A woman from Airdrie is harnessing her passion for knitting and beanies with the hope of adding another member to her family. Kelsey Gyarmati, the proprietor of KLG Knits, started her knitting journey nearly a decade ago, coinciding with when she and her spouse began planning for a child.

Despite multiple medicated cycles and attempts at intrauterine insemination (IUI), the couple has yet to conceive. Now, they’re turning their attention towards in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure that is notably expensive and not covered by the province or their health insurance.

Gyarmati revealed that a single round of IVF treatment would set them back approximately $30,000. To offset this cost, she’s planning to sell a thousand of her artisanal beanies. She noted that equating the cost of IVF to the number of beanies provides a tangible perspective on the actual cost of the procedure in Alberta.

Gyarmati’s affinity for creating and wearing beanies makes it an easy sell for her. However, Alberta Health doesn’t cover fertility treatments, though the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) does include medical consultations, necessary referrals, radiology, and laboratory services for diagnosing infertility. The plan also covers services that can improve or repair the reproductive system and any services arising from fertility treatments during pregnancy and delivery.

Gyarmati stated that due to the high cost, this IVF attempt would be their only shot at the procedure. When asked about the prospect of a successful pregnancy test, she admitted to not having fully contemplated that scenario but expressed optimism. She revealed her desire for a large family, similar to her own upbringing, and her aspiration to expand her family with her husband, who already has a child.

Once she reaches her financial goal, Gyarmati plans to allocate a part of future beanie sales to IVF grant programs in Calgary, intending to assist others undergoing the same procedure.