1. You Are Expected To Donate At Least Once A Week
To create enough samples to be used in treatment, we ask you to visit at least once per week for 6 months. You are welcome to visit up to 3 times per week, and for longer than 6 months if you are able. Each donation can earn up to $100, so it can really add up if you visit more often.
Other benefits to becoming a sperm donor include flexibility in scheduling, routine health exams with STI testing, and helping families who cannot become parents without sperm donation.
2. It Gets Less Awkward The More You Donate
First joining the program can feel a bit awkward, especially when it comes to obtaining the donation. We are professional and have been doing this for a while, so you can trust that we are ready to answer your questions and provide support.
“It has been a very professional and easy-going experience. I was nervous about it at first, but everyone has been very professional.” – Current Donor
3. We Will Need To Know Personal Details About You
Intended parents want to get to know you. We will keep you anonymous, but share some important information about you, including baby and childhood photos. This will help families decide if they want you to be their donor. Here are other questions we will ask to get to know you better:
- Your favorite sport/animal?
- What are your hobbies?
- Where have you traveled?
- Describe your personality.
The answers to these questions will not be used in the application process, just a way for us to show off what makes you unique.
4. You Will Have Routine STI Testing And Physicals
Routine testing for infectious diseases is an FDA requirement and keeps patients safe. Routine STI testing will be done via blood draw at our laboratory. Physicals are also done on-site with our physician. These health visits are also a great way for you to keep tabs on your own health.
In addition, there is also genetic carrier screening performed on all donors. It is another great way to learn more about your own health.
5. Donor-Conceived Offspring Will Have A Chance To Reach Out To You In 18 Years
Seattle Sperm Bank is an Open ID bank. This means that donor-conceived offspring will have the chance to make a connection with their donor when they reach the age of 18. This is up to the offspring if they choose to connect with their donor, as family information is not shared with the donors.
6. You Will Have To Maintain Good Sperm Quality
An initial semen analysis will qualify you to enter the program. Each donation is also analyzed for sperm count and motility. A decrease in sperm quality can make the donations inefficient for treatment use, so it is important to maintain good counts. Also, samples that qualify for treatment use are compensated the full $100.
We will keep you informed on the health of your samples and provide tips on how to increase and maintain semen quality.
7. You Will Be Asked To Update Us After Retiring From The Program
When you decided to retire from the donor program, we will send an annual health questionnaire. This is how we keep up with any important health changes that may be relevant to donor-conceived offspring. Our Medical Director and Genetic Counselors will make the determination if anything needs to be shared with families.
8. Not Every Applicant Is Accepted Into The Program
We get 1000 applications or more a month, but only a small percentage of applicants qualify for the program. The biggest factor in making it into the donor program is having a good semen analysis.
You can do a few things to help increase your semen quality and help your odds of being accepted.
- Exercise and eat right
- Staying hydrated and well rested
- Avoid hot tubs (and let us know if you have had a recent fever)
- Review supplements you are taking that could affect your sperm count
- 48 hours of abstinence before donating.
Feel free to reach out to our team to find out ways you can prepare for your semen analysis.
You can get started on the donor application process with an online application. Or reach out to our Donor Coordinator for any questions (206)588-1484 or donor@seattlespermbank.com.
