Fertility Associates Auckland have confirmed low numbers of men are donating sperm in New Zealand. The plea follows the story of an Auckland lesbian couple who took to Facebook to crowdsource sperm donation because of feeling like they weren't offered enough options through traditional avenues. The couple say they turned to Facebook in search of a better selection of donors after being told that once they had made it to the top of an 18 month waiting list with Fertility Associates, they would only have three men to choose from. Fertility Associates Auckland Medical Director, Dr Simon Kelly, says this is an accurate representation of the length of the waitlist and the number of donors available to couples having IUI treatment. “Right now we have approximately 30-50 donors, however their allocation is restricted to those on the waiting list, ethnicity and their preference of recipients. We have seen a change over the past few years with less donors placing restrictions around relationship type.” ““We need sperm donors, and this need is constant.” This isn’t due to a lack of marketing, Kelly says Fertility Associates are constantly marketing; using social media and men’s publications. “The need is constant, so too must be the marketing.” "Donors are given the chance to see choose the type of family they want their sperm to go – if they have preferences. And recipients waiting can also advertise and share their story to attract more donors.” Currently same-sex couples make up approximately 30% of the numbers of people accessing donor services through Fertility Associates.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 7th November 2015 - 1:35pm