Well, we have tried to update our Blog more frequently, but it hasn't worked as well as we hoped and we apologize. While we would like to post on a more regular basis, we find it hard when we are in the midst of a donor search. We promise to keep working on our goal of bringing you more information on our office and our searches.
Right now, we are still trying to finalize a few donor selections. We thank you all for your patience and would like to remind you that you are welcome to contact us directly if you are looking for your application status. So you are aware, we try to accurately gauge the length of each campaign when estimating for our applicants how long it might be until they hear from us. Often, our clients come to us anxious to make a quick selection so they can proceed with expanding their family. What we sometimes find as the process goes on is that it takes the intended parents much longer than anticipated to make a decision. We apologize for that, but we can only pass along the information that is provided by our clients. Again, we encourage you to drop us a line if you have any questions or concerns at any time during the application process, or if you just want to check in.
We are anticipating several selections being made this month so if you are a pending applicant, please make sure you check your spam/bulk mail folder so you don't miss an email from us.
We will have another search starting shortly and we look forward to helping another family fulfill their dreams.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
What to Do When you Can't Answer a Question on the Application
If you have read our application page, you know that we say if you do not know an answer, please do not guess. What happens when our application deadline is looming and you find yourself faced with a number of questions you can't answer? Is it worth it to even submit an application? In a word, yes. However, in order to make your application stand out to the intended parent(s) there are certain steps you can take depending on what information you are missing.
For example, one section of the application that immediately draws the intended parents' attention is the section regarding test scores. While our clients all know that test scores are not the sole indicator of a person's intelligence, it is one tool the intended parents use to start narrowing down their candidates. There are a few solutions to this problem. The first solution is to indicate a range if you do not remember the exact score. For example, if you can't remember if your SAT score was 1310 or 1360, it is fine to write 1310-1360. Another option is to indicate that the score is unknown but that it was high enough to qualify you for a number of universities and then list the names of several of them. A third option is to indicate that you have contacted the testing bureau to request a copy of your scores and that you will provide them when they arrive. This lets the intended parents know you are willing and able to provide the scores.
Another section that is frequently missing information is the family background section. Often many applicants are not aware of the education, occupation and physical characteristics of their grandparents. While this section is not as likely to standout when items are left blank like the test score section, it is still important to our clients or the questions would not be asked. For this section it is best to include a short note with your application indicating whether or not you can obtain the information and if you can, when you will be able to provide it. If you are unable to ever provide the information, it won't necessarily rule you out, but it will go a long way with the intended parents if you address the situation in an email so they understand you are taking the application seriously.
There are certain sections of the application that should never be left blank. These are the questions that deal with your personal traits, medical history and educational background. If you do not answer these, the intended parents are likely to think you have something you do not want to disclose.
Finally, when in doubt about the completeness of your application, include a cover letter. A personal letter to the intended parents addressing any missing information will definitely make your application standout. In addition, it will prevent any assumptions that are made as to why your application is not complete. What intended parents want to see is a true desire to provide as much information as possible and a willingness to obtain information you don't readily have on hand. If you see our ad the day before an application deadline, it is perfectly reasonable to indicate a time constraint as the reason you are missing some information. However, please do not take advantage of this and make sure the remainder of your application is as detailed as possible.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
For example, one section of the application that immediately draws the intended parents' attention is the section regarding test scores. While our clients all know that test scores are not the sole indicator of a person's intelligence, it is one tool the intended parents use to start narrowing down their candidates. There are a few solutions to this problem. The first solution is to indicate a range if you do not remember the exact score. For example, if you can't remember if your SAT score was 1310 or 1360, it is fine to write 1310-1360. Another option is to indicate that the score is unknown but that it was high enough to qualify you for a number of universities and then list the names of several of them. A third option is to indicate that you have contacted the testing bureau to request a copy of your scores and that you will provide them when they arrive. This lets the intended parents know you are willing and able to provide the scores.
Another section that is frequently missing information is the family background section. Often many applicants are not aware of the education, occupation and physical characteristics of their grandparents. While this section is not as likely to standout when items are left blank like the test score section, it is still important to our clients or the questions would not be asked. For this section it is best to include a short note with your application indicating whether or not you can obtain the information and if you can, when you will be able to provide it. If you are unable to ever provide the information, it won't necessarily rule you out, but it will go a long way with the intended parents if you address the situation in an email so they understand you are taking the application seriously.
There are certain sections of the application that should never be left blank. These are the questions that deal with your personal traits, medical history and educational background. If you do not answer these, the intended parents are likely to think you have something you do not want to disclose.
Finally, when in doubt about the completeness of your application, include a cover letter. A personal letter to the intended parents addressing any missing information will definitely make your application standout. In addition, it will prevent any assumptions that are made as to why your application is not complete. What intended parents want to see is a true desire to provide as much information as possible and a willingness to obtain information you don't readily have on hand. If you see our ad the day before an application deadline, it is perfectly reasonable to indicate a time constraint as the reason you are missing some information. However, please do not take advantage of this and make sure the remainder of your application is as detailed as possible.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Deciding to Donate Your Eggs
In the last few months we have had an increase in the number of applicants who have changed their mind about donating in the midst of the application process. This can be very unnerving for the intended parents for two reasons. The first reason is that it is highly likely that the intended parents have already reviewed your application and have mentally decided you may be a strong possible match. This can lead to great disappointment when you change your mind. Secondly, each time an applicant changes their mind about donating, it causes the intended parents great concern that the donor they ultimately select may change her mind during the donation process, leaving the intended parents heartbroken.
We understand that it is an applicant's prerogative to change her mind about such a serious decision, and we would never want an applicant to go forward with a donation she wasn't comfortable with. We also appreciate a change of heart that is made before entering an agreement to donate. However, we would like to strongly encourage our potential applicants to thoroughly consider what donating your eggs entails before submitting an application. Of course, we realize that the large compensation offered is quite an enticement to apply however, please consider the huge commitment involved. There are both physical and emotional ramifications to your decision to donate. It is quite easy to research the egg donation process online and we remain ready and available to answer any questions you may have. While we often have short deadlines, if you really do not understand what you are applying for, I would recommend you take your time to investigate the same before applying. You are welcome to email us to see if we can provide you with an extension to our posted deadline and alternatively, you can always wait for an upcoming search. We offer quite a few searches each year.
In summary, deciding to donate your eggs is a wonderful and highly appreciated gift to all of the intended parents out there, but it is not for everyone and we thank you for taking your time to thoroughly consider the same.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
We understand that it is an applicant's prerogative to change her mind about such a serious decision, and we would never want an applicant to go forward with a donation she wasn't comfortable with. We also appreciate a change of heart that is made before entering an agreement to donate. However, we would like to strongly encourage our potential applicants to thoroughly consider what donating your eggs entails before submitting an application. Of course, we realize that the large compensation offered is quite an enticement to apply however, please consider the huge commitment involved. There are both physical and emotional ramifications to your decision to donate. It is quite easy to research the egg donation process online and we remain ready and available to answer any questions you may have. While we often have short deadlines, if you really do not understand what you are applying for, I would recommend you take your time to investigate the same before applying. You are welcome to email us to see if we can provide you with an extension to our posted deadline and alternatively, you can always wait for an upcoming search. We offer quite a few searches each year.
In summary, deciding to donate your eggs is a wonderful and highly appreciated gift to all of the intended parents out there, but it is not for everyone and we thank you for taking your time to thoroughly consider the same.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Creating The Perfect Baby
Why not jump back in to our Blog with a controversial topic . . . the idea that our clients are trying to create the "perfect" baby. This idea saddens me for many reasons, but I will only tackle one reason today, and that is what it says about our clients. Unless you have experienced problems with infertility it is hard to imagine the great pain it brings to couples and individuals. There are many people out there who have long held onto the idea of having their own child and to find out that it may not be possible is devastating. Yes, adoption is a valid option for many, but I find nothing wrong with intended parents who are hoping to give birth and have children that look like them or share the same genetic makeup. With the great advances made with infertility treatments, it is now possible for many intended parents to have the families they may have previously thought impossible.
I think where some of the misunderstanding comes from is with the large amount of compensation offered to our donors. Just because the compensation is larger does not mean that the families we represent are looking to make a perfect baby. Yes, we do list a number of traits that the intended parents would like the donor to have. This is because, they are looking to find a donor they feel would "fit in" with their family makeup and perhaps share similar characteristics. Can these characteristics solely be determined by a donor's height or gpa? Absolutely not, and our clients know that. However, listing criteria that applies to the family is one way to start sorting through the possible candidates to find a donor match.
The bottom line is that our clients have gone through many emotional and medical struggles. They are looking to us to help personalize a process that at other agencies may be as impersonal as them flipping through a catalog to find a good match. Our clients spend the extra money to have the personal attention given to their search so that they can hopefully find the one donor who will feel right to them. In acknowledgement of the time and the effort spent on their search, they want to compensate their donors accordingly.
While many will disagree with the idea of paying a large compensation amount to a donor, please think twice before you criticize the intended parents. These are people who have been through great struggles and any child born to these intended parents will be loved and cherished. While utilizing an egg donor might not be a decision you would make, for many families, it is a welcome solution to a heartbreaking problem.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
I think where some of the misunderstanding comes from is with the large amount of compensation offered to our donors. Just because the compensation is larger does not mean that the families we represent are looking to make a perfect baby. Yes, we do list a number of traits that the intended parents would like the donor to have. This is because, they are looking to find a donor they feel would "fit in" with their family makeup and perhaps share similar characteristics. Can these characteristics solely be determined by a donor's height or gpa? Absolutely not, and our clients know that. However, listing criteria that applies to the family is one way to start sorting through the possible candidates to find a donor match.
The bottom line is that our clients have gone through many emotional and medical struggles. They are looking to us to help personalize a process that at other agencies may be as impersonal as them flipping through a catalog to find a good match. Our clients spend the extra money to have the personal attention given to their search so that they can hopefully find the one donor who will feel right to them. In acknowledgement of the time and the effort spent on their search, they want to compensate their donors accordingly.
While many will disagree with the idea of paying a large compensation amount to a donor, please think twice before you criticize the intended parents. These are people who have been through great struggles and any child born to these intended parents will be loved and cherished. While utilizing an egg donor might not be a decision you would make, for many families, it is a welcome solution to a heartbreaking problem.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New Search Posted
We are back to our blog posting and apologize for the lengthy delay. We had quite a lot of clients the last few months who were anxious to find donors and while we don't overlap our searches in terms of advertising and application acceptance, sometimes the selection periods do overlap. We have been busy wrapping up three separate searches and by now have contacted 90% of the applicants to let them know if the clients would like further information or if they were eliminated from the searches. We should have information for the remaining candidates shortly!
With those searches almost finished, we were able to post a new search, the details of which can be found here. The compensation for the donor selected through this search is $75,000.
We want to thank everyone who has participated in our searches in the past but we want to remind everyone to please think carefully before applying. Although the compensation amount is very appealing, it is heartbreaking when we contact applicants for further information and after really thinking about it, they decide not to donate. I know that we often have short application periods, but we post numerous searches throughout the year. So, if you have just started to think about egg donation, please take your time, consider the process thoroughly and apply after you have really thought everything through.
Again, a big thank you to everyone who is considering helping our clients!
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
With those searches almost finished, we were able to post a new search, the details of which can be found here. The compensation for the donor selected through this search is $75,000.
We want to thank everyone who has participated in our searches in the past but we want to remind everyone to please think carefully before applying. Although the compensation amount is very appealing, it is heartbreaking when we contact applicants for further information and after really thinking about it, they decide not to donate. I know that we often have short application periods, but we post numerous searches throughout the year. So, if you have just started to think about egg donation, please take your time, consider the process thoroughly and apply after you have really thought everything through.
Again, a big thank you to everyone who is considering helping our clients!
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
Sunday, August 2, 2009
New Search Coming Soon!
We apologize that we were remiss in updating our blog during July. Our office was quite busy hiring some new staff members and wrapping up the outstanding searches we had running. We hope to have all applicants to each search contacted within the next two weeks.
We will have our new search listed in the next two weeks as well and will return to more frequent (at least weekly) blog updates.
Thank you for your patience during this busy time at our office!
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
We will have our new search listed in the next two weeks as well and will return to more frequent (at least weekly) blog updates.
Thank you for your patience during this busy time at our office!
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
Monday, July 6, 2009
Search Updates
We have officially listed our newest search on our website. This search is going to be very short as the intended parents are hoping to start a retrieval by fall. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the search if you think you might be a good match.
With regard to other searches we have recently posted, I would like to make the following updates:
Our search ending March/April - a donor has been selected and a successful retrieval has been completed!
Our search ending May/June - our family is still looking through the numerous applications received and our office is just starting to contact people with regard to their status. Please plan on it taking another 3-4 weeks before we have contacted everyone. We contact each applicant in the order we receive feedback from our clients but you are welcome to contact us at any time if you are getting anxious about your status.
Our search ending July 5th - our family is diligently reviewing applications and we will start contacting applicants toward the end of next week to let them know their status.
Again, if you have questions or concerns about your particular application, we welcome an email and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
With regard to other searches we have recently posted, I would like to make the following updates:
Our search ending March/April - a donor has been selected and a successful retrieval has been completed!
Our search ending May/June - our family is still looking through the numerous applications received and our office is just starting to contact people with regard to their status. Please plan on it taking another 3-4 weeks before we have contacted everyone. We contact each applicant in the order we receive feedback from our clients but you are welcome to contact us at any time if you are getting anxious about your status.
Our search ending July 5th - our family is diligently reviewing applications and we will start contacting applicants toward the end of next week to let them know their status.
Again, if you have questions or concerns about your particular application, we welcome an email and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time
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