On the red carpet for “Joy”
It was an absolute thrill to attend the Cunard Gala at the London Film Festival for the World Premiere of the film Joy, which tells the story of the three pioneers of IVF and their ten years of work leading up to my birth in 1978.
Standing on the red carpet with Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton, Bill Nighy and the rest of the cast and filmmakers of the film was surreal and brought home how my mum and dad are a founding part of this world-changing invention developed by these incredible pioneers.
With more than 12 million people now in the world thanks to IVF the work of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy is part of their own history and I am happy to see there is a film celebrating it.
I have now seen “Joy” three times –a sneak preview a few months ago; at the World Premiere and again at the Watershed Cinema in my own city of Bristol the next night with my husband and children. I will be tuning in again when it is released worldwide on Netflix on November 22.
Jack Thorne, who wrote the screenplay and his wife Rachel Mason who co-created the film with him were inspired by their own fertility journey to research this story. Director Ben Taylor is also thankful for IVF in helping him become a father.
It was also fantastic to meet up with so many others who were part of the IVF story – including John Webster, who helped Patrick Steptoe retrieve the single egg from my mum that became me and was there at my birth.
I’m sure it was very strange for him seeing events that he was part of being portrayed on screen – as real life is never quite like the movies!
Also, in London to watch the film and celebrate afterwards was my life-long friend Alastair MacDonald – the second IVF baby and first ever boy, also thanks to the work of Edwards and Steptoe and Purdy.
Seeing the film has made Alastair and I realise how much our mums went through and it was lovely that his mum Grace MacDonald - who helped Jack and Rachel with their research for the film - was on the red carpet too.
Women, like her, who went through the programme in Oldham not knowing if it would ever work are real heroes as they paved the way for all those who can access support today. They brought hope to millions and joy to those who have been successful in having children.