This week,we are thrilled to introduce you to the very funny Mel of Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters. Mel has only been blogging for a few months, but already she has won a loyal audience. Stirrup Queens is more than a personal blog. Mel is working hard to create a sense of community among infertility bloggers, and to raise the conciousness of the general public towards fertility issues. She has created a one-stop resource for information, personal support from peers and a wealth of source materials. Her warmth and open discussions about her own struggle with infertility, raising her twins and commentary on everything from celebrity adoption to infertility discussed in the pages of Playboy Magazine have her readers enthralled.

When she contacted us about helping to promote National Infertility Awareness Week, we were eager to help out.

According to RESOLVE:

Hidden No More: What Everyone Should Know About Infertility

Infertility affects approximately 10% of the population. Since infertility strikes diverse groups-affecting people from all socioeconomic levels and cutting across all racial, ethnic and religious lines- chances are great that a friend, relative, neighbor or perhaps you are attempting to cope with the medical and emotional aspects of infertility.

Your best friend. Your sister. Your mother. Your neighbor. You. Here at Mommybloggers, we've all been touched by infertility, either directly or indirectly. We want to help the conversation grow, so that no one ever has to feel alone with their frustration and pain.

Mel is also at the head of an effort to help women who have experienced infertility to find one another by wearing Pomegranate Bracelets. We'll get the lowdown on this low-tech movement, and share ways that we all can participate.

These are only a few of the many reasons we admire what Stirrup Queens is all about. We asked some of Mel's readers to share what Stirrup Queens means to them, and we were once again blown away by the praise:

Manuela of Thin Pink Line appreciates Mel's passion, and personal support:

Anyone who takes on the gargantuan task of attempting to raise awareness of issues related to infertility gets a standing ovation from me.... complete with shouts of Brava! and clapping until my hands hurt.

When you add the fact, that in the middle of this effort... Melissa still took the time to reach out to me and offer her support when I lost my baby girl after years of infertility... well... how can I not simply adore her.

Kel appreciates the sense of community:

Mel is fantastic! Her blog has become a place where those of us in the Infertile World can connect and find support. It connects those who have just begun the struggle and those of us who have been on this path for years. Her support and guidance have made this struggle a little bit easier to handle.

Melissa's site has become THE go-to place for anyone suffering from infertility. It's part support group, part place to find great new blogs to read, and part (BIG part) most informative site on infertility issues on the internet.

TeamWinks is in awe of Mel's ability to touch the lives of her readers:

I'm not sure how she manages to find the time to make meaningful connections with so many of us. She has truly been our common thread. She brings big issues to light with humanity and the respect that they deserve. Simply put, she's the kind of woman, we all would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with!

Tara sums it up beautifully:

I've been reading Melissa's blog since she started it several months ago. She initially drew me in with her questions to the infertility community at large--her way of doing some research for a book she's writing with her husband. But I have remained a faithful reader because she is doing something that, according to the Mommybloggers "About" page, is what blogging is all about. Your about page says "Mommybloggers are making a real difference in this world" and that's exactly what Mel is doing. Mel has written about some very difficult and heartwrenching topics concerning infertility and loss, as well as parenthood after infertility and loss. She has made it her mission to not only educate through her blog, but to also make it a safe place where everyone, no matter where you are on your journey to parenthood, can find advice or a listening ear--an occasionally some funny tales about parenting twins!

Please check back with us later today as we sit down with Mel of Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters!