Skip to content
HomeEvents The Big Question: Ho...

Heterosexual couple

Member event

Online

Same sex female couple

Same sex male couple

Single man

Single woman

The Big Question: How is embryo donation different?

Across the world there are thousands of embryos being stored that were created by individuals having fertility treatment. Parents who have completed their families ...

24 Sep 18:00-19:00

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

Across the world there are thousands of embryos being stored that were created by individuals having fertility treatment. Parents who have completed their families may not know what to do with any remaining embryos and one option is to donate them. On the other side of the story, we know there are lots of people seeking fertility treatment who may be interested in embryo donation. Donating to these families could be a very positive solution for both parties, but there are some additional implications.

For our third ‘Big Question’ webinar, we are exploring how embryo donation is a little different to just sperm or egg donation and even different to double donation or embryos created by a clinic from two separate donors. Firstly, there may be full genetic siblings growing up in separate families. Additionally, one of those families could be parents raising their full genetic children. Those close and overlapping connections raise some interesting questions about how to approach the option of donation.

To help us discuss the topic we’ve invited Professor Vasanti Jadva from City St George’s (University of London) and David O’Rourke from Kin Donor Bank (UK). Professor Jadva is a professor of family psychology with extensive experience in studying donor conception families (previously at the Cambridge Centre for Family research and UCL) David is a Clinical Embryologist and the co-founder of Kin Donor Bank, a platform in the UK dedicated to ethical, human-centred embryo donation.

The conversation will explore themes such as:

• How is embryo donation different
• Why might someone donate their embryos and what are the restrictions
• What models currently exist
• What things might prospective parents need to consider
• What we know about how children feel

You can join in the conversation too. We’ll be open to written comments and questions from members, either when you register or live during the event.

We’ll be recording the conversation and will put the video in the members’ area on the website shortly after the event. Anyone registered for the webinar will get notified when the recording is available.

This will be a webinar-style event, delivered through Zoom, so you won’t be visible to others. It is exclusive to DCN members.

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

More upcoming events

Member event

Online

Aug

18

Anonymous donation - for those who don't have ID release or known donors

This DCN Chat is aimed at discussing anonymous donation and how that is experienced for us as donation recipients. The chat will be facilitated by Valentina, DCN member, and mum through egg donation to two children through anonymous donation. Please be aware that the Anonymous donation chat’s purpose is to understand the meaning that is given to the anonymous donation and how it is managed by those who are already parents. Prospective parents can join the call, however the main goal is to offer an opportunity to talk through the meaning that recipient parents give to the anonymous donation, rather than explore whether this is the best route for prospective parents, which would be best done in the thinker/tryer spaces. This DCN Chat is to offer a space to talk about experiences. This is not an educational event and rather, is offered as a peer-support opportunity.
Book now

Member event

Online

Aug

18

Couples (including separated couples) with children ages 0-3

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are parents to small children aged 0-3 years old. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Rachel, who together with her husband, has two children through donor conception. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, volunteers, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Member event

In person

Aug

23

Kent - Local group meetup- Boing Festival

You are invited to a meetup for members in the Kent area at University of Kent More info to be shared closer to the date. You can find out more about the festival https://boingfestival.com/
Book now

Member event

Online

Aug

28

Heterosexual couples -Chat for those considering egg donation - Prospective parent

A space for members considering egg donation, to come together to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Alex. *There is a separate group running for those undertaking treatment already – this group is predominently for thinking through this route to parenthood. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further support, please dont hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Member event

In person

Sep

6

Bristol - local group meetup

Come along to join this well-established group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year: 6th September, 10-2pm, Old Library, Muller Road BS7
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

10

Mixed families

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are either intending or have ‘mixed’ families – our term for those with a naturally conceived child (or adopted) and a donor conceived child, to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Laura, mum to two – the oldest naturally conceived and the youngest conceive through egg donation. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, volunteers, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Member event

In person

Sep

11

Men Only Get-Together for infertile men and dads through sperm donation

Join an in-person meetup for men only, and specifically for those considering, in treatment or dad’s through sperm donation. We are running this event in connection with the organisation NEXiS, and will be posting more information shortly about it.
Book now

Member event

In person

Sep

14

Berkshire- Solo mums - Windsor way group

Windsor solo mum group are inviting solo mums (and mums-to-be) from across the county, to join their next events. The group have scheduled meetups on the 2nd Sunday of every other month, so put the following dates in your diary if you wish to join: Sunday 11 May 12 noon South Hill Park Bracknell Sunday 13 July 12 noon onwards Lammas Park Staines-upon-Thames Sunday 14 September 12 noon South Hill Park Bracknell Sunday 16 November TBC (indoors)
Book now

Member event

In person

Sep

14

South coast / Solent Solos- Solo parents group

This group is for solo parents in the South coast area of the UK (including Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex). To sign up and to find out more information please contact Victoria, group coordinator, by emailing dcn.southcoast@gmail.com [Do not make the booking here]
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

15

Miscarriage and other challenges during treatment in the donor conception journey

This DCN chat specifically for members who have experienced miscarriage following donor conception or have come up against other significant challenges which have resulted in multiple failed DC attempts. In recognition of the particularly sensitive nature of this topic, the chat/group will be facilitated by Julie, one of our DCN Professional Members, who is a counsellor experienced in working with fertility issues and donor conception. However, like other DCN chats, it is intended to offer an opportunity to share experiences, feelings and challenges with a view to creating a mutually supportive space.
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

15

‘Reflections’ - Parents of DC Adults

You are invited to join the group for parents of DC adults. This group will be facilitated by Jane, one of our longterm members who also works with DCN. We are inviting parents of those with children who are adults. We hope this chat can offer an attuned space to the discussions that may be more relevant to the context in which children were conceived 20+ years ago, in a different climate to that which is now prevalent, with regards to openness in particular. Join us for discussion and support from peers.
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

15

Single women - Sperm donation - Prospective parent

This is a DCN chat for single women considering or in treatment to become solo mums. This chat is open for those using sperm donation or considering double donation and offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Anna. Anna is a solo mum in the Network who kindly volunteers to support others. This is not a professionally led or educational event with set objectives, rather this is a space for sharing and meeting others at the same or a similar stage of the journey. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

16

Solo parents to children in primary school (approximately 6-12 years old)

This is a DCN chat for solo mums or dads with children at primary school ages. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Stefanie, solo mum to one child. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

16

Solo mums with children conceived through double or embryo donation

This is a DCN chat for solo mums through double or embryo donation- with children of all ages. Join this chat if you are pregnant/have children through double or embryo donation. If you are a thinker/tryer there is a DCN chat available for that stage. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Lucia, solo mum to twins through embryo donation. All our Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event.
Book now

Member event

Online

Sep

17

Solo parents to children aged 5 and under

This is a DCN chat for solo mums and dads who have children ages 5 and under. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Adrienne, solo mum to a child born 2017. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Start your journey today

We’ve been helping donor conception families for 30 years. Join us to get specialist support and information, and to find a community of families in a similar situation.

Join us
Image contains paperdolls to the left the words Donor Conception Network
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.