Facts about sperm donation in Canada

Becoming a sperm donor in Canada means you can help someone start a family, which is an important gift to give. However, before you become a sperm donor, it's important you know what your legal rights are, how your privacy is protected and what to expect from the process. Here is some information about sperm donation in Canada and how to get started.

• There are plenty of reasons why you should consider donating your sperm.
• These reasons can vary, and may include the desire to help out someone you know personally who has fertility problems, a desire to give to others simply out of kindness, or an interest in helping Canadian society with its lower birth rate.
• Whatever reason or combination of reasons, sperm donation is drastically in Canada, and you have the potential to help an individual or couple who wants to start a family.
• In Canada, you should know that you cannot be compensated with money for donating sperm. However, much like giving blood, donating sperm is a way to help others and give back to your community.
• You can be compensated for any expenses related to the donation as well, such as costs related to transportation or time off from work.

• There are approximately 30 fertility clinics throughout Canada where you can donate sperm.
• Once you decide to donate sperm, staff will perform a medical screening, request your medical history, and ask you to fill out a questionnaire.
• Often these questions relate to your ethnicity, educational background and personal interests.
• All of this information is designed to make sure sperm donations are safe and to help people identify the sperm donor they want to use.
• You will also have to provide legal consent that your sperm can be used in a medical procedure.
• It's important to know that you can withdraw this consent later, but not after someone has already used your donation.

• Perhaps one of the biggest concerns of sperm donors surrounds the issue of privacy.
• Thankfully, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act protects donors' privacy, making it illegal for doctors, nurses or clinics to provide your private information unless you specifically consent to it, helping to protect donors who want to remain anonymous.
• However, you can also openly provide your personal information, which means any children conceived with your sperm have the opportunity to identify you at a later date.
• It's an important decision for you to make, but if you initially decide you want to remain anonymous, you can change this decision at a later date.
• You should also be aware that you'll likely be unable to contact any potential children conceived with your sperm unless the donor recipients specifically consents to this.

• Before you give sperm, you should fully think about the implications of your decision. For one, any future children you have will be genetically linked to children who were conceived using your sperm.
• You may feel compelled to share this information with your child, and sperm donors should realize that this information will likely have some impact on both you and your children, at least psychologically.
• If you decide to donate, you should also make sure it's a good time in your life, and that you aren't facing any strong stressors related to relationships, work, school or family life.
• Often, speaking with your doctor or a counsellor can help you make an informed decision and determine whether sperm donation is right for you.
• Ultimately, becoming a sperm donor is an extremely worthwhile act, but make sure it's right for you and that you're aware of all of your rights throughout the process.