Winnipeg couple raising money to cover surrogacy costs

A Winnipeg woman wants to have a baby but getting pregnant could put her life in danger, so she and her husband are hoping the public will help them cover the costs of a surrogacy.

Gina Denby was diagnosed at birth with a congenital heart defect that, as she learned later in life, would make pregnancy and birth dangerous for her.

"It was a pretty big shock because I have always wanted to be a mom and I've always expected to be a mom, so I kind of took that notion for granted that I'd be able to," she said in an interview on CBC's Up to Speed program on Friday.

Gina and her husband, Ryan Denby, said they feel that surrogacy is their best option.

"I mean, adoption is never a guarantee either and can take just as long if not longer and can cost just as much money if not more," she said.

A close friend of the couple has offered to be their gestational surrogate, meaning she would carry their baby.

Surrogacy will cost them thousands of dollars in egg-retrieval, medical and counselling fees. Gina Denby said they have spent $5,000 to date, and they estimate they'll need $10,000 to $15,000 more to cover all the related fees.

"And then the legal fees because we have to write up a legal agreement, and we have to have everything signed and sealed and delivered to the fertility clinic," she added.

The Denbys are hosting a fundraiser at Assiniboia Downs on Saturday night to help cover the surrogacy-related costs. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Donations are also being accepted online via YouCaring.com.