Wow, today's modern, technological-driven world has definitely reached a new peak of bizarre with this story. Last year, an Ottawa radio station apparently held a "Win a Baby" contest that offered three in-vitro fertilization treatments to those who most impressed with a 100-word essay. They ended up awarding the treatments to all the finalists, five couples total. And guess what? One couple actually did "win" a baby!
Hot 98.8, announced today that Natasha and Ryan Derouchie are expecting their first child after using the $35,000 treatment they won in the contest six months ago. But before it led ro such happy news, the contest originally sparked tons of controversy, with some calling it lewd and inappropriate and others saying it's genius.
Personally, I think it's a little of both. The way the station advertised the contest–with huge signs that illustrated a baby under the caption "Are you my mommy?" is pretty horrifying. Plus, the whole thing is kind of grossly gimmicky, especially since I doubt the brains behind it had anything but ratings in mind. And can you imagine telling your kid they're alive because you essentially won them in a contest? Yeah, pretty freakin' weird.
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But the contest __does give people who are having trouble conceiving the opportunity to have a bab__y –something that millions of couples want but can't have because the treatments are too expensive. Plus, the competition also helps bring a somewhat taboo and sensitive subject out in the open, which is especially great for women who are embarrassed of their fertility issues.
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In the end though, the main reason I can't totally dismiss the whole stunt is because it obviously worked! One couple has a baby on the way because they entered this contest. It's hard to argue with that!
Images via HOT 89.9
