Johnston Group created the Advisor Charitable Match Program to team up with our advisors across the country who are supporting community initiatives that make a difference.
May 2025
After advisor Erin Fordham and her partner were diagnosed with an infertility issue, she spent over four years and a considerable sum of money undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Something that seemed to come so naturally to others left her feeling hopeless.
A friend dealing with the same challenges invited her to a support group. Erin was hesitant to join but was glad she did.
Though she ultimately was able to have a baby, she says the effort to have children against the medical odds was all-consuming. “I needed my freedom back,” says Erin, “I felt like I’d been locked in this cage for 10 years.”
In time, Erin took over organizing the support group, which eventually led to the launch of Oasis Fertility Support Network. She also hosts the Oasis Fertility podcast aimed at raising awareness and removing the stigma of infertility.
Infertility strikes one in six hopeful families worldwide. Women and men experiencing infertility are at an increased risk of developing depression, anger, and anxiety due to underlying feelings of guilt, powerlessness, and jealousy. When friends and family ask them about starting a family or offer “helpful” advice, it can add to the feelings of frustration. The Oasis network is there to break through the isolation and provide understanding, supportive connections.
“The fertility clinics provide the medical care,” Erin says, adding that the extremely expensive procedures are an obvious barrier to most, “but there is next to nothing available for folks for their mental health.”
Oasis now runs 19 groups connecting hundreds of participants who share important fertility information and helpful experiences to fill the gaps in mental health support. “There’s an old proverb,” she says, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. Sharing information was so empowering. It was a game changer for me. It gave me the strength to keep going.”
Erin is the vice president of employee benefits at Alta Vista Planning Partners Inc. in Orillia, ON, and is the local advisor for Chambers Plan employee benefits. Johnston Group, the administrator for Chambers Plan, is glad to contribute to Erin’s cause and support the impact Oasis makes.
“We have a group for pregnancy after infertility and postpartum after infertility., We have specialized groups for single moms by choice and those who engage surrogates to start their family,” Erin says. “Giving to Oasis is giving someone the capacity to keep going. We’re creating families.”
