In March 2022, a year after enduring the heart-wrenching loss of her own daughter, Peel was scrolling through Instagram when a poignant black-and-white image caught her eye: a tiny baby’s hand delicately grasping an adult finger, a visual tribute to the tragic stillbirth of Jaimee Lupton and Nick Mowbray’s daughter at just 24 weeks.

The heartbreak hit Peel hard, as the tender scene echoed the haunting images captured of her own stillborn daughter, Ruby, by Heartfelt—a compassionate organization dedicated to creating lasting memories for grieving families through professional photography.

“Instantly when I saw it, I knew straight away,” Peel recalled, her emotions flooding back as she remembered her own painful experience.

As the first anniversary of her own loss approached, Peel’s feelings remained fresh and raw. Overcome with emotion, she reached out to Jaimee Lupton, first connecting through social media. With heartfelt sincerity, she shared her own story of grief and reassured Lupton that, although the ache of loss might never truly fade, there would be brighter days ahead filled with hope.

“I felt compelled to reach out to Jaimee, though I was merely a stranger, just to let her know that she will be okay, even if it doesn’t feel like it now,” Peel shared, emphasizing her desire to help another grieving heart.

The connection blossomed, and when Lupton joyfully announced her pregnancy in 2023, Peel was quick to extend her congratulations. By this time, Peel had faced two more heartbreaking miscarriages, leaving her nearly hopeless about ever becoming a mother. The staggering costs of IVF, ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 per cycle, loomed heavily over her dreams of parenthood.

This shared journey of loss and longing led Lupton and Mowbray to the inspiring idea of helping others who share similar struggles but lack the financial means for treatment.

In a bittersweet sense of humor, Lupton and Mowbray affectionately nicknamed their unborn child “Gingernut,” nodding to Mowbray’s ginger hair and the numerous packets of ginger biscuits Lupton consumed to manage morning sickness. To honor their daughter’s memory, they established a foundation named Gingernut’s Angels, initially contributing a generous $500,000 and subsequently raising an additional $181,000 through public donations.

Lupton took steps to partner with New Zealand’s leading fertility clinics—Fertility Associates, Repromed, and the Government-funded Fertility Plus, which collectively agreed to offer a 20% discount for treatments and medications to support the foundation’s efforts. This initiative means that many IVF treatments could be either free or significantly reduced in cost for those who apply.

Earlier this year, Lupton experienced the joyous birth of her daughter, Noa, after enduring a tumultuous four years marked by miscarriage, stillbirth, and failed embryo transfers in the quest for parenthood. She acknowledges that financial support for IVF played a crucial role in making Noa’s arrival a possibility, a sentiment that resonates deeply with many in similar circumstances.

“There is nothing more special than having a baby. Noa has completely transformed our lives; our love for her is immeasurable,” Lupton expressed, reflecting on the sheer joy her daughter brings.

Though Lupton dreams of giving Noa a sibling, she is equally determined to help others achieve their dreams of parenthood through the foundation, expressing a profound commitment to making a difference. “I go to sleep thinking about it, I wake up thinking about it. If we have the ability to help, we should. Nick and I are both incredibly passionate about this cause,” she emphasizes.

Driven by their experiences, the couple is even considering the establishment of a not-for-profit IVF clinic aimed at assisting those who do not qualify for public funding and struggle to afford private treatment costs.

Lupton notes, “If there is one thing about Nick, he approaches everything with unwavering determination, and this project is no exception. We both genuinely aspire to assist as many families as possible throughout our lives.”

Among New Zealand’s three fertility clinics, only Te Whatu Ora’s Fertility Plus operates as a not-for-profit entity. Catering to approximately 500 patients and with some paying privately, the clinic has a waitlist that stretches from 12 to 18 months for initial consultations. Each applicant is subject to stringent criteria before receiving public funding, which typically permits up to two rounds of IVF.

While Repromed has not disclosed specific treatment figures, Fertility Associates has proudly reported a remarkable history, having helped bring around 29,000 babies into the world over its 36-year existence, treating 10,000 couples and individuals for various fertility concerns in just the past year. Success rates can vary significantly, influenced by the specific clinic and the age of the woman—particularly declining after age 40.

A new fundraising initiative for Gingernut’s Angels is scheduled for next year, with Rascals Nappies, a product from Zuru Group, pledging to donate $1 for every pack sold, up to a total of $100,000.

Currently, 72 fortunate applicants, selected from more than 400 hopefuls, are set to undergo IVF treatment in the upcoming weeks and months. They were chosen by a committee that Lupton refers to as Guardian Angels, which includes Dr. Devashana Gupta of Repromed and Dr. Mary Birdsall, the former chair and group medical director of Fertility Associates.

The Meyer couple, Brittany and Mathew from Hawke’s Bay, are among the first participants eager to begin their IVF journey. After enduring financial struggles, they managed to scrape together enough funds to engage in an IVF round in early 2023.

“We were incredibly fortunate, and during that first round, we welcomed our precious little boy. But sadly…,” Brittany Meyer began to tear up, recalling the anguish of losing their child. Their son, Baxter, was stillborn at full term due to undiagnosed pre-eclampsia, which Brittany experienced during pregnancy.

With just one embryo remaining from that initial IVF cycle, the couple faced another devastating setback when Brittany miscarried earlier this year, shattering their hopes of parenthood once again.

Aware of Lupton’s loss and the inception of Gingernut’s Angels through social media, Brittany and Mathew recognized their financial limitations regarding the $12,000 needed for another IVF round. They felt compelled to apply to the foundation, anxiously awaiting news of their application status. “We had been waiting for so long, and then we received the email,” Brittany recounted, filled with gratitude.

Now filled with hope, Meyer said, “I feel so lucky, and honestly, I’m incredibly grateful. It’s overwhelming.”

Just earlier this month, Brittany underwent her first embryo implantation from the IVF procedure funded by Gingernut’s Angels and now anxiously awaits the outcome. Should this attempt not succeed, the couple is comforted by the knowledge that they still have two high-quality frozen embryos, providing them additional opportunities.

After weathering two years filled with medical challenges, including extended genetic testing, multiple miscarriages, and the complications of an overactive thyroid, Peel and her partner Haggas are prepared to embark on their own IVF round this coming January.

Lupton’s generous offer to assist with their IVF expenses struck Peel profoundly, a gesture she described as “incredible.”

“Even that alone makes you feel incredibly fortunate during a challenging time,” she expressed. “When you’ve come so close to motherhood only for it to be snatched away… I need to be a mother. It’s not merely a desire; it’s an absolute necessity for me,” she concluded, conveying the depth of her longing.

Jane Phare is a senior Auckland-based business, features and investigations journalist, former assistant editor of NZ Herald, and former editor of the Weekend Herald and Viva.

**Interview with Jaimee Lupton: Founder of Gingernut’s Angels**

*Host:* Welcome, Jaimee! Thank you for ‌joining us today to discuss your inspiring foundation, Gingernut’s Angels, ‌and its mission ⁣to support those facing ‍financial struggles in their journey toward parenthood.

*Jaimee Lupton:* Thank you for having me! ​It’s an honor to share our story and the work we’re doing at Gingernut’s Angels.

*Host:* Let’s start from the beginning. You and your partner, Nick, faced immense ⁣heartbreak with the loss of your ⁢daughter. Can you share how that experience motivated ​you⁣ to help others?

*Jaimee:* Absolutely. Losing our ⁤daughter was​ the most profound pain we’ve ⁤ever experienced. It pushed us to not​ only navigate our own grief ‍but ​also to find ways to honor her memory. When we saw others struggling with similar challenges, we felt compelled⁤ to create⁣ a ⁢resource that could ease their burden. That’s how Gingernut’s Angels was ‌born.

*Host:* That’s truly moving. ⁢After your own challenges with fertility, how did you ⁤manage to establish partnerships with fertility clinics?

*Jaimee:* After sharing our story, many people reached out, ‌and I spoke‌ with various clinics about our foundation. I’m grateful that Fertility Associates, Repromed, and Fertility Plus saw the value in what we’re trying to do. ⁤Their willingness to offer discounts to families benefiting from our foundation has been monumental. ​

*Host:* That’s fantastic! Can you describe the current impact Gingernut’s‌ Angels is having on​ families?

*Jaimee:* So far, we’ve ‌been able to select 72 applicants from over 400 who applied for help with their IVF treatments. This means that‌ these individuals, who might not have been able to afford the⁤ cost ​of IVF, will now have a chance at starting their families.‌ It’s​ incredibly fulfilling to know we’re making a difference.

*Host:* And you recently had​ your own success story with the birth of your daughter, Noa.⁣ How has‍ that ‍experience influenced your commitment to the foundation?

*Jaimee:* Noa’s arrival has filled my heart with⁤ joy beyond words. Every moment with ⁣her reminds me of how precious life is and how ‍many others are still‌ longing for this happiness. It fuels my determination to ⁣continue our work with Gingernut’s Angels to help more families achieve their dreams of parenthood.

*Host:* ‍Looking ​ahead, what are your future plans for the foundation and the possibility of expanding support for families?

*Jaimee:* We’re actually ⁢considering establishing a not-for-profit IVF clinic that can assist those who‍ don’t‌ qualify for public funding. It’s a dream of⁣ ours to help as many families ‍as possible. The determination Nick and I have witnessed in this journey is incredible, ⁢and we want to extend that ‌hope to others.

*Host:* That sounds⁣ like a noble endeavor. Before we wrap up, what message would you like ​to share with⁢ families who are currently facing ⁢fertility challenges?

*Jaimee:* I want them to know ‌that they are not alone. The journey can be painful and isolating, but there are people and resources ready to support you. Hold onto hope and reach out—help is available, and brighter days can come.

*Host:* Thank you ‌so much,⁤ Jaimee, for sharing your heartfelt story and the incredible work you and Nick are doing. We wish you all the best with Gingernut’s Angels.

*Jaimee:* Thank you! We appreciate the opportunity to share our journey.