Donor sperm programme
Thank you for your interest in becoming a sperm donor / sperm sharer. Sperm donation may represent the only hope for some infertile couples to have children of their own, and can have a significant impact on those who receive the donation.
Would I be a suitable sperm donor?
Sperm donors need to be aged between 18 and 41, fit and healthy and need to be free from any serious medical or genetic conditions.
What is involved in becoming a sperm donor?
You would have an initial appointment at CRGW where we would take a brief history from you and outline what is involved. A semen sample would need to be produced to determine your suitability to join the programme.
If the initial semen sample is deemed acceptable you would be invited back to have a detailed history and examination. At this point blood, swabs and urine would be taken to check for various infectious diseases. Assuming that your test results are satisfactory you would then be able to donate sperm weekly for approximately 12 weeks or twice weekly for six weeks.
After you have completed your donation we would need to repeat blood, urine and swab tests approximately six months after your initial tests to ensure that the donated sperm is suitable for use.
At this point you would be given payment for expenses incurred whilst participating in the sperm donation programme should you choose to receive them.
Would I be paid for becoming a sperm donor?
By law you are not entitled to ‘payment’ for donating sperm. You can however claim loss of earnings and travelling costs up to a maximum of £250 for a series of donations should you choose to.
What is ‘sperm sharing’?
Sperm sharers partners are eligible to go through a standard fertility treatment such as an IVF treatment cycle at a significantly reduced cost. Blood tests are required prior to sperm freezing to screen for disorders such as Cystic Fibrosis that the donor would have to pay for. When the sperm sharer (donor) has completed the donation cycle their partner can then proceed with a heavily subsidised treatment cycle. The process is carried out anonymously with the sperm sharer and recipient never meeting.
Do I have any rights or responsibilities towards a child created from my donation?
You will have no legal obligation to any child created from your donation. You will not be their legal parent and you will not be named on the birth certificate. You will have no rights to how the child is brought up and will not be asked to support the child financially. You will however be asked to provide information about yourself which a child born from donation may access when they are 18 years old.
Can I see a counsellor?
Though not obligatory we would recommend you see a counsellor prior to becoming a sperm donor. This service is provide free of charge by the centre.
What if I change my mind after donating?
You can withdraw your consent to usage of your sperm to any time up to the point where your sperm is being transferred to the person being treated.
Where can I get more information about becoming a sperm donor?
You can contact the clinic directly via telephone 01443 443 999 or ask an expert email and we will arrange for someone to speak to you regarding any questions you may have. We are more than happy to answer questions and queries that you have however trivial they may appear.
More information about becoming a sperm donor is also available on the HFEA website and other helpful organisations include.
The National Gamete Donation Trust