The series started with this question about how banks recruit and qualify their donors. I asked sperm banks to reply who offer ongoing support to the Choice Mom community through advertising on this website.

Featured here are responses (as of Fall 2010) to the question about how the open-identity program at each bank works. This is one area in which banks differ quite a bit, and a policy that evolves over time, so be sure you are clear on up-to-date policy before you work with a sperm bank. Reminder that I am merely reporting what they sent to me in response; I have not independently verified the information.

California Cryobank
Open Donors agree to one contact with any offspring who makes the request through CCB after they turn 18. We are very clear with the donors that when they select to be Open, it is a matter of "when" they will be contacted, not "if." In general, it takes a lot of time and energy to make it as a CCB donor. While many donors are initially attracted to the financial aspect of donating, those who make it through the extensive screening tend to have a very altruistic side and are excited by the chance to help people who want to have a family.

We have only had the Open Donor program for about eight years, but we have always offered (and continue) to contact Anonymous Donors whenever requested by offspring. Anonymous Donors have been very receptive to contact with their offspring. We contact ALL retired donors for information updates: 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years after retirement.

The Sperm Bank of California
The Identity-Release® Program at TSBC is the oldest, most thoroughly researched open-identity program in the world. Donors in our Identity-Release® Program agree to release their identity and contact information to donor-conceived adults who request it from TSBC. We maintain periodic contact with donors in our Identity-Release® Program and also ask them to notify us if their contact information changes. Prior to their first offspring turning 18, we have more extensive contact with the donors to provide them with resources and information about what it means to have contact with donor-conceived adults. We are available to speak with them and their partners about any specific concerns they may have at any point in the process. We have done an extensive needs assessment to develop protocols that provide the best outcomes for donor-conceived adults and their donors. We continue to do ongoing research in this area to make our program the most effective it can be and to raise awareness about open-identity options for people who are considering donor-assisted family building. While we do not guarantee that all our Identity-Release® Program donors will be open to contact with donor-conceived adults, we know that most of them are not only expecting to be contacted but are also looking forward to it.

European Sperm Bank USA
Donors agree to be involved in the open donor program during the initial application process. The donor’s understanding of the program is documented on several occasions during the collection of marketing materials available on the website (audio interview and extended profile). ESB-USA is the only sperm bank that is all open-access donors.

When a child turns 18, they are able to contact the bank to request contact with the sperm donor. The bank will facilitate an exchange that is appropriate for both parties. After which it is up to the child and donor to determine future contact and exchange information.

Once a donor retires from the program, they are contacted every year with a request to update medical history along with contact information. Donors are encouraged to join the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR) at the time of retirement.

Others questions to come in the series:

• What kind of genetic testing do you do?
• What kind of limits do you have on donor sales? What do you do with the leftover vials if a donor has been "used up?"
• What do you estimate about how many families report back on live births from your donor pool? What system do you have for tracking?
• What counseling do you offer donors when they join your program?

Mikki's note: If you'd like to work with one of these banks, please let them know ChoiceMoms.org sent you by clicking on their advertisement on this page.