Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, was guest of honour at an event to mark World Fertility Day, organised by the online magazine IVF babble with some of the proceeds going to Fertility Network and to other charities.
Tracey Bambrough and Sara Marshall-Page, co-founders of IVF babble (IVF.babble.com), have each been on a fertility journey. Although they were ultimately successful, they found the road a lonely one, so they set up the online magazine to share experiences. They have been working with Fertility Network to organise the Pineapple Ball to help increase awareness of infertility and celebrate 40 years of IVF.
Our CEO, Mike Macnamee, was speaking at the Ball last night and raised a toast to the IVF pioneers, Steptoe, Edwards and Purdy (“the forgotten pioneer”), who together founded Bourn Hall – the world’s first IVF clinic.
Support for the fertility journey is very important to us at Bourn Hall – to help mark the day a number of our staff have recorded a message to share.

Tanya Turner, Head of Patient Services
Two members of our embryology team: Olivia Davidson and Adam Burnley.
Some of the Cambridge-based clinical team: Joanne Sharman, Siobhan Spillane, Dr Chhaya Prasannan-Nair, Robby Hayer, Leona Crookston and Cate Clark
Our brilliant services team at Cambridge – Sam Black, Andrew Purser and John Clark
One of our receptionists at Bourn Hall Cambridge, Melanie Pearce
Staff at Bourn Hall including: Donna Stock (Clinical Science), Natalie Lowden, Ruth Moulder, Kerry Prickett, Helen Gordon, Jan Ashmore (all QA), Ellen Wilson and Nicky Bilton (catering team)
The first #WorldFertilityDay aims to breakthrough the taboos about infertility, create a global conversation about shared experiences and generate a bigger voice to ensure everyone gets the treatment they need. You are not alone on this journey.
#ivfstrongertogether #worldfertilityday