Update from UK DonorLink � 100 registrants and counting�

Over 100 people have expressed an interest in the UK DonorLink Voluntary Exchange and Contact Register (pre 1991) since its official launch back in April. The launch took place amidst a number of well-known names in the field of public health and specifically infertility, including Melanie Johnson MP, Public Health Minister and Baroness Warnock. The ultimate aim of the register is to voluntarily match donor-conceived adults with their donors. UK DonorLink, the national charity contracted by the Department of Health to fulfil this aim is now looking to encourage those people who either donated or were born prior to 1991 who know they were conceived as a result of donations and donors to contact them and register.

Donor-conceived adults, siblings and donors have already started their search for more family history and could in the future face the possibility of meeting genetically related family members for the first time. The register is able to help with this process along with offering counselling, DNA testing and advice along the way.

Lyndsey Marshall, Manager of the UK DonorLink register says �By the number of people who have come forward since the register was launched in April we know this is a service these people in our communities need. We are continuing to encourage people to use the register knowing that confidentiality is assured; there is no intention to track people down against their expressed wishes, in fact information can be exchanged without revealing the identity of either party, if desired. This register offers a service to fill in the missing information gaps. Many people have either donated and want to know the outcome of their donations or have been conceived through donation and wish to know more about where they have come from genetically. Armed with this information many people are then more able to lead fuller lives.�

John Kilby, himself a sperm donor in the 1980�s says �I have a family, conceived naturally, and they are the most important part of my life. However, I know my wife and I were fortunate to be able to conceive in this way. I hope that by being a sperm donor I�ve been able to help other couples realise the happiness that family life can bring. Now, almost 18 years later I�d love to know who was conceived from my donation and what they are doing now. It would be lovely to know their names and even meet them, but it would be just as exciting to know they are out there, healthy and happy. This is why I have registered.�

Susan Matthews, conceived with donated sperm and born in the 1970�s says �I found out I was conceived through Donor Insemination when I was in my early 20's. Previously I had no idea that my 'Dad' was not in fact my natural Father. And although I love him dearly, since finding out I was conceived through sperm donation I have had a strong innate desire to find out my genetic roots. Everyday I wonder if I look like my donor, share his mannerisms or if I have any annoying habits which I have unknowingly inherited from his genes. UK DonorLink has given me the opportunity to have a future with hope instead of despair. I look forward to the possibility of meeting my biological father and any half siblings. Just to see a picture or have some basic but important questions answered would fill a large void in my life of which I currently know nothing.�

It is estimated that this service will be of interest to around 100,000 people in the UK alone and it is hoped that through continued public awareness campaigns the majority of these people will come forward. Anonymity is guaranteed for all applicants and all registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the UK DonorLink counselling service.