DONATING SPERM: WHAT DETAILS ARE SHARED WITH YOUR RECIPIENT?

Did you know that when you donate sperm, your personal details are never shared with people who are looking for a sperm donor?

Things like your name, address, place of work, date of birth or any other detail which could lead to you being identified are never disclosed to potential users of your sperm.

Here is a quick run-down of exactly what they can know about you.

Sperm donor details that can be given out

The only details that are shared with patients having treatment with donor sperm are those included in your sperm donor profile:

• Your physical characteristics:Your height, weight, hair colour, eye colour and ethnicity - the information people need to understand if you meet their initial requirements. The donor selection process usually starts with these basic details, with patients looking for donors of specific build, ethnicity and hair colour.
• Your occupation:What you do for a living is included in your sperm donor profile – but not where you work. Occupation can matter to some patients, who may be looking for a donor with a specific career or skill.
• Your pen portrait:This is where you write about yourself, but nothing is included that tells anyone who you are. It is your chance to tell someone about your personality, outlook on life, interests, hobbies and your own family. All the great things that make you unique. It is up to you what you decide to include in your pen portrait– we are here to give you guidance if you are not sure what to write.
• Your goodwill message to a child:This is a personal note you write to a child that may be born from your sperm, with the idea that the child may read it one day as part of understanding its origins. It is a gesture that means a great deal to patients who need a sperm donor. Most of our donors write about their hopes for the child, and how happy they were to help them to be born.

What about anonymity and donor-conceived children?

Whilst you are anonymous to patients looking for a sperm donor, you are identifiable to any child that is born. This is to give donor-conceived people the opportunity to trace their biological heritage, if they wish to.

Your details are kept on fertility regulator the HFEA’sRegister of donors and can only be shared with the person born from your sperm when they turn 18, and only then on application. Information is not automatically shared.

Being identifiable and potentially contactable to a donor-conceived child does not mean that you are responsible however. Men who donate through a licensed sperm bank like Semovoare not by law considered to be the parent or liable for any children born.

We will fully explain anonymity to you as part of the sperm donor application process. Our counsellorswill discuss what it means for you now and in the future, so you can donate your sperm reassured and with clear understandingabout what information is shared and with whom.

Donate sperm with Semovo

If you would like to be a sperm donor and are aged 18-45 and in good health, complete our simple and quick no obligation online application form.Or talk to our team if you have any questions on 0345 266 1272.