organizer’s phone number or email and an optional note describing the event to your volunteers. You can also change your signup sheet background and title image if you wish!
- Next, create slots for your signup sheet. If you aren’t logged into your account, you will need to do so at this point, but luckily, you can use your existing Evite account (no need to create yet another login!). What you’ll include here will depend on what your event needs, but you can include a list of what’s needed (along with optional descriptions), how many volunteers are needed, and dates and times.
- After creating your slots, you can then add a wish list from any retailer or include supply suggestions from Evite’s retailer partners. These are to help your volunteers find and purchase supplies quickly and easily.
- Finally, review your sheet, copy your shareable link and send it out to everyone on your list! Every time a volunteer signs up for a slot on your signup sheet, Evite will email you. We will also send reminders to you and your volunteers before your event so no one will forget about it, and we’ll even let volunteers know if you remove their slot or cancel your event sheet so you don’t have to!
What information should be included on a SignUp Sheet?
When it comes to signup sheet information, there are some essentials to include regardless of what you’re organizing:
- A title for your signup sheet. Tip: Aim to keep your signup sheet title concise but clear. You want volunteers to read it and have a general understanding of what your event is about, and also make it easy for them to look for later if they need to reference your sheet again. You have the option to include a more descriptive note in a different field about your event, so save the more in-depth details for that!
- When and where the event is taking place.
- The organizer’s name and phone number.
- Slots for volunteers to choose from. Once you choose the SignUp Sheets template that fits the occasion, the slots you’ll need for your sheet will be right there and ready for you to add the relevant info, such as dates, times, items to bring and tasks to complete.
When adding your slot information, clearly define what people are signing up for, especially for a what-to-bring list or role assignments. If you want someone to bring healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after a game, specify that. You want your volunteers to feel confident in what they’re bringing and to make it easy for them to know what’s expected of them. It will save them time and stress (and you, too!). That being said, if you make your ask too specific (for example, asking for a hard-to-source item or something expensive), you may not end up with a volunteer for it. So be clear about what you expect, but also be reasonable!
Aside from providing the basic signup information, you can also add optional descriptions to both your entire signup sheet and individual slots. While not required, they can help guide your volunteers further and provide more information. You can add information about allergies, preferences and general info about the event. You can also add a wish list to make it easier for your volunteers to bring exactly what you need!
What are the benefits of using a SignUp Sheet template?
Signup sheet templates offer a ton of advantages for both organizers and volunteers and with Evite SignUp Sheets, you'll enjoy even more benefits than other digital and paper signup sheets! Some benefits our signup sheet templates offer include:
- A 100% free experience (no subscriptions required!).
- Shareable links for quick and easy sharing.
- No need to create another login—you can use your existing Evite account.
- The option to add a wish list to help your volunteers out.
- Automatic reminders—we’ll remind everyone on your behalf.
- An easy-to-use experience with eye-catching guided templates.
- Clean, modern designs with no pop-up ads.
With Evite SignUp Sheets, you can enjoy organizing and coordinating all your events with ease. Signup sheets streamline the signup process for everyone involved, ensuring that everything will go to plan on the day of your event while saving you precious time in the process.
