How to Look After Your Donor: The Finances 

Out of Pocket Costs with an Altruistic Donor in Australia

This information relates to finding an altruistic egg donor in Australia. 

Covering out of pocket expenses is often a conversation that many egg donors have trouble broaching with their recipients. Our admin team often hears stories of donors going out of pocket for certain costs because they feel awkward/guilty/nervous about discussing the topic. Money is a difficult topic to discuss at the best of times but add in all the emotions that come with an egg donation cycle and it can be really challenging for many donors.Legally, donors are not allowed to be paid for donation. However, expenses relating to the donation must be covered. Donors should not be out of pocket or suffer financially due to their donation. If a donor incurs an expense that she would not have incurred unless donating then it should be covered by her recipients.

This includes but is not limited to:

-All costs associated with the cycle (GP referral, blood tests, cycle costs, meds, counselling, etc.)-Vitamins-Petrol-Parking-Childcare during appointments/EPU-Time off work*** (this also includes time off work for partners for appointments/EPU)Someone needs to be looking after the donor for 24 hours after EPU if this is not going to be you, you also need to cover the donor’s partner or other support person-Travel and accomodation for interstate EPU
-Any complications arising for EPU after care including rare situations of hospitalisation and further medical leave/lost wages, etc.

***Sick/Holiday leave - While many donors (or their partners) may be able to use their sick or holiday leave for appointments and egg collection they still should be reimbursed for this time. Should there be a time down the road when they need those sick leave days or holiday days for themselves they will no longer have them due to the donation.

If you’re wondering if it should be covered just ask, “Would she have spent that money had she not been donating?” If the answer is no, you should cover it.

As a recipient you can take some of the awkwardness out of this for the donor by asking these questions up front. How much does it cost to miss a day of work for her and her partner? How much does it cost to fill up her car? Does it cost to park at the clinic? What childcare options does she have during appointments/around EPU? You get the idea.

Request bank details and you can deposit money without her having to ask for it. Alternatively you can load a pre-paid Visa card to give to her and top it up as necessary. We know from experience that lots of donors will downplay or make light of incurred costs so knowing some of these expenses up front is helpful to ensuring your donor is not out of pocket. The little things really add up! Making things easier and removing the awkwardness for donors is really meaningful. Bank deposits and pre-paid cards take the responsibility off the donor to ask for specific expenses every single time and instead ensures you can cover the costs you know will be incurred.