When San Diego Sperm Bank (SDSB) asked me to write about my experience being a donor, I agreed because it has been a great experience for me. I get to help people start families while earning money getting free healthcare. This is what it’s like…
What It Is Like To Be A Sperm Donor
Becoming a donor takes more than a day, so don’t expect to make money on your first visit. However, if you do qualify and become a donor, it’s a good way to earn consistent money doing something you can feel good about—helping other people!
The process starts by filling out a quick online donor application that takes about 10 minutes and asks for basic personal information. After applying, you’ll visit the clinic to provide a sample. The specimen is tested by lab analysts and the clinic will notify you of the results. This sample is used for analysis only and is discarded, so you won’t be paid for this visit.
If your specimen meets the quality standard and you are approved, you’ll also have an in-depth interview with a Donor Coordinator who will ask about your lifestyle, education, family background, your personal goals, and your reasons for wanting to become a donor. The Donor Coordinator will answer your questions and let you know what to expect when you join the program. This part of the process is very thorough, and I learned that it helps SDSB find donors who are healthy and are the best fit for the program and recipient families.
If you are approved to join, you’ll schedule an appointment for a free physical exam with a licensed medical provider that will involve giving blood and urine samples for health screening. This screening includes genetic testing for more than 170 conditions! While genetic testing is done to eliminate risks for recipient families, I have found the information to be helpful for me, too.
On the day of your physical exam, you will become eligible to make your first paid donation. You will get a total of $70 per accepted donation, $50 is paid at the time of the visit, and another $20 when the specimen is approved—which is more than 90% of the time. You can donate up to three times a week, so you can earn a lot of money fast if you visit regularly.
You can earn even more money with SDSB’s referral program. I get paid $200 each time a donor I refer joins the program and another $300 when his first specimens are approved. Since becoming a donor, I have been encouraging many of my friends to apply, too.
I hope this is helpful for anyone who is considering becoming a donor and is eligible to apply (you must be between 18 and 39). If you have any questions, staff will answer them for you directly over email at [email protected] or by phone at (858)732-8500.
