Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley congratulate Kristin.
We are thrilled to share the news that Kristin Der, representing AllPaths Family Building, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award!
Kristin was one of 26 volunteers recognized by the Kraft Family, New England Patriots Foundation, and Gillette for their exceptional contributions to communities across New England. At the awards ceremony on June 3rd at Gillette Stadium, we were so proud to see Kristin receive her custom Patriots football and be publicly recognized for her meaningful volunteer work.
The Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program, which began in 1998 and was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft, celebrates volunteers who demonstrate compassion, dedication, and the power of service by going above and beyond to give back. This year, a total of $275,000 was distributed in grants to the nonprofit organizations represented by the award winners, including AllPaths Family Building.
Kristin’s Journey
Kristin’s journey to becoming a volunteer is deeply personal and powerful. At age thirty, single and new to New England, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This diagnosis thrust her into a fight for her life and threatened her lifelong dream of becoming a mother. Despite knowing children were an important part of her plan for the future, no one brought up fertility preservation or the potential impact of her cancer treatment on her family building.
Years later, married and cancer free, after receiving cautious permission from her oncologist to try to get pregnant, Kristin faced another challenge when a reproductive endocrinologist recommended IVF. She recalled thinking, “of course, everything about me is broken.” Seeking support, Kristin found that her experience didn’t quite fit into traditional infertility support groups; sharing her medical history sometimes led people to look at her differently. It was difficult to relate to the devastation of fighting for life with motherhood as a central goal, only to have it cast into doubt.
Kristin also found that infertility is still something of a taboo within the cancer community and that it was difficult to find support there as well. “There is this stigma,” she reflects, “about people thinking you’re healed, but you’re still stuck in a fight because you’ve had treatment, or you weren’t able to save your eggs prior, or you have saved your eggs and IVF is your only option, but you can’t talk about that because everyone is just so happy you’re alive.”
Kristin’s complex journey from cancer patient to fertility patient to parent highlighted a significant gap in support. This led her to the organization now known as AllPaths Family Building (formerly Resolve New England or RNE), where she first participated in support groups while trying to conceive and later during pregnancy. During this time, Kristin participated in our support groups, first while trying to conceive, and then during pregnancy. And it was there that she “found her people”. The lifelong friendships of the self-named “Baby Gang” inspired Kristin to become a group leader to help others find the same kind of connection and support.
Our MVP
Representing the “Baby Gang” at Gillette Stadium
Kristin has since led support groups for those Expecting After Infertility and/or Loss, and Parenting After a complicated family building journey. Recognizing the unique challenges at the intersection of cancer and fertility, Kristin now also leads a dedicated Cancer and Fertility peer support group. This bimonthly group provides a safe haven for anyone impacted, whether newly diagnosed, exploring fertility preservation options (or the lack thereof), or struggling with infertility after cancer. Kristin shares, “With AllPaths, I have reached my goal of providing a safe space where open conversations about the complicated emotions, taboos, and difficult choices can take place.”
Kristin has helped hundreds of people that have attended groups that she has led. She also provides one-on-one support and mentorship to many who are navigating complicated family building journeys. Kristin’s openness about her story through our magazine, webinars, social media channels, and advocacy, has reached countless more. Her willingness to share her complex journey spreads hope for those still struggling and builds crucial awareness about the importance of support and connection.
An amazing group leader and an even better human, Kristin is truly deserving of the 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award. We are incredibly proud of and grateful for her profound impact on our community!