Professionals

INFORMATION FOR FERTILITY SPECIALISTS

Professionals

ANOTHER OPTION PROFESSIONALS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

There are an estimated 700,000 to 1, 300,000 embryos frozen in the U.S. About 20,000 are available for donation to another couple.

The goal of the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) is to give these embryos a chance at life and to give infertile couples a new name: parents.

The NEDC office and lab are located in Knoxville, TN. We are also the country’s only medically supervised, clinic-based non-profit embryo donation agency. The NEDC handles the medical, legal and social aspects of embryo donation. We work diligently to match donated embryos to couples across the country.

There is no cost to your patients to donate their remaining embryos. There is also no cost to your clinic. Plus, we offer a variety of placement options (open, semi-open or anonymous) for embryo donors.

Why send your donated embryos to the NEDC?

1The NEDC is a state-of-the-art medical facility and a life-honoring organization. Donated embryos are treated with respect and care, with the goal that each viable embryo will be transferred. Your patients can donate their embryos with confidence.
2It is more convenient for you. The embryo donation/adoption process can be complex and time-consuming unless you work with an organization that has extensive experience in this area. Most IVF staff are overworked and don't have the time or experience to do placements.
3Most clinics with an in-house embryo program have too few donated embryos and too long of a waiting list.
4The demand for donated embryos is rapidly growing. We serve as a centralized "clearinghouse" for both donating and receiving couples.
5NEDC offers open and anonymous embryo placements.
6NEDC decreases your storage problems and expenses by reducing your inventory of embryos. By encouraging your patients to donate, you will decrease the chance of abandoned embryos.
7Infertile couples will benefit. You are devoted to helping couples become parents and now you can assist families around the country to realize their dream by encouraging your IVF patients to donate their remaining embryos.

Benefits for the donating couple:

It relieves couples of the psychological burden of having frozen embryos with no dispensation plan.
It provides them the satisfaction of helping others.
There is assurance that the adopting couple has been well-screened for their ability to become successful parents.
If requested, the couple may receive reimbursement for some or all of their cryopreservation and storage fees.
There are never any fees for the donating family.

How do I refer patients or transport embryos?

Simply call us at 866-585-8549 and speak to our patient coordinator. We will supply the necessary consent forms to the patients, as well as arrange for infectious disease rescreening. At your request, we will also supply your office with consent forms to release you from liability for loss or damage during shipping. NEDC will pay for shipping fees using your delivery service or our own.

Consent Forms

Before your patients get started on their journey of embryo donation or adoption, there are some important forms they will need to fill out. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at 865-777-2013 or call toll free at 866-585-8549.

Personal Stories of Embryo Donation and Embryo Adoption

Sometimes your patients want more personal insight from those who have walked the road of embryo donation and embryo adoption. You’ll find those here.

Learn More

This material was made possible by grant #EAAPA131021-01-01 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statements expressed are those of the grantee organization and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department.