Margot* is a mother of two school aged children, living in NSW. Before beginning hormone treatment as part of her transition, Margot froze sperm with Genea around a decade ago, so she would have the option of having biological children in the future.

"I already had one child, and later I wanted to be able to have another. Before starting hormones, I froze sperm so that option would still be there for me. At the time, I didn't really think much more about it."

Four years after her first child was born, Margot decided she'd like to try again. This required her to use her previously stored sperm, so she went through that process with Genea. She was thrilled that the treatment was successful and welcomed a second daughter.

"As I got older, I realised I probably wouldn't have any more children, but I still had extra vials of sperm in storage. I thought, maybe I can help somebody else? especially people who are struggling to have a family, like same-sex couples, non-binary people, or others who don't have the usual pathways to parenthood."

Margot contacted Genea to ask about donating her remaining stored sperm so it could be used by other families.

One thing was very important to her from the beginning was that any family using her sperm would be fully informed about who she is.

"I made it clear that whoever uses it needs to know who I am. If there's a child in ten years' time who wants information about me, they need to be well informed and know what to expect if they choose to search for me. Any child born through donation belongs fully to the family raising them and that any future contact would always be child-led."

Margot says knowing that her donation may have already resulted in pregnancies has been deeply meaningful.

"I'm really pleased that there are possible pregnancies already happening. It feels great. I'll be so happy if it turns out to be successful. I love kids, and I hope this happens for someone else."

She believes there was enough donated sperm for one to two possible pregnancies. Margot has chosen to keep one vial in storage in case she decides to pursue another child in the future.

Margot describes her experience with Genea as overwhelmingly positive.

"They were great. My experience was surprisingly good. The communication was outstanding, and they explained everything clearly and took me through the whole process. It was very thorough and well informed."

When asked by Rainbow Families if she had advice for others considering donating sperm or eggs, particularly for LGBTQ+ families, Margot shared her advice.

"If you want to be a parent, or you already are one and you can help, give that gift of parenthood to another family who can't have children on their own. It doesn't cost you anything. If you're not going to use what you've stored, why not help others?"

Across Australia there is a huge shortage of donor sperm, eggs and embryos, particularly from Australian donors. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a donor the Genea donor team is a great place to start.

Did you know:

• In Victoria, sperm donors are legally limited to donating to a maximum of 10 women, including any partner of the donor.
• In Western Australia, a sperm donor can contribute to a maximum of five families (excluding their own) through donation.
• Anonymous sperm donation is no longer permitted in Australia, and donor-conceived people generally have the right to access identifying information about their donor when they reach adulthood.
• IVF is responsible for about one in ten babies born to women aged over 35 in Australia and New Zealand.
• Around 2,500 women in Australia give birth each year using donated gametes (sperm, eggs or embryos).

*Margot's name has been changed for privacy.