An Embryo Donor's Story

Our embryo donation journey started back in 1999/2000 when our second child was born.  Our first child, Haley, was born in the summer of 1998 through IVF, with our remaining embryos being kept frozen in storage at the clinic.  After the birth of our son in 2000, conceived naturally, we were faced with the dilemma of what to do with our frozen embryos.  In our minds, they were just as precious to us as our daughter and we didn’t want to destroy them or donate them to science.  After reading an article in Focus on the Family, an American Christian publication, we found out that there was an adoption agency in California, Snowflake, that was set-up to facilitate embryo donation (or “adoption” as they called it).    We were very fortunate to connect pretty much instantly with a couple in Pennsylvania who we just knew was the right family for us; similar values, beliefs and desire to have a family.  About a year later, our biological “daughter” was born to this family – a real miracle for all.  (to date there have been over 250 “snowflakes” adopted in the U.S.)

Now, almost 8 years later, we continue to correspond and live in relationship with this family in Pennsylvania.  Our children have been aware, for some time, that they have a sister and likely in the next short while, our daughter’s story will be unfold as she gets to the age where she is old enough to understand.  It has been an amazing experience.

The work that Beginnings has embarked on for Canadian families is an important step in giving families here, in Canada, the opportunity that we had through Snowflake.  Much of the counselling and mentoring that Beginnings will offer, we didn’t have the advantage of, so I am excited that this will be offered for donor and recipient families.  The ability to choose the family, know where she/he will be placed and have an open relationship is at the heart of Beginnings program.