Anniversary Party Makes Front Page News!

Beacon News, Front page, May 8, 2006

'Little rascals all over the place' Fertility doctor celebrates 10th anniversary

By Justina Wang, Staff writer

AURORA — Science drew Dr. Zvi Binor into his profession.

In medical school, he was fascinated by the way a sperm fertilized an egg, which developed into an embryo and grew into an organism. Infertility is an "inefficiency" to be overcome, he said.

But after 10 years as medical director of Rush-Copley's Center for Reproductive Health in Aurora, Binor doesn't measure success by his test tubes.

He just watches how tightly his patients hold their babies.

"There are so many children in this world who are not wanted," said the father of three grown daughters. "We're bringing kids into the world who are truly wanted."

On Sunday, more than 170 patients celebrated Binor's 10th anniversary with him at Blackberry Farms, bringing their children to ride ponies and carousels — and greet the man who helped give them life.

"Little rascals all over the place," Binor laughed, motioning to the kids running around outside.

Kathy Kettley, who once thought it would be impossible to give her daughter a sister, chased after 4-year-old Elli.

Lorraine Casados, who had four miscarriages, struggled to put a stubborn 2-year-old daughter Alyssa into a stroller.

Karol Obora, who said every fertility medicine failed her, smiled down at her 21-month-old twins, Christian and Madeline.

Jana Crisci, who thought the chemotherapy from her ovarian cancer had ruined her chances at pregnancy, chatted about celebrating her baby's turning six months old.

They called Binor a miracle worker, a life-saver, a problem solver who gave them a way to complete their family after they'd almost given up on dreams of having a child.

"He's just tremendous," said Ed Arensteill, whose wife Julie is pregnant with their second child.

A spiritual man who visits the Holy Land each year to pray for his patients, Binor said he doesn't believe he performs miracles. He's just one pair of steady hands God works through.

"So many bad things happen in the world, but some days everything is right," he said.

Then, looking over at the families waiting in line to give him a hug and the children crowded around a collage of their photographs, the longtime doctor promised many anniversary celebrations to come.

"I don't believe in retirement," he said. "I believe you work as long as you're needed, and as long as I'm needed, I'll be here."