Melbourne IVF 13th April 2010
Melbourne IVF has launched a campaign today to call on Australian men to come forward and show us their generosity by donating sperm to help other couples or individuals create the greatest of gifts – a family of their own.
Our campaign, “A donation to us won’t save a life, hopefully it will create one“, will feature online and print advertisements targeting the adult male population and are aimed at appealing to men’s generosity as a donation can provide a couple, or a single woman, with the greatest of gifts – a family of their own.
Dr John McBain, Fertility Specialist at Melbourne IVF and Head of Reproductive Services at the Women’s Hospital, said the decline in donors is very apparent, and the effects can be devastating for couples or women wanting to become parents.
“Between 2005 and 2007, the number of IVF cycles facilitated by donors decreased from 3,356 to 2,458,” Dr McBain said.
“These are the latest published figures, and anecdotally we believe the numbers have continued to decline since then.”
In January, new laws in Victoria allowed single women and women in same sex relationships to access IVF programmes in the state for the very first time, which has seen an increase in demand for donor sperm.
“The new laws have to be welcomed as it means we no longer discriminate on the basis of sexual preference or marital status regarding who is eligible for IVF,” Dr McBain said.
“However, it does mean that we will need more sperm donors in Victoria to cope with demand,” he said.
In addition to single women and same sex couples, many couples look for sperm donation due to male factor infertility.
“For many people, using donated sperm is their only chance of conceiving a child,” Dr McBain said.
“Couples may need to consider using donor sperm because the man has irreversible failure of sperm production, or failure of sperm production caused by a severe illness or trauma earlier in life.
“In order to help these people, we rely on the good will of Australian men to donate sperm to help others.
“In Australia donating sperm is an altruistic gift so no payment can occur for the donation, however expenses can be reimbursed,” he said.
In Victoria it is a legislative requirement that all donors and recipients (and their partners) meet with an approved counsellor to discuss the social, ethical and legal implications of sperm donation.
Read more about what is involved in becoming a sperm donor or email our Donor Program Nurse at donor@mivf.com.au.