Becoming a Donor: Donor Experiences

elow are testimonials from some of the donors who have been matched with recipients by NY LifeSpring LLC. Due to the confidential nature of egg donation, names have been omitted.

     "Just a little note to say thank you...

Thank you for taking such good care of me, for always being patient and making me feel comfortable and safe. The nursing staff and doctors during monitoring hours were always gentle and kind.

I really appreciate the time everyone from the doctors to the nurses took to answer my questions...I always felt like I was in good hands and well taken care off. And of course to you, Ellen and Dara. You are always on top of things, always there when needed, always sweet and caring.

Thank you so much!!"

     [ Note: This entry excerpted with permission from a donor's letter to her recipients, in response to a letter from them to her. ]
     "I never had a doubt that I am doing the right thing. Your letter proved me right.

I have never gotten such a beautiful letter before. I felt your every word; I felt your honesty, the pure intention in which every word was written.

I want you to know that I understand how important and significant what I'm doing is for you. I take it very seriously. Since reading your letter I find myself thinking of you everyday, hoping for you and joining you in prayer that your dream of parenthood will come true. I really believe that someone who goes through everything you must have gone through deserves the chance to be a parent."

     "I have a lot to say, so I thought I would write to you.

I feel grateful that you chose me as a donor, this is such a noble thing, and I feel so lucky and honored that I could be a part of such a beautiful cause. This experience has meant the world to me, I was a part of a thing much greater than me, and I learned a lot about what is really important in life. I hope with all my heart that the women that received my eggs will have a child.

I felt very comfortable and safe with your involvement, I never felt alone, you always had patience for questions, and even your voice on the phone was always pleasant and caring. I really appreciate what you are doing for parents that yearn for a family, and ultimately it is so important that women help each other.

I really cannot say enough about how much it all meant to me, I feel like my life will never be the same (in a good way) and I will always be grateful for that."

     "I would like to take the opportunity to thank you Ruth, for being there for me through out the whole experience. I felt your support without even asking for it. You were always willing to devote the time needed to take care of every detail. Your personal experience added to my trust that you know what it's all about.

I live here now, far from my family and friends. This is the third cycle for me, first time through your agency. It felt very different this time. I felt I have a friend, or even a sister - I did not feel alone, especially when you took the time to come with me to the retrieval.

The donation is such a significant deed, I wish you all the best and success in your mission to bring happiness to people's lives."

     "I want to thank you, Ruth for taking such an important part in a very significant moment in my life. The decision to do it was not that simple, but soon became a profound element in the process of better understanding who I am. Thank you for always being there when I felt I needed you. You always knew what to say, create a pleasant atmosphere, keep things simple.

I'm glad I chose to be part of something as big as this, and I'm glad I got to have you by my side. I wish you and lots of women in need that you will keep doing this amazing deed. I made someone's dream become reality. There is nothing bigger then that. The decision to dedicate myself to the purpose felt complete thanks to two amazing people, Dave and Ruth. You have a major part in the chain of events which made me feel the kind of human being I wish to be.

Thank you for helping me find the depth of meaning for the word 'giving'"

     "After hearing about egg donation I talked to my family, who had a lot of questions but helped me decide that it was something I really wanted to do. When I thought about if I needed a person to help me have a family and how I would feel about her, I was very happy to be that person for someone else."

     "When I talked to Ruth the first time, I felt like I was talking to someone I knew. She explained to me what it means to be an egg donor in Hebrew and that made me feel very comfortable. The nurses and doctors at the hospital were very very nice, and I was surprised at how much they checked me to make sure everything was right."

     "I became an egg donor in the beginning of 2004. I first contacted Ruth Tavor from NY Lifespring while looking for a job in the classified ads. We met for a long interview, during which Ruth explained the whole procedure. After I was selected by a couple who needed a donor, I went through different psychological and physical exams in one of the hospitals that Ruth works with. The staff was very professional and caring. They were there to answer all my questions, making sure I understand everything that was done, the risks and effects, and assisting with whatever was needed.

Today when I think about it I am very proud and satisfied for sharing my eggs with couples in need. The money is long gone, but this feeling will stay with me forever. I will recommend this to any woman who considers doing it. It's a very fulfilling experience. Ruth is very professional and caring, and works only with the best hospitals. She was there for me during the procedure and after, giving me the feeling I was her only donor (be sure, I wasn't). and yes, I would do it again."