Guest post from Cryoport Systems, originally published on their website.
Infertility affects about 17.5% of adults worldwide, but for military families, the path to parenthood can be even more daunting. Studies show that 37% of active-duty female service members report facing chronic fertility issues, and the physical demands, prolonged separations, and stress of military life only amplify the challenges of starting a family. Despite these struggles, access to fertility care remains limited for many of our servicemen and servicewomen.
For these families, building a future through IVF is not just about medical access—it’s about overcoming obstacles that are unique to their service. Cryoport Systems understands the weight of this journey, which is why we are committed to ensuring that fertility dreams don’t go unrealized because of logistical barriers.
When Cryoport Systems had the opportunity to partner with The Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC) and assist a military couple with transporting their reproductive materials, we were honored to provide the support they needed. This collaboration has since become a beacon of hope, enabling us to extend our mission to Enable the Outcome™ for America’s heroes as they build their families, one successful journey at a time.
The Partnership that Started the Journey
The Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC) is dedicated to ensuring that military couples can build the families they dream of despite the unique challenges they face —whether it’s deployment schedules, gender, fertility issues, or financial constraints. Founded by military spouses Ellen Gustafson and Katy Bell Hendrickson, MFBC was born out of their personal experiences navigating the difficulties of starting a family while their spouses were serving both in the U.S. and abroad. They recognized a critical gap in support, which inspired them to create an organization that ensures every service member has equal access to fertility care and family-building resources.
MFBC’s mission aligns with Cryoport Systems’ commitment to supporting those on their fertility journeys. In late 2023, the two organizations came together and formed a partnership designed to provide military families with the crucial logistical support they need, ensuring their reproductive materials can be safely and compliantly transported no matter where they are stationed. This collaboration offered a unique opportunity to help a military family on their path to parenthood, showcasing the transformative impact both organizations can make when they come together for a common cause.
The Couple Navigating the Journey
In early 2023, The Military Family Building Coalition introduced Cryoport Systems to a U.S. military family in need of urgent transport assistance, Cody and Kristy Shue. While stationed in Japan, Cody and Kristy welcomed their first child through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a journey that was not without its challenges. “I’m a Navy Sailor with seven years of service,” Cody Shue shared. “Being active in the military and regularly working with toxic chemicals, coupled with the stress of long deployments, have impacted my fertility more than I ever anticipated. My wife and I turned to IVF in our hopes to start a family.”
However, as Cody’s military orders required him to relocate, the couple faced a heart-wrenching dilemma: their remaining embryos — irreplaceable pieces of their future family— were halfway around the world. The thought of leaving them behind added to the stress of relocation. Without a reliable solution, their dreams of expanding their family could be indefinitely delayed or lost.
Recognizing the urgency and emotional weight of this situation, Cryoport Systems stepped in. With our industry-leading cryogenic transport services, we ensured the safe and secure shipment of Cody and Kristy’s embryos back to the U.S., allowing them to continue their family-building journey without fear of losing what they had worked so hard to create.
The Achieved Outcome at the End of the Journey
“At The Military Family Building Coalition, we’re always seeking best-in-class partners to help us achieve our mission,” says Katy Bell-Hendrickson, co-founder of MFBC. “When I reached out to Cryoport Systems, we were immediately met with a warm and enthusiastic response. For the military families we assist, tracking, traceability, and innovation are absolutely vital, and Cryoport Systems delivered on all fronts.”
Cryoport Systems’ advanced shipping solutions — designed for complete compliance and monitored by sophisticated logistics technology — ensured that Cody and Kristy Shue’s precious reproductive materials were safely transported from Japan. Despite the complexities of a long-distance shipment, every aspect of the journey was carefully tracked and managed, ensuring the embryos arrived in perfect condition. With their materials now safely home, the Shues are empowered to make decisions about their future family without the burden of distance or uncertainty.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Military Family Building Coalition for connecting us with Cryoport Systems, whose generosity and expertise made it possible to bring our embryos back to the United States,” says Cody Shue. “Cryoport Systems’ dedication and philanthropy have given us the chance to continue building our family — a dream that seemed out of reach. Thanks to their support, our children and future generations will have the chance to enjoy the freedoms we’ve served to protect.”