Dedicated egg sharing, egg donor, and sperm donor programmes at The Bridge Centre

Recipient Programmes

The Bridge Egg Recipient programmes provide a linked series of opportunities for women who need donor eggs.

The programmes work to a single objective - to find the right donor for each recipient as quickly as possible.

Time is the greatest enemy for most Recipients. We understand this and work with each individual to find the best solution, providing an escalating range of options which address the need for donors in a variety of practical ways.

Option One: The Recipient Programme

You join the Bridge Recipient Programme as a potential recipient. This involves an initial consultation, the required implication counselling, assessment of medical records and, if necessary, some tests (go to Information for Recipients below for details).

We will then advise you of the donor position and the maximum likely waiting period.

The fee to enter the programme is £250. (This excludes the consultation fee and your initial medical assessment prior to any tests being carried out.)

For full information go to www.bridge-eggrecipient.com

Option Two: Active Donor Recruitment

Many of our Recipients take positive action themselves to overcome the shortage of donors and the associated waiting time.

There are two approaches: -

1. Recruitment of a Known Donor

You may have a relative or friend who is prepared to donate eggs on your behalf. You have the option to use these known donor eggs - alternatively, your donor donates anonymously and you are allocated the very next suitable donor.

2. Recruitment of an Anonymous Donor

At registration (or at the later date if you so choose), you will be placed on our waiting list (which is currently 1 yrs approx.) However, you may wish to speed up the process by taking some steps yourself. This is a more expensive option which has achieved results for a number of our patients. We will help you all the way with advice, advertising or anything else you may need to speed up the process.

Ask for a copy of our Donor Recruitment Pack which tells you all about the support we give you if you choose to take your own donor recruitment initiative.

Option Three: Treatment Abroad

There is one certain way to ensure that you get the treatment you require, exactly when you require it.

The Bridge Centre has now completed a careful evaluation of European clinics where donors are available and the medical facilities and care standards meet the high standards we have set.

Joining the Bridge Overseas Recipient Programme means that you can choose the exact time of treatment and, with advice from our specialists, the treatment centre best suited to your needs. You may even be living abroad at the time of the treatment and this option might then suit you better from the outset.

One of the approaches defined above will be the right solution for you. We would like you to keep an open mind about which option to choose until you are registered with our Recipient Programme, have undergone evaluation, attended the initial implication counselling session and had a full and frank discussion with our Programme Managers.

In this way, we can be sure that everything that needs to be done is done in the right way and for the right reasons.

For full information go to:-

Bridge International Egg Donation Programme

Bridge International Egg Sharing Programme

What about cost?

You need to budget between £6,500 - £7,500 for a Recipient treatment cycle in the UK from the moment you come to your first appointment to the post transfer consultation and continuing support when you need it. Overseas treatment is more expensive, even before travel costs, but has advantages due to the availability of donor eggs.

At Bridge we don't have "hidden" costs and will always give you a true estimate of your treatment costs. The cost may be reduced if you opt to go for one of our egg sharing programmes. This will be discussed with you at the first appointment.

Additional costs will be incurred if you elect to participate in Donor Recruitment in the UK and the costs of travel, subsistence and accommodation are extra if you go overseas.

In some cases, your partner may require specialist treatment if male factor issues are also involved - this we will establish at your initial consultation.

There are many ways of meeting the costs of treatment and, if you need advice, just ask.

There is hope.

Our message to every woman needing donor eggs is simple.

We are committed to finding the best solution - and solutions can be found.

Our programme addresses not only the key issue of egg donation but also the morale and well-being of our patients, recognising that delay and uncertainty is undesirable.

The Bridge Recipient Programmes address these issues in a positive and constructive way - for further information call 020 7089 1455 or email eggdonation@thebridgecentre.co.uk .