Call for More Diverse Egg Donors

A recent article published on Hellorayo.co.uk shares the inspiring story of Olivia, a lecturer from Canterbury, who is encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider egg donation. Olivia opens up about her personal journey and highlights the important role diversity plays in helping families find the right donor.

Olivia's Personal Journey with Egg Freezing

Olivia, a lecturer in human anatomy at Kent Medway Medical School, decided to become an egg donor after seeing friends and colleagues face challenges when trying to start a family. She describes egg donation as “a way to help enable others to fulfil their dreams of parenthood.”

Having donated eggs twice through the London Women’s Clinic (LWC) and partner clinic London Egg Bank (LEB), Olivia emphasises the generosity and empathy involved:
"You would want other people out there to try and help make your dream come true. It’s putting yourselves in the position of other people."

Why Diversity Matters in Egg Donation

Egg donation can make an incredible difference for many families. In the UK, around 1 in 153 children is now conceived using donor eggs or sperm, which shows just how vital this process is.

However, research from the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) shows that 89% of egg donors in the UK are White. This can make it harder for families from other ethnic backgrounds to find a donor who shares similar characteristics or heritage.

Olivia explains why diversity in egg donation is so important:
"For recipients and potential children, it can provide a greater sense of belonging when they see similar characteristics in the donors or shared heritage."

She also highlights that many people aren’t aware of the donation process or may have cultural or religious concerns. Programs like the ‘freeze and share’ initiative, which Olivia participated in, allow donors to preserve their own eggs while giving others the opportunity to start a family.

Curious why so many women choose London Egg Banks Freeze & Share programme? Discover their motivations, experiences and how they’re helping others here.

Making Dreams Come True

One of the most rewarding moments for Olivia was learning that her eggs were chosen for a fresh embryo transfer, a process where fertilisation and implantation happen shortly after retrieval. She reflects:
"There are potentially going to be little people with versions of me out there. It’s heart-warming to know there are families now making their dream come true, and that I’ve been able to help."

Through her story, Olivia hopes to inspire others to consider egg donation. Not just as an act of generosity, but as a way to increase diversity among donors and give more families the chance to experience parenthood.

If you’d like to read the full original article featuring Olivia, you can find it here.

Learn More About Egg Donation

If you’re thinking about egg donation or want to understand the process better, our partner clinic London Egg Bank provide expert guidance and support for prospective donors. Every donation helps families take a step closer to their dream of parenthood and brings diversity and hope to the donor community.