Donor Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who Can Be An Egg Donor?
Beacon Hill Egg Donation donors are women ages 21-29 with no major genetic/hereditary illnesses. They don’t smoke, and they live a healthy lifestyle. We look for donors who are currently attending or have graduated from college, and who are genuinely committed to the egg donation process. If you have questions about whether you qualify to be an egg donor, please ask us!
Q: If I am accepted into the Beacon Hill Egg Donation program, how long will it take for me to be matched with a recipient?
Because choosing an egg donor is an extremely personal and emotional decision, the time it takes for a donor to be matched with the right family varies. It can happen immediately, or it may take a month or longer.
Q: Will the Recipients Know Who I Am?
Many recipients — also called intended parents — hope to give their donor-conceived child the option of meeting the donor when s/he reaches the age of 18, so being open to that is generally preferred. Some recipients request a brief Skype call with their prospective donor (without exchanging last names or contact information), while others ask to see a short video of the donor to get a sense of her personality and mannerisms. We strongly encourage (but do not require) our donors to participate in these calls and make these videos to facilitate the matching process.
In some cases, both recipient and donor want to have an “open donation” and exchange names and contact information, while in other situations, all parties agree on an anonymous cycle. We are happy to speak with you about your options and what feels right for you.
Q: Once I’m Matched, How Long Will the Cycle Take?
From the day you accept the match until the eggs are retrieved, cycles generally take 3-4 months. If you have donated eggs before, the egg donation cycle may be completed more quickly.
Q: What is the Compensation?
Egg donors are compensated for the gift of hope they give to families. Beacon Hill Egg Donation donors receive $8,000 for their first donation. For subsequent cycles, donors receive $10,000. Special fees may be offered to egg donors who meet extraordinary standards.
Q: Will I Have to Travel for My Donation?
We work with many recipients and clinics in the Boston area, as well as across the United States. If you decide to accept a match with a recipient whose clinic is out of your local area, you will be required to travel. All of your travel expenses will be taken care of. Some of your appointments can usually be done at a doctor's office near you. You will likely need to be near the clinic where the retrieval is taking place for a week to 10 days. Each match has its own travel requirements, and you will be informed of the timeframe applicable to your match once you meet the doctor. If you accept a travel match, Beacon Hill Egg Donation will make your arrangements, and you will be allowed to bring a companion with you at no cost to you.
Q: How Do I Apply to be a Beacon Hill Egg Donation Donor?
The application process begins with our online prescreen questionnaire that helps us determine if you are a potential candidate for egg donation. If you meet our initial criteria, you will be notified that you can proceed to our long-form application, where you will complete your personal profile.
All information in your application is kept secure on our password-protected website.
Your profile will include information about you, your family, and your medical history, as well as a personal photo gallery. Once completed, your application will be reviewed by Beacon Hill Egg Donation staff. Should you meet all our program requirements, you will be invited to an in-person or Skype interview, depending on where you are located. The interview is your opportunity to ask any questions about egg donation, and our opportunity to obtain additional information that will help us make our final determination.
If you are accepted into our egg donation program, your profile will become accessible to our registered recipients. The recipients will NOT see your personal contact information (last name, address, etc). Before we add your profile to our donor database, we require current STD test results and a recent PAP smear report.
Some behaviors/conditions automatically disqualify women from our program. These include, but are not limited to:
- If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, chlamydia, or certain other infectious diseases within the last year (if treated, you must be disease-free for at least 12 months)
- If you have a BMI (body mass index) which is beyond the currently accepted “healthy” levels
- If you have traveled to or lived in the UK or Europe for 5 years during FDA-designated “mad cow risk” time periods
- If you have a medical and/or family history of birth defects that required surgery (such as cleft lip, spina bifida, or a heart defect), Huntington's disease, hemophilia, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, major medical problems, mental disabilities, or psychiatric problems
- If you have injected drugs or engaged in prostitution within the last five years
- If you are a carrier of the gene or genetic mutation for certain diseases and syndromes
- If you can’t pass a drug test, which also includes tests for alcohol and nicotine
- If you have travelled to a Zika-affected country, you are not eligible to donate for six months
- If you got a tattoo or body piercing in the last 12 months
Ready to Apply?
Still have questions?
We’re here to provide any information you need about our program and how you can help give an incredible gift to a deserving individual or couple. Please contact Tamara at tamara@beaconhilleggdonation.com or call (617) 422-8692.
