Yes, they can change their minds. Not sure if it happens often or not...but below is the contact policy for anonymous donors. The oldest of our sons halfsies is 9 but on his 18th birthday he is asking to contact the donor to get additional info and then sharing with the rest of us if the donor responds.
Anonymous Donor Contact Policy Protecting the privacy of our parents and donors is one of the most important parts of our job. By sharing as much information as possible while maintaining strict confidentiality, we strive to make the entire experience safe and comfortable for everyone involved.
California Cryobank recognizes the concerns regarding the rights to privacy and confidentiality on the part of the sperm donor, all parents, and the child. To best balance these concerns with a donor conceived child's real and legitimate needs to know about his or her biological heritage, CCB has developed our Anonymous Donor Contact Policy:
We will never destroy patient or donor files. They will remain securely stored by CCB indefinitely. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, any CCB child has the right to request additional information about his/her genetic father. Cryobank will make all reasonable efforts to supply that information either from our records or by attempting to contact the donor on the child's behalf. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, any CCB child has the right to request contact with his/her genetic father. Cryobank will make all reasonable efforts to contact the donor on the child's behalf. If the donor is willing, CCB will help facilitate the initial contact. A parent may not, either for themselves or on behalf of their underage child, receive any additional information on their donor beyond the available profile. Any medical concerns or genetic questions should be directed to the CCB Genetic Counselors at 877-743-6384. While we are NOT opposed in principal to breaking anonymity between the donor and the adult child, it must be by mutual consent of both parties. We are obligated by mutual agreements to maintain the anonymity and privacy of the donor, child, and parent. The only exceptions to this rule are in instances of mutual consent by both the adult child and donor. For more information, contact our Client Services Department at 866-927-9622.
The DSR is a valuable resource for families created through donor conception and this is certainly one perspective on using an Anonymous Donor. Please keep in mind there are also thousands of donor concieved children and families who have differing opinions on this matter.
I would also like to point out that this is not a money issue for CCB as the article suggests. This tends to be a recurring theme with many of the blogs or interviews DSR is involved with. Our Open Donors do not impact CCB financially. There is no difference from a business perspective whether a client prefers an Open or Anonymous Donor.
The reason we continue to offer anonymous donors is because there are a large number of generous, talented, outstanding young men who are happy to help make the world a better place by becoming sperm donors. However, many of these individuals have no idea where they may be in 20+ years or how the decisions they made at 22 may impact them at 42. Many Anonymous Donors are willing to be contacted in the future, but are hesitant to commit without knowing what the future holds. This is why CCB's policy is to reach out to any donor -- Anonymous or Open -- upon the 18-year-old child's request. Historically speaking, many Anonymous Donors have been willing to interact at one level or another upon request.
To eliminate the option to be an Anonymous Donor would mean limiting the choices you have as a parent to select the donor that is right for you. We prefer to let each individual decide what is right for their family and choose accordingly.
tracyc375
Posts: 96
Comments
Anonymous Donor Contact Policy
Protecting the privacy of our parents and donors is one of the most important parts of our job. By sharing as much information as possible while maintaining strict confidentiality, we strive to make the entire experience safe and comfortable for everyone involved.
California Cryobank recognizes the concerns regarding the rights to privacy and confidentiality on the part of the sperm donor, all parents, and the child. To best balance these concerns with a donor conceived child's real and legitimate needs to know about his or her biological heritage, CCB has developed our Anonymous Donor Contact Policy:
We will never destroy patient or donor files. They will remain securely stored by CCB indefinitely.
Upon reaching the age of eighteen, any CCB child has the right to request additional information about his/her genetic father. Cryobank will make all reasonable efforts to supply that information either from our records or by attempting to contact the donor on the child's behalf.
Upon reaching the age of eighteen, any CCB child has the right to request contact with his/her genetic father. Cryobank will make all reasonable efforts to contact the donor on the child's behalf. If the donor is willing, CCB will help facilitate the initial contact.
A parent may not, either for themselves or on behalf of their underage child, receive any additional information on their donor beyond the available profile. Any medical concerns or genetic questions should be directed to the CCB Genetic Counselors at 877-743-6384.
While we are NOT opposed in principal to breaking anonymity between the donor and the adult child, it must be by mutual consent of both parties. We are obligated by mutual agreements to maintain the anonymity and privacy of the donor, child, and parent. The only exceptions to this rule are in instances of mutual consent by both the adult child and donor.
For more information, contact our Client Services Department at 866-927-9622.
Yes, on occasion an Anonymous Donor will decide to become an Open Donor. We do not allow it to work in reverse.
We will also contact an Anonymous Donor at the request of a child; however, that donor is under no obligation to accept the contact request.
Regards,
Scott
CCB
http://www.donorsiblingregistry.com/blog/?p=267
The DSR is a valuable resource for families created through donor conception and this is certainly one perspective on using an Anonymous Donor. Please keep in mind there are also thousands of donor concieved children and families who have differing opinions on this matter.
I would also like to point out that this is not a money issue for CCB as the article suggests. This tends to be a recurring theme with many of the blogs or interviews DSR is involved with. Our Open Donors do not impact CCB financially. There is no difference from a business perspective whether a client prefers an Open or Anonymous Donor.
The reason we continue to offer anonymous donors is because there are a large number of generous, talented, outstanding young men who are happy to help make the world a better place by becoming sperm donors. However, many of these individuals have no idea where they may be in 20+ years or how the decisions they made at 22 may impact them at 42. Many Anonymous Donors are willing to be contacted in the future, but are hesitant to commit without knowing what the future holds. This is why CCB's policy is to reach out to any donor -- Anonymous or Open -- upon the 18-year-old child's request. Historically speaking, many Anonymous Donors have been willing to interact at one level or another upon request.
To eliminate the option to be an Anonymous Donor would mean limiting the choices you have as a parent to select the donor that is right for you. We prefer to let each individual decide what is right for their family and choose accordingly.
Best of luck,
Scott
CCB