Easter Dozen Appeal with world's first interactive poster
Just 12 women donating eggs could reduce waiting times by years
11th April 2006 Press release: Bourn Hall – the world's first 'test tube' baby clinic - is using the world's first interactive poster to publicise its Easter Dozen appeal for egg donors.
The giant interactive touch screen, from Visual Planet, will be fixed to the window of Cineworld Cambridge, it will feature a bouncing Easter egg game to attract young children, in the hope that young mothers who have completed their families will be inspired to donate real eggs.
The clinic is concerned by the drop in donations as Dr Thomas Mathews, Head of Medical Function of the Assisted Conception Unit: explains "We have seen a 50% fall in egg donors. Last year we only had 26 donations compared to 42 the year before, we have 90 plus couples on our list and at current rates we can only see waiting times increasing."
Bourn Hall Clinic has a waiting list of 90 plus couples, some of whom have been waiting over 2 years for the chance of a baby. The numbers of women donating eggs has fallen drastically over the last year, possibly as a reaction to the HFEA's changed policy in the area of Sperm, Egg and Embryo Donation (SEED) which came into force on 1st April 2005.
The interactive poster is unique - for the first time it is possible to create a temporary interactive surface on an ordinary window. Offering the possibility for properties with high street frontage to 'rent' their windows for promotional campaigns, create virtual shops or provide customised public information.
For Bourn Hall it provides an opportunity to use this prime location for a promotional event for maximum impact within a tight budget.
Gillian Bellars, egg donation coordinator hopes that an appeal at Easter – a time of new beginnings - will encourage more women to consider how they could help these childless couples: "We get to know these couples well, one husband called me around the 22nd of each month, every month for 2 years before I could give him the good news." She said.
"One woman donating her eggs can help up to two couples, depending on the number of eggs produced. Some couples may receive enough eggs to have a fresh embryo transfer, with spare embryos to freeze for future treatment if required.
To donate you need to be healthy and aged from 18 to 35. The eggs are donated anonymously and unlike adoption the recipient becomes the 'birth mother'. Donors can be told, on request, if a birth has resulted from their donation. Full information about all aspects of donating eggs is given and Gillian talks it all through with the potential donor before that person needs to make a decision. The clinic is able to provide an allowance for expenses.
Ideally egg donors will have completed their families or decided not to have children, but as Gillian explains, all kinds of people come forward: "Often it is because they know of a friend or relative who can't conceive, and want to do something to help them. In these cases the eggs can be donated anonymously to other couples on the list, which would move their friend/relative to the top of the list."
Gillian is hopeful that the appeal will encourage more women to come forward: "Finding just 12 women prepared to give their eggs this Easter will be wonderful news. It will make a real difference to the lives of dozens of couples and their families."
