Fertility Blog

When Darren and Marty set out to become dads, they were hoping for a miracle. What they got was a surrogacy journey full of generosity and love: a sister who offered to donate her eggs, a friend who stepped up to be their surrogate, and an ending no one expected.

After years of failed IVF cycles and heartbreaking miscarriages, Lisa and her husband made the difficult decision to pursue donor egg IVF. In this story, she shares what the process was really like, from finding a donor to navigating the emotional complexity of donor conception.

All too often, Black women experiencing infertility who need the help of an egg or sperm donor soon face another barrier to building their family - a lack of diversity in available donors. A three-time egg donor shares her experience in the hopes that it encourages other women of color to consider donating too.

At a glance → Egg donors at Illume must be 21–32, have a BMI between 19–29, and live within 90 minutes of Norwalk, CT → From matching to egg retrieval, the full egg donation process usually takes about 6–11 weeks → Screening takes about 4–8 weeks and includes medical exams, genetic testing, infectious disease testing, and a psychological evaluation → The donation cycle itself takes about 2–3 weeks and includes 5–8 monitoring appointments at our Connecticut clinic → Donors receive $15,000 per completed donation cycle, with compensation provided after egg retrieval Becoming an egg donor is a meaningful decision that can help another person or couple build the family they’ve been hoping for. This guide from Illume's donor team explains what to know before you apply, including details about eligibility, screening, and the donation process.

From a long-distance relationship to building their family across continents, Alo and Javi’s journey shows the power of resilience and connection. Their story highlights both the challenges of international surrogacy and the joy of finally welcoming your first baby.

Last updated April 22, 2026 Using an egg donor to grow your family is a deeply personal decision—and a significant financial investment. The total amount you pay can vary widely, depending on whether you opt for a fresh or frozen egg donor cycle, work with an agency, and other factors.

Considering using an egg or sperm donor to help build your family? Here's what you should know about the various types of donor arrangements, the pros and cons of directed (known) versus nonidentified (anonymous) donors, and the legal implications of your decision.

Considering egg donation as a method of building your family? Wondering how the process actually works? In this story, Rebecca shares why she and her husband chose to pursue egg donor IVF, the challenges they encountered, and how it led them to parenthood.