Question & Answer

General Questions:

1. How many recipients do you donate to?
   Typically 1-3 families per month (includes local pick-up and shipping recipients).  Some months may be busier than other months.
2. If we are not successful the first time, can we try again?
   Trent's intent is to remain available until pregnancy occurs.
3. How much does the sperm cost?
   The sperm is free when picked up locally.  If the sperm is shipped, the receipient must pay for the shipping kit (see the shipping page for more information.)
4. Can we receive multiple donations during the same cycle (month) to improve our odds?
   New receipients (within the first 3 months) may request up to three donations per cycle spaced at least 24 hours apart when the calendar permits.  During busy donation months, recipients who have received donations longer than 3 months are asked to limit pick-up/shipping requests to one-two per month.
5. Is there a waiting list?
   If the calendar is full during the requested date, then the recipient is asked to check back again for availability.
6. We are a lesbian couple. Would you agree to donate to both partners?
   Yes, if the calendar permits. Both recipients are asked to notarize individual Donor Agreements.
7. Do you store sperm that can be used years later?
   The sperm is provided fresh (meaning that it only survives for a matter of hours).
8. Do you donate to single women or surrogate mothers?
   Donations are provided to married male/female couples with fertility issues, or lesbian partners.
9. What types of donations do you provide?
   Trent donates via Artificial Insemination (AI) only using shipping or local pick-up.
10. How long do you plan to be a donor?
    Trent hopes to be able to donate for at least a few more years.
11. If we are successful, would you donate to us again for a sibling baby?
    Yes, if there is availability on the calendar.
    
12. If the pregnancy is successful, do we need to notify you?
    A photo or update is appreciated for the Pregnancy History page. This step is voluntary. This step also helps allow for another recipient to take the previous recipient's place on the calendar.
13. Can a different Donor Agreement be used?
    If an addition is required to the suggested Donor Agreement, it may be possible to add an addendum for an item not previously mentioned in the Agreement. Please plan in advance in order for both parties to review the change. Reworded copies of the Donor Agreement cannot be accepted.
14. How much time do you spend scheduling donations?
    Trent tries to spend a few minutes each week checking e-mails, scheduling, and maintaining good practices. Most e-mails are replied to via cell phone, so often they are very brief!
15. Do you have any recommendations for others wishing to become a sperm donor?
    Some basic information for those wishing to donate sperm.
16. Do you donate to recipients of other races?
    Trent has donated to recipients with Asian, Hispanic, Native American, and African American origins and there has been pregnancies.
17. You are donating multiple times per month. Will your sperm count be low?
    Trent's sperm count has been analyzed by a lab and is healthy. On busy donations months the sperm count and volume may be lower, however there has been reported pregnancies in the same month that multiple donations occurred.
18. What type of families do you donate to?
    Trent is honored to donate to loving families and impressed by the wide range of backgrounds.  Trent has donated to famlies who are in the military, medical profession, government, law enforcement, and school teachers, among others. Some recipients are trying to save money and are seeking a free donor. Some recipients already have an adopted child and are considering a biological child.  Many of the recipients are lesbian partners who have already adopted or are starting a family for the first time.
19. It has been recommended that we do an official step-parent/domestic partner adoption. Will you sign an official form through our county services reliniquishing all rights?
    Yes. Please ask the county to contact Trent directly at Trent's contact mailing address.  This is an optional step after the baby is born.  The donor agreement will still be required before the first pick-up/shipping of the sperm.
20. Have you met any of the children born from the donor sperm?
    Trent has not yet met any of the children born from the donor sperm.  Some families have sent photos and updates.
21. How can the half-siblings from different recipients know each other?
    There is a large non-profit organization that tracks sperm donor children that is free to register at called Donor Sibling Registry.
22. Do you offer interviews for the media?
    Please contact Trent for availability.  During busy donations months, Trent may be unavailable but appreciates the interest.
23. Do you accept financial donations?
    Please consider making a donation to one of these causes that Trent has past experience volunteering with:
    -Philip Hayden Foundation for Chinese Orphans (http://www.chinaorphans.org)
    -Big Brothers Big Sisters (http://www.bbbs.org)
    -National Childhood Cancer Foundation (http://www.curesearch.org)
     

Questions about picking up the sperm in person:

1. Can we meet you first before scheduling our first sperm pickup?
   Some receipients may wish to meet Trent before the first pick-up. This is an optional step. Suggested meeting location:

   Barnes and Noble Bookstore /adjoining Starbucks Coffee 
   3950 Mowry Ave
   Fremont, CA 94538
   Bookstore Phone: (510) 744-9060
   Suggested time: Saturdays, 8:15AM-8:45AM
   
   (Located at Fremont Plaza with adjoining Starbucks coffee shop, convenient to BART).  It is highly recommended that both partners, spouse, or other family member are present for the meeting.  Contact trent via e-mail to schedule a meeting.

2. Can the sperm be used at a doctor's office?
   The sperm may be taken to a physician for washing and intrauterine insemination, or used directly for vaginal insemination if so instructed by your physician.
3. Can we receive multiple donations during the same fertility cycle (month) to improve our odds?
   Yes, if the calendar permits it. For higher sperm count, allow 24 hours between donations. For example, one donation could be picked up in the evening, and then another donation the following evening. During busy donation months, the number of pick-ups may be limited, see pick-up instructions for more info.
4. We would like to travel from out of state to pick up the sperm.
   Traveling great distances to pick up the sperm is discouraged and should be discussed with one's physician. The shipping option, when there is availability, may be an alternative.
5. What if we need to change the pick-up date at the last minute?
   Notify Trent via e-mail.  The date can be changed on the calendar as long as there is availability on another date.

Shipping Questions:

1. Is there more information on the shipping kit?
   The Sperm Shipper-Biological Transporter kit is from N.W. Andrology & Cryobank Inc. (1-800-786-5251). The kit can be purchased online at http://www.nwcryobank.com/ (the exact link to the product is http://www.nwcryobank.com/category,2,spermshipping ). Trent purchases the shipping kit directly from N.W. Andrology. 
2. Can the sperm and kit be sent to a doctors office?
   The specimen may be sent or taken to a physician for warming, washing, and intrauterine insemination, or used directly for vaginal insemination once warmed to body temperature if so instructed by your physician. Some states prohibit doctors from using fresh sperm (unfrozen) for artificial insemination.
3. Is there any risk of using the insemination kit?
   The following information can be discussed with a physician:  The insemination kit contains a small amount of refrigeration extender media to keep the sperm alive during shipping. Do no use if you have allergies to penicillin, gentamycin, or streptomycin antibiotics or if you are allergic to any antibiotics. Never attempt to place anything, including raw semen, or raw semen mixed with refrigeration extender media into the cervix or uterus. Semen and semen mixed with extender must first be washed by your health care professional prior to use for intracervical or intrauterine insemination.
4. A less-expensive shipping kit was found on Ebay. Can a cheaper kit be used?
   The kit used by Trent is provided directly from N.W. Andrology and is preferred because it originates from a registered commercial sperm bank in the USA.
5. If additional shipping kits are required, do they cost the same price?
   Each additional shipping kit is the same price.  See the shipping page for price and more information.
6. How do we know that the sperm that is shipped is from Trent?
   Shipped sperm is labled with Trent's name immediately upon recovery.  The shipping kit is approved packaging for biological products, sealed and brought directly to a FedEx facility for delivery.
7. We mailed the Donor Agreement.  Did you receive it?
   Please send the Donor Agreement via Certified Mail, FedEx, DHL, or UPS.  This will allow you to receive signature proof that the Donor Agreement was received and signed for.  Donor Agreements sent via first class mail, photo copies, or non-notarized agreements cannot be accepted.
8. Is there shipping outside of California, to Canada, other US territories, or other countries?
   Shipments are only available to U.S.A. addresses that can receive FedEx Priority or First Overnight deliveries and whose state laws permit fresh semen.  Shipments outside of California must conform with local state laws, consult your state's Department of Health services. FedEx (1-800-Go-FedEx) can confirm overnight shipping availability in your area. 
9. Is it possible for a local pick-up recipient to switch to shipping instead?
   Local pick-up recipients who wish to switch to shipping may contact Trent to check on shipping availability.

Information regarding other donors:

1. Do you know other donors who can donate?
   The links section contains some information regarding commercial and non-profit organizations that provide information on other sperm donors.
2. Do you have any suggestions for others who are interested in donating sperm?
   There is a page for others who are interested in donating sperm.