What does being a sperm donor really mean?

“Sperm donors needed. Expenses paid!”

Many of you would have seen these words in the classified section of the papers, on the tube, and even on social networks, but what is this all really about?

There are many women across the UK who require donor sperm either due to infertility or the absence of a male partner. The UK has traditionally had problems recruiting volunteers for sperm donation, with demand consistently exceeding supply.  This means thousands of women are denied the chance to have children. We want to change this and we need your help!

“My partner and I thought long and hard about having a family. We both wanted to be parents, and had been together happily for many years, with a supportive wider family who encouraged us to go for it. After much talking, we conceived our first baby through sperm donation (and later again with sperm from the same donor). It wasn’t something we did lightly, and I am sitting here struggling to find the words to communicate quite how important the decision was, and how having children has transformed our lives. We now have two miraculous children - a son and daughter - whom we adore, and who adore each other. They are bright, happy, confident kids, who have brought so much joy, not just to us, but to our parents (particularly one set who thought they would never be grandparents), and to our sisters, brother and nieces. Sperm donation is the most incredible life-transforming gift, and we are forever grateful to the wonderful man who made it possible for us to create a family.”  Recipient, two children (donor sperm used from our donor bank for treatment at our sister clinic The London Women’s Clinic)

There are many more touching stories like this which bring home the reality of what becoming a sperm donor really means to the recipients.  Although donating may be inconvenient at times you really are the important link that can complete our recipient’s family.

If you are a healthy male, aged between 18 and 45 we would be delighted to hear from you!

We welcome enquiries from potential donors from all walks of life and every background.  The women who come to us for donor sperm are from very diverse backgrounds but they all share one common desire - to have a child, and contrary to many misconceptions, the realities are:

1.       Your legal status does not change by becoming a donor.  The law means that children born as a result of your donations can find out who you are at age 18 but you will have no legal rights or responsibilities over any child conceived with your donations. 

2.       You are in control – you can withdraw consent at any time and have choices regarding how your sperm is used.

3.       You can donate your sperm regardless of your sexual orientation- Gay or not, we want to hear from you- we are more interested in your life experiences and reasons for donating

4.       You will not have hundreds of children all over the UK with your genes- Each donor can be used for a maximum of 10 families only. 

The first step is easier than you think- simply call us on 020 7935 9004 or email us on info@londonspermbank.com .  You can even fill out an enquiry form on our website: www.londonspermbank.com

Why do men donate their sperm?

Helping someone to have a child is one of the most special and generous gifts to give. Although the press have been talking about Britain’s donor shortage and the lack of altruistic sperm donors, we are grateful for the men that we have had come forward from all different walks of lives armed with different life experiences.

We would like to share with those of you that are thinking of doing something special the reasons some of our donors are donating, in hope that you will realise that although an uncomfortable subject, people just like you are making that decision and have taken the leap.

Please note that names have been changed to protect the donors’ anonymity.

Alan, a 41-year-old actor, saw the effects of infertility at close hand. “My sister and her husband tried for a long time to have a baby,” Alan recalls. “But when she finally did become pregnant, she miscarried. It was just devastating for everyone. I felt it very deeply - in fact it was the only time in my life I’ve ever written poetry.”

“It certainly made me think about the future and it put things in perspective. Eventually, my sister and her husband were treated at a fertility clinic, and now I have two nieces – the first was born following ICSI nine years ago. So I know what effect childlessness can have. It doesn’t just affect the couple, but ripples out to all the family. I asked myself how I could help; I wanted to help.”

Like many of the donors on our program, Alan has no worries about anonymity. In fact, he says, his only worry was whether his sperm would be suitable, but semen analysis at the start of his programme found his sperm counts and motility high. “The new anonymity laws don’t bother me “he says. “When they’re 18, I’ll be 59. I’ve read that those who search for a biological father will be counselled through the process, so I expect it will be done in a responsible way. The way I see it is that I’ve simply helped someone else to have a baby.”

 Here are some of the other reasons our donors made that important decision to join our donor program:

‘…people close to me have suffered testicular cancer and become infertile…’
Police Officer, 34

‘…my partner and I won’t be having kids so I really want to help couples that want them…’
Plumber, 32

 ‘…many of my friends were having problems conceiving, so I thought about other people out there and decided this was something I could do to help…’
Actor and Air Steward, 40

 ‘….being able to make a huge difference to those people who cannot have children. A charity donation or giving blood only make a small difference, this lasts a lifetime…’
Recruitment Consultant, 31

What would your reason be?

If you are aged 18-45, healthy and able to make a donation once a week for 3-6 months then we would love to hear from you. 

To find out more information about our donor program and eligibility please visit our website on www.londonspermbank.com.  You can also contact us via email on info@londonspermbank.com or by phone on 020 7935 9004