The Space Between

·E13

Hope and Healing: Cancer, IVF, and Surrogacy with Sarrah Strimel Bentley

February 12
51 mins

Episode Description

What happens when cancer, fertility struggles, and the dream of motherhood intersect?


Sarrah Strimel Bentley, former Broadway star and founder of A Chance For Life, shares her incredible journey of battling breast cancer, facing infertility, and navigating the surrogacy process. From her emotional diagnosis to her path to motherhood, Sarrah opens up about the challenges, the triumphs, and the unexpected turns along the way. In this candid conversation, she discusses finding joy in the hardest moments, embracing love during treatment, and the unwavering hope that fueled her journey to become a mother.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How to find joy amidst cancer and infertility: Embracing life, allowing yourself to mourn, and recognizing that happiness can still exist during tough times.
  • The power of honesty in tough journeys: Using transparency in sharing your story with others and yourself, from cancer treatment to surrogacy.
  • The unexpected paths to parenthood: Navigating surrogacy, IVF, and infertility with resilience and the belief that your family will come together in its own time.


Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Meet Sarrah Strimel Bentley

(05:17) Sarrah’s Broadway journey

(06:43) Life changes and meeting James

(08:13) The breast cancer diagnosis

(14:36) Navigating treatment and fertility

(27:11) The heartbreaking ultrasound

(28:22) Naming the embryo

(29:57) The surrogacy journey begins

(21:51) Finding the right surrogate

(39:50) The miracle pregnancy

(42:57) Motherhood and advocacy


Resources:

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