What if, one day, there’s a knock at the door and there’s a donor child waiting to meet you?
BY CRYOS INTERNATIONAL
Why become a sperm donor in the first place? How much money do you get? What if there’s a knock at your door in 18 years and you find a donor child behind it with a mouth full of questions?
Cryos is the world’s largest sperm bank and in this article, they’ve spoken with three of their donors, Jacob, 26, Henrik, 25, and Thomas, 42, to find out what the motivations behind being a sperm donor really are…
CRYOS: What motivated you to become a sperm donor?
HENRIK: “I’m a donor because many people struggle to have children. It’s important for me to know that I’m helping others [to have] the child of their dreams.”
THOMAS: “I have children and I know the great joy of having them. I also have friends who are struggling with the fact that they can’t have children on their own. Therefore, it’s a great feeling to know that I can make a difference for someone else.”
Is no one doing it for the money?
HENRIK: “Of course, there’s an economic aspect, but it’s not because I need money. I look at it as a bonus.”
Jacob says that he too became a sperm donor because he likes the idea of helping other people to achieve their dream, but he also admits that there is an “economic aspect.” Jacob studies medicine and it’s nice for him to be able to earn a little extra money.
FACT! Sperm donors at Cryos gets compensated for every donation. The compensation depends on the quality and amount of the donation.
Is it embarrassing delivering the product?
JACOB: “My first visit to Cryos was of course a little awkward. But now it feels quite normal. There’s a welcoming atmosphere and the people are nice.”
Many are, of course, also curious to hear what a “donor cabin” looks like…
FACT! The donor cabins consist of a TV screen and erotic magazines. The room is light, clean and very standard looking – so for those of you who were expecting a disco ball in the attic or a small dark room in a basement – then no, that’s not at all how it is. (Sorry!)
Have you thought about the donor children?
HENRIK: “There are many people who have commented that I ‘have a lot of children running around in the city.’ But that’s not true. I think about it like this; the children that I help bring to the world become the children of parents who really want them.”
JACOB: “Of course, I understand some of the concerns you may have about donor children. But for me, the children are a part of the families and the environment in which they grow up. We, as a society, have proven that we are able to raise children and give them a great life [without sharing genes] with their parents, and from that point of view, it’s motivating for me to be a donor.”
Do you want children of your own?
HENRIK: “I have thought about potentially having children in a couple of years, so I definitely understand those who want to become parents.”
Thomas already has children. He knows what a huge gift they are and encourages others who want to make a difference to become sperm donors:
“A lot of people don’t know their biological origins. Donor children are lucky to have parents who have been willing to fight for them and who love them very much.
“I think that is one of the greatest things to think about as a donor.”
Got more questions? Then you can watch the videos about Cryos’ sperm donors on Cryos blog.
