Shedding Light on Gamete Donation and Advocating for Comprehensive Regulations and Inclusive Fertility Care.
4 November 2024 marked the beginning of European Fertility Week (EFW) 2024, an annual campaign championed by Fertility Europe, dedicated this year to the theme of gamete donation in fertility treatment. Running from November 4 to 10, this year’s EFW will raise awareness of the complexities of gamete donation and highlight the critical needs.
Gamete donation plays a crucial role for many individuals and couples experiencing involuntary childlessness, offering hope for expanding families in circumstances that might otherwise make parenthood impossible. Yet, throughout Europe, vast differences in regulations of gamete donation contribute to significant inequities in access to treatments. This year’s EFW aims to address these disparities. We are calling for action to ensure that fertility care, including gamete donation, is available and ethical for all those who need it and that there are supportive policies and accessible, inclusive fertility care across Europe.
Bridging the Gap in Access and Awareness
“Gamete or embryo donation is often essential for people affected by various fertility issues, but it is also an area marked by regulatory inconsistencies and man-made access barriers,” said Klaudija Kordic, Chair of Fertility Europe. “Everyone involved – from recipients to donors and donor-conceived children – deserves respectful, accessible, and stigma-free care. We advocate for regulations ensuring that donor-conceived children can learn about their genetic origins in a safe, supportive way, while donors are protected in a secure environment. Reproductive rights are human rights, and we are committed to raising awareness on this vital issue.”
Throughout the week, Fertility Europe and its member associations will run various online and offline activities to engage the public and policymakers. Highlights include personal testimonies from patients, donor-conceived individuals and gamete donors, discussions on psychological support and implication counselling in fertility care, and an expert webinar titled “Navigating My Choices in Gamete Donation,” featuring leading voices in the field, from patients to reproductive health experts and presenting the outcome of the Patient Survey on Gamete Donation. The survey was conducted from July to October 2024 and collected over 1500 responses. (REGISTER HERE)
A Growing Movement for Fertility Rights
European Fertility Week has grown in both reach and impact since its inception in 2016, and it remains the only pan-European campaign dedicated to raising awareness on fertility issues. Fertility Europe has worked diligently to provide its members with campaign materials to support national-level activities and advocacy. Each year, EFW expands its focus to cover a range of issues that impact individuals and families across Europe, helping to pave the way for a fairer, more inclusive future in fertility care. Learn more about this year’s campaign HERE.
Join the Conversation
To participate in European Fertility Week 2024 or learn more about gamete donation and other fertility issues, visit Fertility Europe’s website and follow our social media channels. Help us raise awareness, foster empathy, and push for positive change in fertility care across Europe. For more information, visit www.fertilityeurope.eu or email office@fertilityeurope.eu
About Fertility Europe
Fertility Europe is an umbrella organisation of 33 patient associations from across Europe, united in the mission to advocate for accessible, comprehensive fertility care. Our work centres on ensuring everyone has the right to build a family, regardless of their background or personal circumstances.
