FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Middletown, Maryland -- May 19, 2008 -- Shortly after she and her twin brother, Ryan, were born through Gestational Surrogacy, Hailey Kent was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia. Now 23 months old, Hailey has already had Chemotherapy and a mis-matched cord blood transplant in an effort to save her life. If relapse occurs, Hailey's only chance of surivival is to get 100% matching umbilical cord blood from a sibling. The Surrogacy Community has rallied together to carry another child for the Kents. Surrogacy Options LLC (http://www.SurrogacyOptions.com ) is coordinating the effort and a benefit fund has been established to make the journey possible.

As a result of the mis-matched cord blood transplant, Hailey has developed acute and chronic Graft vs. Host Disease (where the donor cells attack her cells). She is home on strict isolation and the risk of relapse is very high at 75%. Doctors will use a new laser technology to test the embryo for compatibility with Hailey before transfer into the Gestational Carrier's uterus. This new technology will increase the probability that a future Kent child will be a match for Hailey from 25% to 100%.

Jamie Aidis and Dana Corraini, founders of  Surrogacy Options, read about the Kents struggles on a message board. Aidis is a cancer survivor, and Corraini was the Gestational Carrier who delivered her son. "We knew immediately that we had to help them," said Aidis.  The two reached out to Maria Kent and offered their agency services for free. "We are mothers, and this could be one of our children. How could any parent hear about Hailey and not feel compelled to do something to help?" asks Corraini.

With  support from the owners of Surrogate Mothers Online and All About Surrogacy, Corraini and Aidis posted and asked for someone to consider being the Kent's Gestational Carrier.  Twenty women stepped forward and volunteered to carry for the Kents for no compensation. After being screened, the candidates were presented to the Kents and their Reproductive Endocrinologist. Misti, a mom of three from Texas, and an experienced Gestational Carrier, was chosen to be The Kent's Surrogate. Attorneys Hilary Neiman and Victoria Ferrara volunteered legal services, and Dr. Rick Hanson offered psychological screenings. The agency is also hoping for donations from pharmaceutical companies, airlines, and  hotels.

The Hailey Kent Benefit Fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank in Simi Valley, CA. Donations are needed so Misti can begin the journey to bring another beloved baby to the Kent family - the sibling who can save little Hailey.

CONTACT:
Jamie Aidis
Surrogacy Options LLC
301-371-9995
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www.SurrogacyOptions.com

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