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The Gingernut's Angels Initiative by Jaimee Lupton
“My wish for Gingernut’s Angels is to have little angels born all over New Zealand, which will be my daughter’s legacy.”
Jaimee Lupton knows all too well the complexities and emotions involved when having a child doesn’t come easily, experiencing firsthand the immense joys and severe heartbreaks throughout her own fertility journey over several years.
In 2021, Jaimee and her partner Nick Mowbray conceived a much-tried-for pregnancy after multiple rounds of IVF. Sadly, their first daughter Gingernut would be born perfect, but still, in March 2022.
Jaimee describes the grief of losing a child as uniquely devastating: “like a club, no one wants to be part of.” In the wake of Gingernut’s passing, Jaimee connected with countless people across New Zealand & beyond who were on their own, often arduous, fertility journeys.
The common sentiment was one of struggle, not just with the emotional and physical effects of treatments but also financially.
“It breaks my heart to think that finances would be the reason someone doesn’t get to be a parent,” says Lupton.
“My wish for Gingernut’s Angels is to have little angels born all over New Zealand, which will be my daughter’s legacy.”
Despite her success as the founder of the hugely successful MONDAY Haircare, Jaimee wanted to be a parent “more than anything.”
With her second daughter, Noa, born in April 2024, Jaimee knows how crucial it is to keep hope for those still on their journey.
THE GINGERNUT’S ANGELS INITIATIVE.
Gingernut’s Angels is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to providing financial support for individuals in New Zealand navigating fertility challenges. The organisation, founded in 2024 by Jaimee Lupton, honours her daughter, Gingernut, who was born healthy but prematurely in March 2022 after a long IVF journey. Jaimee understands the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies fertility struggles, having experienced both the profound joys and heart-wrenching setbacks along her path to motherhood.
In New Zealand, one in four individuals faces infertility, and one in eight require medical assistance to conceive. The average cost of a single IVF treatment is around $17,000, with couples typically undergoing 1.7 rounds on average.
With Gingernut’s Angels, Jaimee aims to lighten this financial burden by offering grants tailored to each unique fertility journey. Applications are open to all couples and singles in New Zealand who aspire to grow their families, regardless of their background.
Through this initiative, Jaimee hopes to provide a glimmer of hope and support to those on similar paths, making the dream of parenthood a little more attainable for everyone.
Gingernut’s Angels has teamed up with a group of dedicated real-life Angels to provide comprehensive support for aspiring parents throughout their entire fertility journey, extending far beyond just financial assistance.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
Mary Birdsall
Dr Mary Birdsall is an esteemed gynaecologist and obstetrician with a particular interest in reproductive medicine and a passion for fertility preservation. Dr Birdsall graduated from Auckland Medical School and completed post-graduate training at New Zealand’s National Women’s Hospital. She holds a Master’s Degree in Human Reproduction from Oxford University.
Mary is the prior Chair and Group Medical Director of Fertility Associates, New Zealand’s foremost fertility diagnosis, support, and treatment provider.
Dr Birdsall has recently stepped back from private practice, and Gingernut’s Angels are lucky to count her as part of our advisory network.
Devashana Gupta
Dr Devashana Gupta is a leading gynaecologist and fertility specialist at Auckland fertility clinic Repromed, with a particular interest in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), recurrent pregnancy loss and fertility preservation.
After graduating from the Fiji School of Medicine, Devashana received her training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology in New Zealand. She holds a Masters in Reproductive Medicine and is certified as a sub-specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, known as CREI – the highest fertility qualification available in Aotearoa and Australia. As the Medical Director of Repromed, Devashana is known for her caring and considerate approach.
Partner Clinics
Gingernut’s Angels is proud to partner with three of New Zealand’s leading fertility clinics, which offer subsidised fees for recipients of Gingernut’s Angels grants, to lower the ‘gap’ of costs for treatment.
Fertility Associates
Established in 1987 by Dr Freddie Graham and Dr Richard Fisher, Fertility Associates is one of New Zealand’s foremost fertility diagnosis, support, and treatment providers. Fertility Associates boasts 21 fertility clinics nationwide - with five major clinics that offer all services at all times and 16 satellite clinics that offer monthly services at selected times. They’re committed to providing the very best fertility treatment, technology, expertise, and care.
For more, visit: fertilityassociates.co.nz
Repromed
Repromed is an inclusive and welcoming fertility clinic based in Remuera, Auckland, that offers ‘fertility excellence with heart’. Led by Medical Director Dr Devashana Gupta, the Repromed team includes some of the country’s longestserving doctors and scientists practicing IVF.
Offering both private and publicly funded fertility treatment, Repromed is committed to providing highly personalised care, with treatment uniquely tailored to each client.
For more, visit: repromed.co.nz
Fertility Plus
Fertility Plus is Aotearoa’s original fertility clinic based in Greenlane Clinical Centre, Epsom, Auckland.
Fertility Plus is the largest provider o public fertility treatment in the Auckland region and provides private treatment.
The clinic is led by Professor Cindy Farquhar, who is part of a team of trusted and experienced fertility doctors, nurses, scientists, and counsellors who are committed to providing the best practice fertility care.
For more, visit: fertilityplus.co.nz
GINGERNUT’S ANGELS GRANT
Grants are awarded up to NZ$10,000, depending on the request for treatment made. Grants can be used for Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET), and Egg Freezing and Preservation.
Couples (both heterosexual and samesex) along with single women are eligible for grants, and applicants must be New Zealand citizens and ordinarily reside in New Zealand.
Grant applications for 2024 have now closed, and the successful applicants were contacted in September 2024. Information on the successful applicants will not be publicly available for privacy reasons.
MEDIA AND LINKS
Jaimee Lupton jaimee@mondayhaircare.com gingernutsangels.com @gingernutsangels
2024 FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
In its first year, Gingernut’s Angels raised over $180,000 in public donations through fundraising efforts.
Combined with the half a million dollars pledged from founder Jaimee and her partner Nick Mowbray, this will mean dozens of grants for deserving applicants all over New Zealand.
Gingernut’s Angels is a specialised initiative operated by The Evergreen Foundation.
HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Donate today to Gingernut’s Angels and support individuals and couples on their fertility journey. Your contribution can help ease the financial burden for those in need, bringing them one step closer to growing their families.
If you’re seeking assistance for your fertility journey, apply for a grant and let us help support you.
Every dollar counts - join us in making dreams of parenthood a reality. Donate or Apply Now!
