Isaac's Story
Tell us a bit about yourself: What do you work as, and what your lifestyle is like?
I'm a middle-aged man living with my husband and our 6-year-old daughter in a semi-rural location, with vague aspirations to expand the family with a dog.
Describe who you are as a person?
I'd characterise myself as a laid-back, optimistic human being.
We would really like you to give us a feel for why you chose to donate? It is such an amazing act of great kindness, so we would really like to know what brought you to that point?
My husband and I had our daughter through surrogacy in California, and our daughter has since become the single greatest feature of our lives.
We clearly owe a lot to the women who kindly volunteered to be egg donors and our surrogate. They put their bodies through a huge amount of strain under a bewildering cocktail of drugs for extended periods so that we could have a child. I wanted to pay some of that kindness forward to help other couples achieve their dreams of having a family, even if the strain I go through to donate doesn't remotely compare.
Did you do any research?
I’d spend a morning exploring clinics that might work for me and a brief period researching the legal implications.
Why did you come to Semovo?
Semovo was one of the first companies I found and was a good fit as you take donors up to the age of 46 (I am 45) - which not all of your clinics do - and also Semovo had a donation clinic in Leeds on Fridays. Leeds is my closest city, and I don't work on Fridays. So, it seemed a good fit.
How did you find out about us?
On Google.
Please can you give us an insight into how each step of your journey was?
The initial onboarding process took some time. However, once I was approved, I was quickly set up for a regular weekly donation, and it has been smooth sailing since then.
Did you get the care you needed every step of the way?
Yes, they was always very clear what the next step was and what would be expected of me. The staff are always very helpful and friendly.
What your experience was like with us?
It has been a very smooth and broadly consistent process dealing with different team members. Everyone has been very clear and friendly in their instructions.
How does it make you feel about donating?
Relatively neutral, to be honest. I think if and when I hear that a family had actually selected my profile and was going ahead with fertility treatment, I would be much more excited. (or it maybe I only hear if they are successful in having a child?
In which case I would be very delighted!) But for now, it all seems rather abstract, and while I'm reassured, I'm probably helping someone out later down the line; emotionally speaking, it's difficult to feel too much elation about the process at this stage.
Would you donate with us again and why?
I'm booked in to do so on Friday so I hope so! But yes, if it weren't for the fact, I turn 46 at the start of next year I imagine I'd be happy to keep on donating until you pleaded with me to stop.
What advice would you give to anyone considering becoming a sperm donor?
When I started, I didn't realise that donating is a relatively long-term process, as you need to make weekly donations for about a year to ensure the clinic has enough to work with. There's also a lot of screening and blood tests and counselling, which do take time. So, to anyone considering, I'd just stress it's quite a commitment and to ask them to ensure they have time and energy for it.
