Introduction
Egg and sperm donation open the doors to parenthood for many who face challenges conceiving naturally. By choosing to donate, individuals offer a profound gift, contributing not just their genetic material but hope to those on their journey to starting a family. These open-ID (non-anonymous) donations come with detailed profiles, allowing recipients to connect with the donor’s personal story, ensuring a well-informed and thoughtful match.
What motivates people to donate eggs and sperm?
Ferticentro boasts a diverse and extensive eggs and sperm bank where thousands of men and women have donated their sperm and eggs. These donors step forward to help you and many others on the journey to parenthood. Let’s get to know these donors and understand more about what motivates them to donate.
First off, it’s important to know that donors at Ferticentro aren’t anonymous; this means if a child is born from their donation, they can access the donor’s full name when they turn 18.
Non-anonymous or open-ID donations
Non-anonymous donation is a process where we do not conceal the donor’s identity from the children resulting from their donated gametes. In the case of Ferticentro, while we keep the donor’s details confidential until the child reaches the age of 18, there is a provision that allows these children to request and access the full name of the biological donor once they come of age.
This approach contrasts with anonymous donation, where the donor’s identity is never revealed to the recipient or any children conceived from the donation. Non-anonymous donation is gaining preference for several reasons:
- Right to identity: There is a growing belief in the right of a person to know their genetic origins. Knowledge about biological heritage can be important for an individual’s identity formation and psychological well-being.
- Medical history: Having access to the donor’s identity can be crucial for medical reasons. It allows the offspring to obtain their complete medical history, which can be vital in diagnosing genetic conditions or in emergencies.
- Legal and ethical shifts: Many countries are revising their laws and practices to prioritize the rights of the child to know their genetic parentage, reflecting a shift in societal values towards greater transparency and ethical responsibility.
- Cultural and social acceptance: As society becomes more accepting of diverse family structures, including those built with the help of donors, there is less stigma attached to donor conception, making the idea of non-anonymous donation more acceptable.
- Donor perspective: Some donors prefer non-anonymous donation because it aligns with their personal values of openness and responsibility. They are comfortable with the idea of potential future contact and take pride in the help they are providing to families.
Non-anonymous donation offers a way to respect and balance the needs and rights of all parties involved – the donor, the parents, and most importantly, the children conceived through donation. It’s a choice that supports openness and potential connection, reflecting a compassionate approach to the donation process.
Diverse as society itself
We are proud that our donor pool is as diverse as society itself, featuring blondes, brunettes, people with light and dark eyes, and a range of skin colours. Donors also come from various walks of life and professions, including engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, and even members of the armed forces. In terms of personality, you’ll find donors who are independent and practical, as well as those who are empathetic and nurturing.
Among them are some who wish to become mothers, some who already are, and others who are undecided or prefer not to have children, all united in giving you the chance to realise your dream of having a child.
Egg and sperm donation isn’t usually about money
For most, the decision to donate isn’t about money. They’re driven by a desire to do good, often inspired by knowing someone who has faced fertility challenges or just a wish to help others in need. Many make the choice to donate by themselves, and their decision isn’t swayed by whether they’re in a relationship or have family support. While some donors encourage their friends to donate after they do, many come in on their own without any prior personal connection to donation.
Committed donors
Typically, a donor will donate three or four times, which is within the legal limit set by law. They often schedule their donations around work or during their holidays, and it’s not uncommon for them to have support from their workplace. Donors commit to the process with a sense of purpose and patience, going through numerous appointments, tests, injections, and the retrieval process.
Most donors are hopeful and feel happy at the thought of potentially being contacted by any children born from their donations in the future. It’s a sign for them that their contribution has made a significant difference in someone’s life.
If you are interested in learning more about what treatments we offer with donated gametes, please read our treatment pages on IVF with donor eggs, IVF with donor sperm and IUI with donor sperm. You can also read more about our donor bank, here.