Question & Answer

General Questions:

1. How long does it take to get started?
   It usually takes about 1 week to return the Donor Agreement. Some recipients have scheduled their first pick-up within 1-2 weeks of contacting Trent. Please contact Trent before sending the Donor Agreement.
2. If we are not successful the first time, can we try again?
   Trent's intent is to remain available until a succesful outcome!
3. Can any resulting child ever meet you?
   If requested by the parents. See Donor Agreement and Involvement for more info.
4. How much does the sperm cost?
   Free.
5. Is this for real?
   Trent's background (Identification) is available on the background page. National media coverage is available on the Media page.
6. Can we schedule multiple pick-ups during the same cycle (month) to improve our odds?
   New recipients (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 requests to one-two per month.
7. Is there a wait list?
   If the calendar is full during the requested date, then the recipient is asked to check back again for availability.
8. Is is possible to double-book on the calendar as a back-up recipient?
   If the calendar is full during the requested date, then the recipient is asked to check back again for availability. 
9. We are female partners. Would you agree to donate to both partners?
   Yes, if the calendar permits. Both recipients are asked to notarize individual Donor Agreements.
10. How many interested recipients contact you per year?
    Although there is a demand, most of the requests are out-of-state or requesting shipping.  Local recipient requests are much less.
11. Do you store specimems that can be used years later?
    The donations are provided fresh (meaning that it should be transferred to the recipient immediately).
12. Do you donate to single women or surrogate mothers?
    Donations are provided to married male/female couples with fertility issues, or female domestic partners.
13. What types of donations do you provide?
    Trent donates via Artificial Insemination.
14. How long do you plan to be a donor, how many children do you wish to have?
    Trent hopes to be able to donate for a few more years if there is demand.
15. If we are successful, would you donate to us again for a sibling baby?
    Yes, if there is availability on the calendar.
16. 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.  Many recipients who have had babies have added Trent as a friend on Trent's Facebook which can make it easy to send photos!
17. 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 generally cannot be accepted, unless it is a standard agreement from another sperm bank or fertility specialist.
18. How much time do you spend scheduling donations?
    Trent tries to spend a few minutes each day checking e-mails, scheduling, etc.
19. Can we request a more recent STD test?
    STD testing resiults are published on the website and the recipient may wish to wait for the latest tests to be published on the STD page.
20. Where do I get a notary done for the donor agreement?  What if I don't have ID?
    Post office, bank, library, school or university registrar, town hall, etc and ask for a notary. A notary may be able to accept other forms of IDs.
21. Do you have any recommendations for others wishing to become a sperm donor?
    Some basic information for those wishing to donate sperm.
22. 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.
23. You are donating multiple times per month. Will your sperm count be low?
    Trent's sperm count has been analyzed by a lab. 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.
24. What type of families do you donate to?
    Trent is honored to donate to loving families and impressed by the wide range of backgrounds.  Famillies include 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 female partners who have already adopted or are starting a family for the first time.
25. It has been recommended that we do an official step-parent/domestic partner adoption. Will you sign an official form through our county services relinquishing 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.
26. Have you met any of the children born from the donor sperm?
    See Tren't first impression of the babies he has met.
             -Trent is happy to be photographed/videoed by the parents if desired.
             -Additionally, many families have sent photos and updates, or keep in touch via Facebook.
27. How can the half-siblings from different recipients know each other?
    Please see the section:  About the Babies.  Also, there is a large non-profit organization that tracks sperm donor children that offers some free services at Donor Sibling Registry.
28. Do you offer interviews for the media?
    Trent is happy to describe his motivation as a donor and can be contacted via e-mail / phone.
29. 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)
    -National Childhood Cancer Foundation (http://www.curesearch.org)

    Money cannot be accepted by Trent.  Some recipients have sent holiday letters or local organic food, which Trent appreciates!  Click to see Trent's diet.

30. Is there a hidden motivation?  Do you intend to sue for compensation or child custody if I have a baby?
    Please see the reasons to donate page.
     

Questions about picking up the sperm:

1. What if we need to cancel/reschedule the local pick-up?
   Contact Trent via e-mail or send a text message.
2. Can we meet you first in person before scheduling our first sperm pickup?
   Suggested meeting location:

   The Nile Cafe (in historic downtown Niles, Fremont)
   121 I St
   (between Niles Blvd & Iron Horse Ln)
   Fremont, CA 94536
   (510) 791-6049
   theNileCafe.com 

   Suggested time: Saturdays, 8:00AM-8:30AM
   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.  This can also be a time to exchange/sign Donor Agreements in order to save on document shipping costs as there is a notary located at the Postal Annex in a nearby shopping center

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 calendar 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 the San Francisco area to pick up the sperm should be carefully considered as it may be costly and stressful to the recipient, and should be discussed with one's physician / fertility specialist before attempting.
5. What if we need to change the pick-up date at the last minute?
   Notify Trent via e-mail or cell phone if it is the last minute.  The date can easily be changed on the calendar if there is 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 sperm donations.
2. Do you have any suggestions for others who are interested in donating sperm?
   There is a page for donors who are interested in donating sperm and it describes some of Trent's experiences as a donor.