 A childless couple are hoping someone can help give them the ultimate Christmas gift.
Amanda Kerr, of Birkdale, was diagnosed with early menopause shortly after her engagement 11 years ago.
For the past 10 years she and her husband have been waiting in hope for an egg donor.
“We have had two attempts but unfortunately they were unsuccessful,” Amanda, 40, told Champnews.com.
“There is a chronic shortage of donors, so we thought an appeal might encourage someone to come forward. It is something that's a completely selfless act of kindness. There is no reason why anyone should do it, except to help someone else.”
A woman wanting to donate an egg ideally should be aged 21-35 and have children of their own.
Donors need to be matched with the blood type of the recipient, as well as with characteristics, such as eye and hair colour.
Donors remain completely anonymous, but since a change in law in 2005, meaning the child when they reach 18 has a right to know the donor's name if they wish, there has been a huge drop in the number of donors.
“There are around 100 people currently on the waiting list,” egg donation co-ordinator at Liverpool Women's Hospital, Maureen Richards said.
“We have had difficulty finding donors since 2005 when the anonymity was removed.
“If anyone is interested they can contact me and we can have a chat on the phone and I can send some written information.”
Laws were changed so that a child could trace their biological mother in case there was a genetic illness. But this is unlikely because screening takes place before an egg is donated.
“This is something we have been living with for 10 years, but we don't let it rule our life,” Amanda said. “You need a lot of patience.”
If you would like to help, or get more information, contact Maureen on 0151 7024212, quoting reference 370R.
By Natasha Robson |
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