On Bereaved Mother’s Day, May 4th, 2025, thousands of supporters joined the Bursting Bubble 5K Run and Walk, hosted by Chasing the Rainbows, to honor those affected by infertility grief and pregnancy loss. The event was held in Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, and virtually. It represented a powerful moment of connection and compassion intended to "burst" the bubble around infertility stigma.
Dedicated to supporting those affected by infertility, grief, and pregnancy loss, Chasing the Rainbows currently offers nine free support programs. This year’s 5K raised an inspiring $25,000 to help maintain and grow these services and support our community when families and individuals need it most.
Donor Nexus was proud to sponsor the event and stand in solidarity with those navigating the often-overlooked emotional toll of infertility. Chasing the Rainbows' mission and the purpose of this event align deeply with our values. Beyond helping intended parents start building their families, we recognize and honor every step of the parenthood journey, from beginnings to heartbreak to healing. Our sponsorship of the Bursting Bubble 5K reflects our commitment to mental health resources and to fostering empathy, awareness, and support within the fertility community.
While 1 in 4 couples experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infertility challenges, this grief is too often met with silence or stigma. Many feel isolated, unsure where to turn or how to process their emotions.
Infertility grief is profoundly personal and complex. Unlike other forms of loss, it often goes unseen. There may be no funeral, no public acknowledgment, and yet the emotional pain is just as real. We believe supporting families means addressing these invisible wounds with compassion and understanding. At Donor Nexus, many of our intended parents have struggled with infertility grief or continue to do so.
Although we do not offer support services, we believe in providing empathetic resources when possible to help intended parents throughout every stage of their journey.
Grief after infertility or pregnancy loss is deeply personal and often goes unrecognized. Fertility advocate and mom via donor egg IVF, Victoria Nino, shares 7 strategies that helped her navigate this complex emotional landscape.
Victoria emphasizes that there’s no “right” way to grieve, and that simply acknowledging your emotions is an act of strength. Her tips provide both emotional validation and practical support and include:
Talking about infertility can be emotionally draining and invoke anxiety, especially when you're unsure how others will respond. We encourage individuals to share on their own terms. Start with simple facts to set the stage for a meaningful conversation.
To complement this, acknowledge that infertility isn’t just medical, and it carries significant emotional weight. Most importantly, set boundaries. It’s perfectly okay to say, “I'd rather not talk about that,” or to excuse yourself from triggering conversations. Preparing a few responses beforehand can also help you feel more confident and in control. Remember, you don't owe anyone your whole story—only what feels right.
While the Chasing the Rainbows event offered a day of hope and healing and contributed to expanding support access, the work doesn't stop there. The need for accessible mental health support services and resources around infertility grief and pregnancy loss continues to grow.
Donor Nexus remains dedicated to this mission. Through our ongoing advocacy and sponsorships, we will continue to champion the voices of those impacted by infertility grief and reproductive loss. Together, we can build a future where everyone affected finds the comfort, community, and care they deserve.