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 this type 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
• What models currently exist
• What important considerations might prospective parents want to take into account?
• 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.

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Online

Sep

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

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Mixed families

Single women - Double or embryo donation - Prospective parent

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

Bristol - local group meetup

Couples with children 2023: Meetup in London

Berkshire- Solo mums - Windsor way group

South coast / Solent Solos- Solo parents group

Nottinghamshire and East Midlands DCN local group meet up

Miscarriage and other challenges during treatment in the donor conception journey

‘Reflections’ - Parents of DC Adults

Single women - Sperm donation - Prospective parent

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

Solo mums with children conceived through double or embryo donation

Solo parents to children aged 5 and under

Ethnicity in donor conception

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