The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recently released updated guidance on fertility preservation for patients with medical indications. The committee opinion emphasizes discussing fertility preservation before treatments that may affect reproductive function (American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], 2026).

For patients diagnosed with cancer, these conversations are especially important. Chemotherapy, radiation, and some surgical procedures can affect reproductive function and future fertility.

Fertility preservation allows patients to store reproductive cells or tissue before treatment begins. Common approaches include sperm banking, egg freezing, embryo cryopreservation, and ovarian or testicular tissue preservation.

For many patients, the process does not end with the preservation procedure. Reproductive tissue may remain in storage for years while patients complete treatment and focus on recovery.

Readers interested in the full clinical guidance can review the ASRM committee opinion.

Key Takeaways

• ASRM’s updated guidance highlights the importance of discussing fertility preservation before treatments that may affect reproductive function.
• Cancer patients preserve reproductive tissue before treatment to protect future family-building options.
• Reprotech’s Verna’s Purse program helps reduce this burden by providing discounted cryostorage for eligible cancer patients.
• Preserved reproductive tissue may remain in storage for years while patients complete treatment and recovery.
• Long-term storage costs can create challenges for some patients.

Verna’s Purse: Reprotech’s Financial Assistance Program for Cancer Patients

Because preserved reproductive tissue may remain in storage for many years after cancer treatment begins, programs that help reduce long-term storage costs can play an important role for patients navigating fertility preservation.

Reprotech established Verna’s Purse, a financial assistance program that provides discounted long-term storage for reproductive tissue preserved prior to cancer treatment.

What Verna’s Purse Provides

Verna’s Purse offers reduced storage rates for patients who have preserved:

• sperm
• eggs (oocytes)
• embryos
• ovarian tissue
• testicular tissue

Lower storage costs help ensure patients can maintain access to preserved reproductive tissue while focusing on treatment and recovery.

Why Financial Assistance Matters

Fertility preservation can involve several costs, including procedures, medications, and ongoing storage fees.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment may already face significant financial pressures. Programs like Verna’s Purse help reduce the long-term burden associated with storing reproductive tissue.

Reducing storage costs can help ensure that patients maintain access to their preserved reproductive tissue over time.

Supporting Patients Through Survivorship

Some patients opt into preserving their reproductive tissue before beginning chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments that may affect fertility.

Family-building decisions often occur years later, after treatment is complete and health has stabilized.

By supporting long-term cryostorage, Verna’s Purse helps ensure preserved reproductive tissue remains available when patients are ready to explore future family-building options.

Those interested in learning more about eligibility and storage support can view details about the Verna’s Purse program on Reprotech’s website.

Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients

Professional organizations including ASRM and the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend discussing fertility preservation as early as possible after diagnosis whenever treatment timelines allow (ASRM, 2026; Oktay et al., 2018).

Common fertility preservation options include:

• sperm banking
• egg freezing
• embryo cryopreservation
• ovarian tissue preservation
• testicular tissue preservation

These options help patients preserve the possibility of having biological children in the future.

Cancer Survivorship and Fertility

Advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates, creating a growing population of survivors who must consider long-term quality-of-life outcomes such as fertility.

In the United States, about 18.6 million people are living with a history of cancer. This number is expected to exceed 22 million in the coming decades (National Cancer Institute, 2024).

Many cancer therapies can impair reproductive function (Oktay et al., 2018). Research also shows many reproductive-age cancer patients hope to have biological children in the future (Letourneau et al., 2012).

These challenges helped drive the development of oncofertility, a field connecting oncology and reproductive medicine to help patients preserve reproductive potential before treatment begins (Woodruff, 2007).

Despite increased awareness, some patients still do not receive timely fertility counseling or referrals (Quinn et al., 2009).

The Importance of Long-Term Cryostorage

Fertility preservation often involves more than a single procedure.

Patients may spend months or years completing treatment and recovery before making family-building decisions. As a result, reproductive specimens are frequently stored for extended periods.

Research shows reproductive cells and tissues can remain viable after long periods of cryopreservation when stored under appropriate laboratory conditions (Riggs & McClain, 2016).

Secure long-term storage helps ensure preserved reproductive tissue remains protected until patients are ready to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients

What is fertility preservation for cancer patients?

Fertility preservation refers to medical procedures that allow individuals to store reproductive cells or tissue before treatments that may impair fertility, including chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery (ASRM, 2026).

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How long can eggs, sperm, or embryos remain frozen?

Reproductive cells and tissues can remain viable for many years when cryopreserved under appropriate laboratory conditions (Riggs & McClain, 2016).

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When should cancer patients consider fertility preservation?

Clinical guidelines recommend discussing fertility preservation as early as possible after diagnosis and before treatment begins whenever medically feasible (ASRM, 2026; Oktay et al., 2018).

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What is Verna’s Purse and who qualifies?

Verna’s Purse is a financial assistance program offered by Reprotech that provides discounted long-term storage for reproductive tissue preserved prior to cancer treatment.

Patients who have undergone fertility preservation due to a cancer diagnosis may qualify for reduced storage rates for preserved sperm, eggs, embryos, or reproductive tissue. Eligibility requirements may vary depending on diagnosis and timing of preservation relative to treatment.

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References

American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2026). Fertility preservation in patients with medical indications: A committee opinion. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/fertility-preservation-in-patients-with-medical-indications-a-committee-opinion-2026/

Letourneau, J. M., Ebbel, E. E., Katz, P. P., Katz, A., Ai, W. Z., Chien, A. J., Melisko, M. E., Cedars, M. I., & Rosen, M. P. (2012). Pretreatment fertility counseling and fertility preservation improve quality of life in reproductive-age women with cancer. Cancer, 118(6), 1710–1717.

National Cancer Institute. (2024). Cancer statistics. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics

Oktay, K., Harvey, B. E., Loren, A. W., et al. (2018). Fertility preservation in patients with cancer: ASCO clinical practice guideline update. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(19), 1994–2001.

Quinn, G. P., Vadaparampil, S. T., Bell-Ellison, B. A., Gwede, C. K., Albrecht, T. L., & Keefe, D. L. (2009). Patient–physician communication barriers regarding fertility preservation among newly diagnosed cancer patients. Social Science & Medicine, 68(3), 512–516.

Riggs, R., & McClain, L. (2016). Long-term cryopreservation of reproductive tissue and gametes: Clinical considerations. Fertility and Sterility, 105(5), 1106–1111.

Woodruff, T. K. (2007). The emergence of a new interdisciplinary field: Oncofertility. Cancer Treatment and Research, 138, 3–11.