The Surrogacy Foundation Celebrates the Birth of Its First Baby Through Grant Program

A Historic Milestone for Surrogacy in Atlanta

On February 24, 2026, the Surrogacy Foundation celebrated a significant achievement with the birth of Baby Girl McGill, the first child born through its $100,000 grant program. This momentous arrival not only brightens the lives of the new parents, Shannon and Patrick McGill, from Canton, Georgia, but also symbolizes an important advancement in making surrogacy more accessible for families in need.

Shannon McGill previously faced life-threatening complications during the birth of her son in May 2022. Following an emergency cesarean section and a severe hemorrhage, she had to undergo a hysterectomy to save her life. While this devastating diagnosis meant she could no longer carry a pregnancy, a glimmer of hope emerged: her viable eggs still offered the possibility of surrogacy. As she reflected on her journey, Shannon stated, "Being told I needed a hysterectomy was devastating, but hearing that surrogacy was still possible gave us hope. The truth is, we could only move forward because of The Surrogacy Foundation's grant. Without their support, it likely would have been years before we held our baby girl. Now that she's here, it's hard to imagine having to wait any longer."

The couple was selected for the Surrogacy Foundation's grant in October 2024 after navigating through a challenging application process. This grant was made possible through funds raised at the Foundation's annual Surrogacy Soirée.

In a joyful twist of fate, the McGills met Charlotte Ramberg of Cumming, Georgia, an experienced gestational carrier at the following year’s Soirée. Ramberg, a licensed professional counselor specializing in maternal and reproductive mental health, brought both professional expertise and passion to her role as a surrogate, providing invaluable support throughout the journey.

The road to bringing Baby McGill into the world involved numerous medical and psychological screenings, legal formalities, embryo transfers, and months of anticipation. Charlotte described surrogacy as an act filled with trust, hope, and compassion, affirming, "Every journey is unique, but the goal is the same: to help a family welcome their child into the world. Seeing Shannon and Patrick hold their daughter for the first time was one of the greatest honors of my life."

The birth of Baby McGill not only represents a personal triumph for the family but also serves as a beacon of hope for other families struggling to achieve their dreams of parenthood. Zach French, Executive Director of The Surrogacy Foundation, remarked, "We talk a lot about access to family building in theory. This is what it looks like in practice. A family who once heard 'you can't' is now holding their daughter because a community decided to step in."

In the U.S., gestational surrogacy often comes with a steep financial burden, often exceeding $150,000. However, the Surrogacy Foundation is committed to lowering these barriers, facilitating ethical surrogacy practices, and connecting intended parents with the necessary resources.

Thanks to a collaborative effort involving various partners who contributed pro bono or at discounted rates, the McGill family's journey to surrogacy became a reality. Among those involved were legal counsel from Claiborne, Fox, Bradley Goldman, and mental health support provided by Thallo Health, among others.

As Surrogacy Awareness Month approaches in March 2026, The Surrogacy Foundation reveals plans to announce two more national grant recipients, bringing its total lifetime financial support for families to over $500,000. Through initiatives like these, the organization strives to normalize ethical surrogacy and expand family-building opportunities.

For more information about the Surrogacy Foundation’s work, visit www.giftofsurrogacyfoundation.org. Join them on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates and personal stories as they continue to make waves in the world of surrogacy.