This information was correct at the time of publishing. It may not reflect our current practices.
At Manchester Donors, we’ve been supporting donors through their egg donation journeys for more than 35 years. We ensure that the people our egg donors interact with on a daily basis are exceptional individuals – who truly care about what we do.
We understand that for many of our egg donors, the first step of their egg donor journey can be the most apprehensive, as the experience is new and unknown. And, while egg donation is a wonderful expression of compassion and a true act of charity, the process and what’s involved has to be the right choice for our donors.
That’s why we give our egg donors the best possible start to their donation journey, giving them access to all the advice and support they need as they take that first step.
We caught up with Olivia and Steph on their roles as our dedicated Donor Programmed Assistants and the first point of contact for our egg donors, for some insight into their day-to-day work and to learn what advice they would give someone considering starting their egg donation journey.
Steph: A donor programme assistant is a dedicated member of the team who goes through the entire process with you from start to finish. Whether it be booking appointments or giving updates. We are your guides throughout the egg donation journey, offering ongoing support and information.
Olivia: As donor programme assistants, Steph and I are likely the first people you will speak to when you apply to become an egg donor. We are here to help you understand the egg donation process from start to finish, explore the ins and outs (and ups and downs), and the legal aspects of egg donation.
Olivia: We support donors from their initial online application until their final blood tests after their donation and beyond if needed. Our team is here to answer any questions or concerns, big or small, as we want to ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable at every stage.
Steph: We love that we get to help our donors through every step of their journey by providing support and offering a helping hand throughout the process.
Steph: The most rewarding part for me is getting to know the selfless people who choose to donate and learning why each donor would want to go through this process. Olivia and I are with them as Donor Programme Assistants throughout their journey. We get to celebrate with them when their egg donation has been successful.
Olivia: I enjoy updating donors who ask if a child has been born from their donation. Although we can’t release identifying information, we can tell our donors how many children have been born thanks to their donation, the gender of the child/children, and the year they were born if they ask.
Hearing the excitement in someone’s voice when you tell them they have helped someone have a child is just the most fantastic thing. I also love letting donors know they have been matched to a recipient – this is an exciting part of the donation process.
Olivia: Researching egg donation can be overwhelming as there needs to be more education or knowledge in the public space, and the internet can be a rabbit hole of information. We are always here to answer any questions you may have! No question is ever silly – the more questions you ask, the better.
Steph: There is no commitment when you first enquire about egg donation, and you can change your mind if you decide it is not right for you, so don’t let the idea of changing your mind put you off even looking into it!
We suggest that anyone considering becoming a donor does their research and make sure they can commit to the process - which can take a few months from start to finish. Also, never be afraid to ask questions. Olivia and I are always happy to walk potential donors through anything you’re unsure about.
Olivia: We work alongside an amazing, knowledgeable team dedicated to giving you the best possible experience throughout your donation. We ensure the highest standard of clinical donor care, from welcoming donors to our comfortable and regulated clinic to providing donor-focused counselling with our team of experts virtually from your home.
We appreciate the time and commitment you take out of your daily lives to help another person. We want to get to know you as a person, and we love to build strong relationships with our donors, some of whom donate more than once because of the care and attention we offer to each individual donor. This allows us to create the best treatment plan for you as an individual.
Steph: We want donors both in the programme and those considering donation, that our nurses and doctors here to answer any questions they have regarding the process. They’re approachable people who understand every detail of the donation journey.
Although we work with many egg donors, each person plays an important part in what we do. Not only will Olivia and I look after you through your journey, but our clinical team will offer you amazing care from the moment you join us to the day we say goodbye.
If you want to learn more about our dedicated donation team, you can read more about them on our website.
You can visit our blog to learn what 5 you should consider before you donate your eggs. Or if you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to egg donation, contact Steph or Olivia today at 0161 300 2734, request a call-back or apply online via our website.
In October 2023, the UK will see the first wave of donor-conceived people accessing specific, identifiable information about the donor involved in the...
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