Parents and Donors Can Successfully Connect from Pregnancy and Birth!

Here's the letter we've sent to many egg clinics/agencies over the years:

Hello!

I’d like to introduce you to the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR), a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 that assists individuals who were conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation, and who are seeking to make mutually desired contact with others with whom they share genetic ties. In addition, we facilitate contact amongst donors and families who wish to be in touch--sometimes long before the children turn 18. In the past 20 years, we have helped to connect almost 20,000 people, and now have more than 72,000 members in 105 countries.
 
 We’re reaching out to people who facilitate the creation of happy families.  We’d like to partner with you.  Here’s why:

• As we move toward increased openness as a society, there’s a particularly strong need to stay at the forefront of the trend within the donor industry.

• 2009 published research (Human Reproduction) on egg donors showed that, while 97% of egg donors have never been contacted by their clinic(s) for medical updates, 31% of egg donors felt they, or close family members, had medical/genetic issues that would be important to share with families.

• Registering on the DSR is the only way to stay anonymous while still sharing medical info.

• It can be of equal medical importance to donors that their offspring provide updated medical information, especially as the donors build their own families.

• In the last few years, there has been a desire for earlier contact between donors and recipient families.

• Many families occasionally wish they could ask their donor simple questions, such as, “My son would like to know if you ever played a musical instrument?” or, “Is there any diabetes in your family?”

The DSR can help by providing a valuable service to your clients and your company-- at no cost to you.  (It’s a win-win-win!)

~ Andi, Oregon Reproductive Medicine
 

• CONTACT: The issue of contact between the donor and the recipient is removed from the hands and focus of the agency/clinic.

• CONSENT: Since the DSR relies on mutual consent; the agency/clinic doesn’t need to be worried about protecting anyone’s privacy.

• CHOICE: Each party can remain anonymous if they choose, so the decision is ultimately in the hands of those involved. Each party can decide how much information they’re comfortable sharing. 

• CURRENT: The sharing and updating of medical records happen on the DSR, so the agency/clinic has less work since they have provided a tool for medical updates.

We invite you to set precedent within the egg donation industry.  The DSR website has many resources to assist you in becoming a leader in fully educating and supporting families through this exciting process. In addition, I am always available for group consults and am happy to come to your office (or video meet) to help get your team up to speed on educating recipients and donors on connecting through the DSR.

 We look forward to working with you!
 
 Sincerely,

 Wendy Kramer
 Co-Founder and Executive Director, the Donor Sibling Registry

We’re registering every donor who agrees to undertake semi-known and known cycles and since Dr. D. joined San Diego Fertility Center last year, with all his male/male couples throughout Europe – who all want future contact – our registration numbers will keep growing and growing ”  

~Jenna Lake, Egg Donor Program Director at San Diego Fertility Center

"Each year I see more intended parents who want to make sure their child one day ''has the option'' to meet their donor if they wish. As an agency, I am grateful that there is a program like The Donor Sibling Registry that can be an advocate for the child, donor, and intended parents who desire this type of relationship."
~Katy Encalade, Program Director, Egg Donor Solutions

~Christine The Fertility Center, MI

 ~A Former Egg Donor

~ Kallie Wilson, MSW, Care Coordinator, Egg Donor Solutions