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Meet The Team

The National Infertility Support & Information Group (NSIG) is a registered charity, formed in 1996 by a small group in Cork experiencing fertility issues. Our mission is to support people experiencing fertility issues through the provision of information, advice, support and advocacy.

About NISIG
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Our founder

My name is Helen Browne, and I am living in Cork. I am one of the co-founders of NISIG. I, along with two other fantastic ladies from Cork, Gereldine and Martina, formed NISIG in 1996, In the early years Martina helped me to run the support meetings in Cork and Geraldine assisted me with our meetings with the Department of Health. I'm a qualified general nurse, midwife, and neonatal nurse. I have worked for the HSE for many years and then I worked in the private sector as a clinical research nurse. I was in my early 30s when I embarked on my fertility treatment. Unfortunately, after many years of treatments, I had to put a halt on it as I was drained physically, mentally and emotionally. I will always have a hole in my heart not being a Mum but I have survived. I have an amazing husband and life has been kind to me.

I hope that NISIG provides a light to people who find themselves in similar circumstances to my own.

 

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Our founder

We would like to introduce our Board, Chairperson Caitríona Fitzpatrick, Treasurer Marian Barnard and Secretary Eimear Cole.

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Caitríona Fitzpatrick
Caitríona has been involved in a voluntary capacity with NISIG since 2021 and has her own lived experience of fertility treatment. She works full time for a national mental health NGO as Head of Programmes and Services, is undertaking a Doctorate in Social Studies in Maynooth University. She has a background in public affairs and politics having worked as a Special Advisor for 10 years across several departments. Caitríona is an outdoor enthusiast and credits her early morning dog walks as the best way to deal with stress and keeping healthy.
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Marian Barnard
Marian has been involved with NISIG for over 20 years, first receiving invaluable support on her path to motherhood via IVF and then as a volunteer co-ordinator for NISIG’s support meetings. She joined the management committee 15 years ago and has held position of Chair and is now the Treasurer. Marian is passionate about women’s fertility and is delighted to see finally funded treatment in Ireland. She is also heartened to see more recognition in the workplace for families who need that extra support with their fertility, pregnancy and birth. Marian is CEO of a charity, Anew Support Services, which supports pregnant women experiencing homelessness, she works closely with the board and staff around nurture and empowerment for the women who use the service. An important part of her role is implementing the governance, evaluating risk, developing, and writing strategy as well as maintaining compliance with a wide array of compliance requirements. Marian also provides training and consultancy to a wide variety of not-for-profits in the areas of governance, risk and strategy. She has a Masters in Cooperative and Social Enterprise, a Certificate in Charity Law, and a degree in Biochemistry.
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Eimear Cole
Eimear has been involved with N.I.S.I.G. since 2013, initially as a person experiencing infertility, and then in a voluntary capacity providing peer support at in person and online meetings, and now as a Board member. She lives in Dublin with her husband and two children. Eimear works in education in the primary sector. She is a singer and a runner and considers both of these hobbies as essential in keeping a work life balance.

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