WHY DONATE TO SEMOVO: A TRUSTED SPERM BANK
25th January 2017Sperm donation is undoubtedly a great thing to do, but it’s something that needs careful, considered thought.
As the UK’s second largest national sperm bank founded on the back of a National Gamete Donation Trust award-winning sperm donation programme, we take responsibility to our potential sperm donors very seriously.
It’s our job to make sure you’re properly educated and have the full story about every aspect of sperm donation and the decision you’re making.
Here are some useful additional points you may not be aware of and ought to consider, if you’ve ever thought about becoming a sperm donor, and the benefits of choosing Semovo as your sperm donor bank:
Sperm donation and your future self
Although you’re never financially or legally liable for anyone born with your help, a donor-conceived person does have the right to find out who you are when they turn 18. You might not be in a relationship right now, or have any kids. But you may have in the future – and that means you need to be prepared to be open and honest about your time as a sperm donor to avoid any surprises for your own family down the line. Remember that donor sperm is frozen and can be used successfully many years from now.
And what about your immediate family? What about your parents? How do they feel about the possibility of you helping to create genetically-related ‘grandchildren’?
This type of forward and wider thinking is so important when considering sperm donation. We actively encourage all potential sperm donors to discuss it with family members.
We’ll talk about all the factors of sperm donation that could affect you as part of the implications counselling we give you early in the process. We’ll discuss things you won’t have even thought about – but it’s all so we can ensure you proceed as a Semovo sperm donor fully informed and prepared. You’ll only be allowed to continue with us if you’re happy to do so. Your counselling sessions are designed to help reassure you, and answer any questions you have.
Medical review – free health screening for you
Applying to be a Semovo sperm donor does mean a regular health check for you. We check for common STIs and diseases such as HIV, and some genetic conditions, as part of our thorough screening process and again months later just before your sperm is released for patient use. But it also means that we could find a health issue you’re not aware of, which not only means you can’t donate sperm, but that may have implications for your own health now.
Keeping us up to date
You need to ensure that you keep us and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – the UK fertility regulator - up to date about your movements over the years. So that if a donor-conceived person applies to find out who you are years from now, you can be made aware of the application. There won’t ever be any unexpected contact from someone born with your help out of the blue – it’s why all applications from donor-conceived people have to go through the HFEA.
A committed process
Sperm donation isn’t a quick process. It takes considerable time and commitment. Are you willing to invest in the process and donate only to us exclusively, and agree not to put yourself at risk of any STIs or diseases whilst you donate to us? We also ask that you abstain from sexual activity involving ejaculation in the 48 hours before every donation to ensure your sperm count is optimal.
The Semovo difference
Whilst other sperm banks offer only one restrictive donation location, Semovo is the only UK sperm bank that offers sperm donation entirely on your terms.
We have sperm donor clinics in multiple locations across the UK, in Manchester, Cheadle, Leeds, Liverpool, and Glasgow, making sperm donation easy and local to you. You can donate to us at your convenience anytime it suits you–our clinics are open from early morning until late.
Our commitment to make sperm donation suit sperm donors has made us one of the UK’s most successful sperm banks. Why not apply to join us?
Complete our sperm donor online application form and read more about the sperm donation process and FAQs.
If you’d rather have a chat to us, just call 0345 266 1272 and our friendly team can help.