12th April 2010
IVFAustralia has launched an advertising campaign to encourage more men to donate sperm to help couples and single women to realise their dream of becoming parents
Using the tag line ‘You’ve got millions to spare, we only need one’, the online advertisement will appear on popular sports and finance websites targeting the adult male population through until mid-May 2010. The campaign is aimed at appealing to men’s generosity as a donation can provide a couple or woman with the greatest of gifts – a family of their own.
Fertility specialist, Professor Michael Chapman says 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. These are the latest published figures, and anecdotally we believe the numbers have continued to decline since then,” Professor Chapman explains.
“We have many women and couples looking for sperm donors in our clinics in New South Wales, and many have to wait more than six months for that donation. Every month of waiting can lessen a woman’s chance of falling pregnant as her likelihood of conceiving decreases as she gets older, particularly after the age of 35. So even waiting six to 12 months can have a huge impact,” Prof Chapman adds.
In addition to single women and same sex couples, many couples look for sperm donation due to male factor infertility.
“People need donor sperm for a variety of reasons, including men with an irreversible failure of sperm production, or failure of sperm production caused by a severe illness or trauma earlier in life,” Professor Chapman explains.
IVFAustralia has published a series of booklets for donors and donor recipients to explain the processes and procedures involved. The booklets cover such topics as genetic testing, timelines including quarantine periods, counselling and IVF procedures.
Those interested in donating should ring 1800 111 IVF to make an appointment to meet for a free consultation with one of our fertility specialists.