Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time

Website Updates, Email Contact and Upcoming Search

2010-02-18T01:50:00.000-08:00

We hope that 2010 is treating you all well so far. If you have been to our website lately you may have noticed some changes that were in place for several days, but at this point, the site is mostly back to normal. The redesign we were working on turned out to be less user friendly then what we already had so in an effort to accommodate our need to post a search, we returned to our old set-up.

One change that remains in place is a new webhosting company and email provider. We were experiencing intermittent problems with our email before the change and have had a few emails from applicants wondering about the status of the search they applied for. Because of this, if you have not received an email from us regarding your status, we encourage you to contact us. Also, while it is not our usual policy to email applicants multiple times to procure additional information, we will be doing this for anyone who applied to the search that ran through November and December of last year.

We will be listing a search in the next few days, likely by Saturday morning, so we encourage you all to check the website then to see if you might be interested in applying. There will be a few changes to the application, just to shorten it a bit, but if you have applied previously, you are welcome to submit the old version.

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time

New Website and Search Coming Soon

2010-02-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

We just wanted to let everyone know that we are working on updating our website. We may have the website down for a few days while we make the transition, but we are hoping that will not be necessary. We have noticed a few glitches with our current email system and are hoping to have that worked out with the new website as well. Additionally, a few applicants have experienced problems with our pdf's which should also be resolved. In the upcoming months we hope to be able to break our application down into smaller parts so it is less time consuming for potential donors to apply. Since we do not maintain a donor database, our goal is to have several phases of each search so that applicants fill out information proportional to the Intended Parents interest in her.

We hope to have the website in place with a new search listed within the next two weeks. The updates to the application process will be ongoing so please let us know if you have any suggestions.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time

January Update

2010-01-14T01:08:00.000-08:00

Please note our office is officially closed to new searches for January so we can finalize all outstanding searches. If you email or call during this month, please be patient as we are returning messages, it is just taking us a bit longer. By the end of the month we will have contacted all applicants about the searches they applied for. If you have not received an email by February 1, please feel free to email or call us so we can double check your status for you. Please note, because of the volume of applications we receive, we generally do not make multiple attempts to contact an applicant.

Please check our site again in mid February for our newest search posting.

EliteDonors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time

Holiday Happenings

2009-12-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

Again we apologize for our lack of Blog postings. While starting a Blog is something our office was very excited about, it has become very difficult to keep up in the midst of all our office activity. Our Blog had to take a back seat to the donations we have been coordinating and as such we have begun to wonder if having a Blog is a commitment we can keep. For now, we will keep our Blog active and make one more attempt to have it be a relevant source of information for our program. As always, please remember that you can contact our office at any time for any information you are searching for.

At this point, other than our currently listed search, all but one of our searches have been concluded. We have contacted all applicants from those searches to either request extra information or eliminate them from the search. We had quite a number of emails returned. While some were returned as a result of a full mailbox, the majority were returned because applicants used a school email address that was no longer active. Please make sure to keep our office updated with your current contact information to make sure you receive our notifications. Also, please make sure to check your spam folder if you have not added our email address to your list of contacts. For our current search and our one search awaiting a selection, no decisions will be made until early January 2010.

We do have a new disclaimer on our website relating to the egg donor selection process which (as of January 1, 2010) we are required to post along with our ads. This is a new law put in place in the State of California and affects agencies which offer compensation amounts larger than that suggested by the ASRM guidelines. We hope to discuss this disclaimer more in-depth in the future so you can better understand how it applies to our program.

EliteDonors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time

What's Going On at Elite Donors

2009-10-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

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!

What to Do When you Can't Answer a Question on the Application

2009-09-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Deciding to Donate Your Eggs

2009-09-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

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!

Creating The Perfect Baby

2009-08-19T17:52:00.001-07:00

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!

New Search Posted

2009-08-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

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

New Search Coming Soon!

2009-08-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

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

Search Updates

2009-07-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

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

Office Closed for the Weekend

2009-07-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

We wanted to let you know that our office is officially closed for the holiday from Friday through Sunday. Therefore, any questions you have about the application, as well as any acknowledgement of new applications received, will likely take place on Monday. Please know that we will be flexible about accepting applications 1-2 days after our July 5th deadline for applicants who have questions that they need answered by our staff. It is likely that we will intermittently check our email this weekend, so please do email with any questions or concerns you have. At the same time, please know that if you do not receive any immediate response that we will be able to address your concerns next week and you will still be able to apply for our search.

Hoping everyone has a safe and fun weekend.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

New Search Coming Soon!

2009-06-30T19:46:00.001-07:00

I know many of you are anxious to find out when a new search will be posted so I thought I would give you a sneak peek. We are tentatively scheduled to start a new search immediately after our current search ends. So, we should have our new criteria posted on/or about July 6th. The intended parents represented in our next search are very anxious to move forward with the process therefore they hope to have a short application period and make a quick selection. The compensation for the upcoming search will likely be $50,000. While the exact compensation amount has not yet been determined, it will not be any lower.

The intended parents are hopeful to find a Caucasian donor who has had a successful retrieval in the past and are open to donors who have donated multiple times. Please note however that we will not consider donors who have donated more than 5 times already. Intelligence is a big factor in the selection criteria and the intended parents are hopeful to find a donor with high test scores and a solid educational background. Ideally, a history of college education in the family will be present. The intended parents desire to find a donor in her mid twenties and will not consider any applicants under age 21. The couple is open to applicants of any eye color and hair color.

Please check our website after the 6th for the full search details!

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Extended Application Deadline

2009-06-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

If you visit our application page you will note we have extended the application deadline for our current search from today until July 5th. The first thought of current applicants may be that we have not yet found any qualified applicants, but this could not be further from the truth. In fact, at this point, the intended parents have not had a chance to thoroughly review all the applications they have received. What has happened is that our office has started to receive a number of last minute inquires about the ad as well as a number of applications that are only about half way completed. Our intended parents would like to give all potential donors enough time to complete the application thoroughly and therefore extended the deadline a week. Now, you may be wondering why we did not set a longer deadline to begin with. While there are many factors that go into choosing a deadline, we generally try to keep each search around 3 weeks long. If an application deadline is set too far out from the start of a new search, many potential donors wait until the last minute to submit their paperwork and then the intended parents become overwhelmed with applications to review. We have found with a 3 week long application period that the profiles tend to arrive in a steady manner preventing a large rush of applications in the last few days. Also, with this particular search, we decided that accepting applications through the 4th of July holiday weekend may allow many potential applicants the extra time to apply that they needed so that they do not have to wait until our next search.

In summary, if you have already applied, please know that your application is still under consideration and that our extended deadline is no reflection as to the quality of applications we have received. On the other hand, if you still want to apply, please take this extra week to fill out the paperwork as thoroughly as possible and submit it at your convenience. As always, our office and the intended parents remain grateful for your participation in this search.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Humor and Your Application

2009-06-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

More often than you might think, we come across an application where the applicant has attempted to instill a sense of humor into her answers. Unfortunately, the humor rarely comes across well and actually can be detrimental to the applicant. While we do not want to stifle an applicant’s personality, this is a very personal, emotional and serious process for our intended parents. The intended parents look favorably on applicants who show a sense of sincerity and approach the application with honest, thorough and straight forward answers. An attempt at humor on the Personal Profile can make an applicant seem as if she is not taking the process seriously or as if she is filling out the application on a whim. This can be very unsettling to our intended parents.

Does this mean the intended parents aren’t interested in truly understanding the applicants and their personalities? Absolutely not! Often the intended parents are hopeful of finding donors who have similar personality characteristics as them which can often include a sense of humor. The key to a successful application is knowing when to share this side of your personality. There are two opportunities for an applicant’s personality to truly shine through and both are further into the process. The first opportunity is if we request for you to write a short bio about yourself. This gives the intended parents a quick glimpse into your life and what’s important to you. The second opportunity is when you are requested to complete a Supplemental Questionnaire. This is a follow-up application with a main goal of getting to know an applicant’s personality and character through a series of short answer questions. Both of these would be ideal times for your humor and real sense of who you are to shine through.

Remember, the Personal Profile is the intended parent’s first glimpse of you. If you approach the initial application in a straight forward manner, you are much more likely to make a good impression so that the intended parents become interested in knowing even more about you.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

How Often Do You Post New Searches?

2009-06-22T17:47:00.001-07:00

I know it can be frustrating for potential donors to see criteria posted that they don't fit. This makes applicants wonder how long until a new search is posted. Unfortunately, we do not post new searches at regular intervals. The reason for this is two fold. The first is that our clients can specify how long they would like their ad campaign to run and how long they want to accept applications for. The second is that many clients like to wait for certain times of the year when they are more likely to catch the attention of a potential donor. For example, intended parents looking for a donor in college may not advertise during finals, midterms or spring break and may instead wait until after these times. Search postings also depend on demand. It may be possible that we simply do not have any intended parents who are actively advertising for a donor and instead we are spending our time helping current clients sort through the information they have already received.

We plan to always update this blog as well as our Twitter (@elitedonors) when we post new searches so that is one way to be alerted to potential new donor opportunities. Alternatively, for some exceptional candidates, we are willing to email them personally when new searches arise that we think they would be a good match for. What we require for this is for an initial application to be submitted with a photograph. We will review the profile and if we determine you are a candidate our upcoming or potential clients would be interested in, we will keep your email address on file. We will *not* keep your entire profile. Instead, we will email you when any new searches are posted that you would be a good fit for. Then, at that time, you can review the criteria and decide if you would like to apply. There is never any obligation to apply, this is just a convenience service for well qualified donors so they do not have to continue checking our website.

As we continue to expand our business to make it the most convenient, personalized and private service available to intended parents and donors, we always welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Office Visits

2009-06-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Periodically we get emails from potential donors who would like to stop by our office to fill out an application. Like many donor matching agencies, our office does not accept walk-in candidates. The reason for this is simply because our office deals with too many applicants at a time to accommodate such a request. Not to mention the fact that the application is rather lengthy and time consuming. Additionally, our application asks for a significant amount of detailed information which most applicants will not have available to them if they come in to our office.

That is not to say that we are never open to a potential donor visiting our office. Once our intended parents have narrowed down their choices significantly, if an applicant felt uncomfortable proceeding without visiting our office, we would be more than happy to arrange an in person meeting with our program manager. In the interim, our staff is always available to answer questions via telephone or email. We also hope to be continue this blog with more posts which shed light onto how our organization and the donor process works.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Protecting Applicant Privacy - Where Does Your Information Go?

2009-06-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

It is natural to have concerns about providing your personal information to an agency over the Internet. To alleviate some potential concerns I thought I would address how your information is handled once it reaches our office.

Our first step is to check your submitted documentation to make sure all necessary parts of the application are present. We check to make sure your Profile is complete, your photos are clear and that your Authorization has an actual signature (not just a typed name). Once this is done we email you to let you know your information has been received and to provide you with a potential time line for hearing back from us. Please be advised that the time line given is only an estimate and the amount of time it takes us to get back to you may vary. Next, our program manager reviews and screens each application. She then forwards your photographs and Personal Profile to the Intended Parents. As mentioned in an earlier blog, the Authorization with all your contact information is not seen by our clients. Additionally, the Intended Parents do not see the signature line on the Personal Profile which discloses your last name. All Intended Parents sign a contract with a confidentiality clause, so they are not allowed to share any of the information they learn about you with anyone else.

If you are not selected by the Intended Parents, we will notify you of such and then the electronic version of your information is deleted and any hard copies our office has are shredded. We never, under any circumstance, sell or share your information. If you specifically request it, we may keep your email address and a few notes regarding your Profile on file so we can alert you to future searches you might be a good fit for. However, we do not keep your actual application or photos on file. While some donors find the need to reapply a bit frustrating, it provides a wonderful level of privacy that most programs do not offer. You never have to worry that your information will be passed around to multiple clients or other agencies. Additionally, our policies should alleviate any concerns you may have about the possibility of being contacted at a later date when you might not even be interested in donating.

All in all, we pride ourselves of the level of privacy afforded our applicants and feel it is one reason we attract such great candidates.

If you have any specific questions about the way our program works, please feel free to contact us.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Is This the Search for Me?

2009-06-12T22:55:00.000-07:00

If you have decided you would like to donate your eggs and help a couple create a family you may be asking yourself, is this the search for me?

I would first suggest that you carefully read our criteria page which details exactly what our current clients are looking for. As of the writing of this blog the couple we are currently representing is looking for the following in a donor:

Caucasian
Attractive
Brunette
Height 5'3 to 5'6
18-28 years old
Proven Intelligence
No genetic medical problems

After reviewing the criteria you may feel like you are a good match in most areas but you are a bit taller than the range listed or you are not sure what proven intelligence means. You will see that many of the criteria listed on our search page link to more detailed descriptions. In the descriptions you will find which characteristics our clients are flexible on. For example, for this particular search the clients hope to find a donor who is no taller than 5'6 but they are flexible about this and will not let a donor's height keep them from considering an otherwise perfect candidate. On the other hand, you will learn from reading about the age criteria that our office does not work with donors over age 31. While we continually receive emails from donors who feel we are discriminating with this age limit or who ask us to make an exception, this is actually a medical issue and most of the doctors we work with set these or similar guidelines.

If you fall within the range of what our clients are looking for, we would strongly encourage you to apply. While you may not be selected for this search, you can easily save a copy of your application to your computer and you will be ready to submit your profile again the next time a promising search arises.

Sometimes potential donors read the compensation amount and decide they are going to apply even though they are not close to what the family is looking for. While you are welcome to do this, please consider that there are usually numerous qualified applicants applying for each search and factor that into your decision about whether or not to fill out the application.

That being said, I would definitely encourage those potential donors who match most of our criteria to submit an application. If you feel uncertain about whether or not any particular search would be a good match for you, you are always welcome to contact us with any questions. Please be assured that we represent wonderful clients who are extremely grateful to all the potential donors who take the time to apply to their search.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Receiving Your Compensation

2009-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

You’ve been selected as the donor for one of our clients and now you want to know, how can I insure I get paid?

How to collect your compensation is a very valid and important question. In the last year it seems there has been a rash of reports of agencies absconding with compensation funds. These situations leave all of the parties involved heartbroken and helpless. One reason this occurs is because there are no licensing or bonding requirements for starting an egg donor or surrogacy matching agency. Literally any person can say they are an egg donor/surrogacy agency and start offering their services.

To ensure the safety and legitimacy of our program for our clients and donors (and ultimately for our own agency) we simply do not handle the compensation funds. We require our clients to utilize a third party attorney to handle the compensation distribution. Attorneys have Rules of Professional Conduct which mandate how they must handle such funds for everyone’s protection. While there may be some unscrupulous attorneys, the chance of running into one of those seems much less likely then running into a fly by night agency. Attorneys also have licensing and educational requirements which give them much more to lose if they make poor decisions.

The attorney handling the compensation funds will confirm to the donor that he or she has received the entire agreed upon compensation amount and that those funds are ready and available to be paid out. This confirmation should take place before the donor signs any contract to donate. Upon the signing of the contract the donor should be paid a small pre-determined portion of the compensation and then the remainder is paid shortly after the retrieval. All compensation funds are paid directly from the attorney’s trust account to the donor.

Rest assured, just because we do not handle the compensation funds does not mean that the numerous agencies out there that do are dishonest. Just make sure any agency you deal with clearly explains to you how the compensation funds are handled and make sure you feel comfortable with what they tell you. The good thing about having multiple agencies available is that there are plenty of options for donors to choose from. If you don’t feel comfortable working with a particular agency, please go ahead and look for another.

Regardless of which agency you choose to work with, you are doing a wonderful deed for all of the intended parents out there, and for that, all of us in this industry thank you.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Don't You Offer $100,000 to All Your Donors?

2009-06-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

I occasionally receive an email from a potential donor asking about the fluctuating compensation amounts advertised on our website. As we coordinate client specific searches and do not maintain a database of donors, the compensation offered usually varies from search to search. Elite Donors will help our clients decide on a compensation amount, but we never demand a certain number be offered. Please know that if you are selected to donate you will receive the compensation amount offered for the search you applied to.

In fact, we will never allow a client to lower their compensation offer. Each client who consults with our office is apprised of the total potential cost of utilizing an egg donor and the associated IVF fees, not just our agency fees. In a rare circumstance a client may choose to stop using our service and retain another agency to help them, but we would never allow a client to advertise one fee and then try to lower the advertised fee or offer a smaller compensation to the donor.

While it has never happened to date, we would consider allowing a client to increase the amount of compensation offered. If this is ever done during a search, this increased compensation amount would be available to all applicants of that search, not just the ones who applied after the increased compensation was advertised.

Because we still utilize print ads, it is possible to run across an old ad offering a different compensation amount then the one currently advertised on our website. The same can happen if a search ends early as our advertising contracts are always pre-booked. To avoid this, we are contemplating switching to a new ad format which lists a compensation range (such as "Compensation $50,000-$100,000") instead of a specific amount. The only problem with that is that most clients like to see their specific compensation amount stated in the ads. While we determine how to best deal with this issue, rest assured that our current compensation amount is always listed on our criteria page. As the compensation amounts fluctuate by client, you can continue checking back until you find the right circumstance under which you would like to apply.

Hopefully this addresses any concerns you may have. Please check back for our next blog which will address how the compensation funds are handled.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

New Search Posted

2009-06-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't visited our website lately please stop by and view our newest search that will be running through the end of the month.

One of the most exciting parts of my job is speaking with potential new clients. Making that connection and hearing the excitement and relief from a client when they realize that someone is out there who will help them find just what they are looking for brings such joy. I receive numerous emails and calls from intended parents who are frustrated and overwhelmed with the process of finding a donor. Many times, by the time the intended parents contact us, they are somewhat discouraged about finding a donor they feel would "fit in" with their family. Intended parents are happy to speak to us and realize that we are going to take the time to understand them. In addition to understanding their needs, we are going to set out specifically to search out a match for them that meets those needs. Of course, the best part of this process is when an intended parent comes across a donor and says "that is the person for me. I didn't think I would ever find such a perfect match; she reminds me of myself when I was her age."

The intended parents represented with our current search are a wonderful couple and I am excited for that day when they say, "yes, that's the perfect donor for us."

If you think you might be the perfect donor for someone, please keep our website bookmarked - we would love to receive an application from you if you fit our current criteria.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Application Tips - Part 2

2009-06-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

THE PHOTOS

We ask all applicants to submit photos with their paperwork, including one close-up and one full length. I know many applicants often have a hard time choosing photos so here are some tips:

PLEASE DO:

Submit 2 - 4 photos.
Intended parents usually like to see more than 1 shot but many more than 4 is just not necessary.

Send quality photos that can be printed out in a 4x6 size.
If you have concerns about your photos, try uploading them to a photo printing site. Most sites will tell you if the quality of the photo will print well as a 4x6 photo. It is frustrating to receive tiny and/or low resolution photos.

Send candid shots showing you doing something you love.
Intended parents love to see candid photos of applicants involved in their hobbies or pastimes. Some examples are: photos of you playing a sport, relaxing outdoors, or playing with a family pet.

Send natural photos.
Applicants dressed casually and showing a great smile are always appealing.

PLEASE DO NOT:

Send photos where your face is obscured by hats, sunglasses, or other objects.

Send photos that are suggestive in nature. Please remember that our clients are looking for someone to help them create their family.

Send group photos with more than 5 people in the photo.

Send photos via facsimile – the quality is too poor.

Send photos that you would not feel comfortable showing your parents.

Frequently Asked Photo Questions:

Q) May I submit a bathing suit photo?
A) Bathing suit photos are fine as long as they are not suggestive in nature.

Q) I have had professional photos taken, may I submit those?
A) Professional photos are always welcome however please try and submit a candid photo as well.

Q) Is it appropriate to submit photos of my wedding?
A) Yes, wedding photos are fine.

Q) May I submit photos of my family (i.e., children, parents, siblings, etc)?
A) We would prefer to simply receive photos of the applicant and later in the process we will request family photos from the applicants we are most interested in.

If you still have questions about the right type of photos to submit, please feel free to contact us, we are always happy to help.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

How To Submit a Successful Application - Part 1

2009-06-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to send a batch of "thank you for applying but you have not been selected" letters to applicants that applied to searches ending in January and April of this year. While preparing to do this it occurred to me that potential donors may be looking for the key to submitting a successful application.

Now, I must be frank. Since we only handle one search at a time, it is often difficult to be chosen as the donor no matter how qualified and sincere you are. However, even if you are not chosen, you may strike me as such an outstanding applicant that if I see you apply again to another search, I will recommend that the intended parents look over your application first.

One key to being successful is to think of the process as if you are applying to a job. You want to present yourself in the best possible light. This means . . . follow the directions. Read our application page thoroughly and make sure you are submitting all of the requested documentation. When we have an active search our “Apply Now” page gives clear instructions on what to submit and which email to submit it to. It also directs you to the page with our contact information where you have access to our mailing address and fax number.

Next, check your spelling. It is frightening how many emails I get where people are misspelling the word "donor." You should also remember that the first impression you make on me is going to be the impression I share with the intended parents. It is never proper to communicate in text or instant message speak.

Finally, be thorough. While we do not expect applicants to know all the details requested on the application, answer as much as you can. Make sure you do not miss any questions, and if you do not have information available to you, include a note to us indicating that you will gather the information if needed.

Those are the tips for today. Tomorrow I will talk about the best photographs to submit with your application. Until then, thank you for your interest in helping to make our clients’ dreams come true.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Identity Theft and our Authorization Form

2009-06-02T12:49:00.001-07:00

I know many applicants have concerns about filling out the Authorization form however this document is required. The Authorization protects both parties, the applicants and the intended parents. If you read the Authorization closely you will see it allows our office to provide the information you supply us with to the "Intended Parent(s), Attorney, Physician and Psychologist, or their authorized representative(s)." In writing you clearly have a list of the only people who will be allowed to see your information. Without this document, we have no record of the fact that you have agreed to let us share you information with the network of people who will be involved in the egg donor process. In the same respect, if you do not complete the Authorization you have no tangible proof that you have limited the people we can share your information with.

Previously, our Authorization contained sections for an applicant's Driver's License Number and Social Security Number. While we still require this information, we now only request it from applicants we send for medical or psychological screenings. The only information we request initially is your basic contact information and your birth date to confirm that you are eligible to apply for our program.

In terms of identity theft, you are not providing us with much more then we could get from the white pages. If you have that grave of a concern about your birth date, you are welcome to solely provide your month and year of birth until we express further interest in you. We are also open to suggestions as to how to present the Authorization form so that it is not such a concern to our applicants . . . please feel free to weigh in =)

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Thank You To All Our Applicants

2009-06-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who applied to our search. We are still working hard on acknowledging each application that has come in and verifying that all the pertinent information was included. It may take us through Tuesday to do this, but rest assured that we will let you know your application has been received. Once that is done, my assistants and I will prepare the information for forwarding to the intended parents. It will take us a week or two to do this as I like to check over all the applications personally. Since we received a large amount of applications, they will be forwarded to the intended parents in small batches in the order they arrived. As I hear back from the intended parents regarding each application my assistants or I will contact each applicant individually, generally through email. We will keep you updated here as to how the search is progressing.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Last Minute Questions?

2009-05-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

I know many applicants are trying to finish up their paperwork by our deadline tomorrow. Although our office is officially closed over the weekend, we are still checking our email a few times a day today and tomorrow. Please go ahead and email us if you have any questions or concerns and we will get back to you ASAP.

Remember, the application is the first impression the intended parents have of a donor, so be as thorough as you can! =)

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

Money Money Money . . . Money!

2009-05-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

I love that theme song from the Apprentice, I think it is called "The Love of Money" by the O'Jays. It's amazing how everyone has an opinion with regard to what other people do with their money. I received an email today telling me what a horrible person I am for running a search offering $100,000 for an egg donor. This is normal. And while I understand that there are some valid concerns regarding compensation amounts given to egg donors (another meaty topic to cover later), I do not set the compensation amount, my clients do. I have even been known to try and talk some clients out of offering such large sums of money. But, the fact of the matter is that I am dealing with a section of society that is well off and they want to compensate their donors well for the precious gift they are giving them. Previously our ads looking for donors stated that the compensation could be paid directly to the donor OR to the charity of her choice. Would people feel better if we still said that? Perhaps people would rather see $100,000 spent on a child's birthday party or a Sweet 16? The fact of the matter is, I represent intended parents who are able to compensate a woman $100,000 for her time and effort in donating her eggs, and I will support them in doing that, there are a lot more frivolous things people could be spending their money on.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!

The Waiting Game

2009-05-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first post on our EliteDonors.com blog! If you are not familiar with our agency, please visit our website at http://www.elitedonors.com/ and you will see what we do. Eventually we hope to feature one of our donors or clients on here, but as one of the foundations of our service is privacy, we will have to see if that is feasible. In the meantime, there is a ton to talk about, and we'll start with what I find one of the most frustrating aspects of the process for our applicants . . .

Playing the waiting game!

Unlike most egg donor agencies, we do not maintain a large database of potential donors for clients to search through. Instead, clients work hand in hand with us creating their own personalized search (we will cover this more in-depth in a later post). Therefore, from the time a potential donor applies to the time she hears back regarding our clients’ interest can be quite extensive.

First of all, we contact all applicants of every search to let them know if the clients are interested or not. This in itself can be quite a large task as with the current state of the economy some searches have resulted in over 650 applications! If you haven't heard back from us yet, you can't assume it is because our clients are not interested. We always encourage applicants to check back with us if they want an update but no matter how long it takes our clients to decide, we will attempt to contact each and every applicant.

One thing many applicants don't realize is that not hearing back from us quickly is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, most intended parents go through the applications and weed out the applicants they don't feel fit their criteria first. So often a quickly reply is not what you want anyway.

Another area of confusion for potential donors arises after we have requested supplemental information (such as family photos) from them. While many applicants think this means they are midway through the process, in fact, they are still near the beginning. Most intended parents will ask for extra information from about 5% of the applicants and almost all intended parents will wait until they have received supplemental information from all the candidates they are interested in before making any further decisions. So, even if you return your photos in a timely fashion, another applicant may take a month to gather hers and no decisions will be made during that time. How unfair you may say. Why don't the intended parents just eliminate the slower applicants? They must not be very interested to take such a long time! Our clients do not see it this way. What that see are applicants with full busy lives who might not have family photos readily available to them. They see applicants who are in the middle of midterms or finals, applicants who are traveling abroad, applicants who are in the midst of important projects at work, and they are willing to wait for these applicants. Of course, at some point the intended parents will stop waiting, but most try to be as accommodating as possible.

So, if you are still waiting to hear back on a search, don’t give up! We are currently wrapping up one search and have two prior searches that the clients are still trying to make decisions on. We will also have a new search starting shortly.

Elite Donors
Creating Happy Families . . . One Match at a Time!