Donor Sibling Registry

Christine

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Donor Sibling Registry public website (http://www.donorsiblingregistry.com). I was thinking I'd like to join so I can be in contact with a person on there who has had a baby by the same donor last year. It's $50/year membership - is it worth it?

Also, because it's a public website, I imagine there's always the possibility that the donor himself could register - for me this is quite an exciting possibility, to be able to personally thank him for helping me. As well, I like the idea that he might be interested in the child/children (before they turn 18 that is!) Of course, I understand that folks who use this more private forum might be reluctant to have that sort of contact, and I'd respect that (insofar as I wouldn't personally share anyone else's contact info etc).

Thoughts?

kalikat

I'm a little curious myself...infact for all the reasons you have mentioned!
It will be interesting to see if you receive any feed back regarding this. I was thinking of possibly checking this website out too!

sas1979

I did pay for it one year but never renewed. Not sure it's worth $50/year

vkent

I paid for the lifetime membership to the Donor Sibling Registry - from that I have made several contacts with other parents that used the same donor as I did. We have even formed a facebook group where we share info., pictures and more. In February, my son and I are meeting one of his half sisters. I definitely recommend the Registry.

hoppingpenguin

Personally, I think that this (free) registry is better since everyone is screened to ensure they have actually used the donor. Other sites might not have that kind of check in place.
On the other hand, I don't think donors are allowed to join this one...

MNMama

I was a member a few years ago and heard from a couple of families who conceived using the same donor. It was cool to exchange photos and see resemblances in the kids.

mamablessing

I have been a member on and off of Donor Sibling Registry since 2006 because the annual membership expired. Once they offered a lifetime membership, that was the only way to go with a donor child since you don't know when you'll be contacted. They are pretty much the only on-line registry, so they have a bit of a monopoly. It is true that you cannot confirm that they are indeed associated with that donor number, but I nor friends have run into any deceit. We have met all 3 of my older daughter 1/2 sibs that are registered and are still awaiting a match for my younger daughter. It is a great way to connect for medical, growth, resemblance in looks and/or personalities, etc. I am excited to register both girls through CLI now, also!

lana

Great success with the DSR. I renew the membership every couple of years, but since there are 10 other families involved, at least one of us will have a membership at any given time so that when a new family joins there is someone to contact. We have met all but one of the families so far, and the ages of the children range from 18 down to 2, so we have a really good time when we get together in the summertime. The kids are connected through facebook (so are the moms), and we have established our own unique extended family.
The DSR has also changed my point of view on donor conception to an extent. I'm regretting using an anonymous donor after reading some of the more recent research and would absolutely choose differently if presented with the choice again. The DSR is a very informative site, not only for searching for sibs, but in keeping up with the current news on the topic.
It's nice to see CLI joining the trend on helping families make connections. I truly believe the kids are better off by knowing their sibs and the sibs' families.

Lana

ForMyKid

I too have been a member of the DSR, although not at the present time. We've made contact with 3 of the 4 families registered, my dd has spoken with 2 of her half-sibs, and the mother of a 3rd, and we spent a week with one of the boys several years ago. Totally a positive experience with the DSR and the families. Wendy and her son Ryan have made it possible for many, many meetings. One of my concerns with this board is the possibility that our donor might/might not have also been available thru Fairfax with a different donor number, therefore making sibling connections a bit more difficult.

CLI Moderator

CLI and Fairfax Cryobank are affiliated sperm banks, but each bank has a separate catalog of donors. There is no cross over in donors, and CLI donors are not on the Fairfax Cryobank site under a different donor number.
Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

pequele

I have a lifetime membership on the DSR but there are no other posts on my donor there...some day maybe. But just today I received a msg from a family created thanks to our donor on this site!

maria_cc79

That's really wonderful! I am in contact with 2 other women that are Moms thanks to our donor. However, I met them on a Yahoo group created by another woman who is currently trying to conceive with our donor. I really need to register on the DSR also. How much does a lifetime membership cost?

pequele

when I did it, it was $150. I had paid 1 yr for $50, then let it lapse just a few months before I decided it was worth 3 yrs of cost (well ok now 4!) to be connected without having to worry about missing something. I think if there is someone who posts and you want to contact them, you can only do so if you have an active account, but don't quote me on that.

I had tried searching yahoo as well (another friend also had success) but I got nothing. Can I ask how you searched on there? I mean it really could be ANYTHING that would link couldn't it?

callum

I keep checking every year or two w/ them, hoping to see someone else post who has or is an offspring of my CLI 1133 gentleman. Perhaps if I sprang 1st with the info & dues I'd hear from someone. Perhaps on my daughter's 18th I will. Wish the annual cost wasn't so high. Now that I've discovered & adventured into CLI's own free forums I'm hopeful. So appreciative of them to offer this genuine, generous service. Best wishes to all our modern families & (to quote a wonderful friend I met in my during our trial), our popcicle kids.