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Finding fertility resources can feel like information overload. Not only do you want to ensure you know what you’re getting into, but you want to choose the right cryobank. After all, a sperm bank is the hub where you’ll be finding the donor to create your future family. The family-building process is an exciting time and it’s important to select a trusted resource to support you on your journey. At Fairfax Cryobank, we’ve been pioneers in the fertility space since 1986. We’ve helped countless clients achieve their dreams with our rigorous donor screening process, outstanding customer service, and unparalleled standards.

1. We Are Leaders in Extensive Donor Screening

We have one of the most extensive screening processes in the country, staffed by full-time genetic counselors and a medical director who is a MD PhD clinical geneticist. While the FDA provides general guidelines for donor screening, our process is comprehensive and exceeds the recommended criteria. No sperm bank does more testing; we only accept 1 in 200 donor applicants. Donors who apply for our program are screened for the following:

• Our preliminary screening includes a semen quality test and eligibility questionnaire
• We conduct expanded panel genetic screening on potential donors, which can increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This test helps find donors who are healthy carriers for genetic conditions and allows those who use these donors to be tested themselves, thus preventing the birth of a child with a known genetic condition. Chromosome analysis also can reduce the risk of inherited conditions in donor offspring. It’s important to note that not all sperm banks offer this testing.  
• Our team provides several in-person interviews with potential donors to collect an extensive 3 generation family medical history.  
• We were the first sperm donor bank in the United States in the 1980s to screen for genetic carriers of cystic fibrosis, one of the most common inherited genetic conditions, in all donors. Keeping with our cutting-edge standard of testing, all our new donors are screened for over 500 genetic conditions today.
• For infectious disease detection in semen, we utilize the molecular genetic technique polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect infections such as HIV. PCR testing is more precise than other testing; it amplifies millions of copies of DNA segments to protect recipient safety.
• We quarantine donor sperm for six months. This is because if someone has been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), they may not test positive for months after exposure. This quarantine period reduces any potential risk of transmission to you or a baby. We also repeat infectious disease testing while donors are active.

2. Our Donor Search Process is Simple

We are firm believers that it’s our job to provide the easiest experience for those seeking donor sperm—the family-building process is stressful enough. It’s paramount that your search is straightforward. Quality assurance is the first part, as shown by our extensive donor screening process. The second part is the actual experience of exploring your donor options, using our advanced services, and placing your order.

We aim to simplify your search through a user-friendly experience, from viewing different donor profiles to selecting the right vials and placing your order online or via phone with our helpful Client Services team. Our exclusive Fairfax FaceMatch® technology is another selection service option that allows you to upload a photo of your partner, friend, celebrity, or family member. In just 60 seconds, the technology generates available sperm donor recommendations based on similarities of facial structures and appearances.

Our donor search tool is user-friendly, so you can plug in the criteria you’re seeking and see results. Our easy-to-use search includes all the filters you might want when selecting. Donors can be searched by hair color, eye color, height, education, ancestry, adult photos available, proven pregnancies and more.

We also carefully monitor success and pregnancies and remove donors from our search program once family birth limits have been met, so you never have confusion about availability.

3. We Are LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Affirming

We are proud to help those in the LGBTQ+ community build their families. Our extensive history has celebrated diverse families regardless of marital status and inclusive of varying sexual and gender orientations. This doesn’t just show up as a rainbow flag on our website. It means that our clinicians are experts at counseling on the unique needs of LGBTQ+ family planning.

We serve the trans community by supporting their family-building goals. We offer fertility preservation before trans individuals begin gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), which can impact fertility down the line. We also provide fertility preservation before gender-affirming surgery.

It’s most helpful to preserve fertility before beginning gender-affirming hormone therapy, if possible. However, if you’ve recently started hormones and didn’t receive proper counseling on your options, preservation may still be effective. We can assess the quality of semen to determine if it’s viable for freezing.

4. We Offer Vial Buy Back and Vial Buy & Store Programs to Meet Changing Needs

Donor availability can change over time. You may have had a baby from using a donor, and you know you want a second. It makes sense to try and ensure that the same donor will be available in the future. In this case, many choose to buy a vial ahead of time while a donor is still available. With our Vial Buy & Store program, you can secure donor sperm before you need it and store it safely with us.

Unlike other cryobanks, we also have a Vial Buy Back program, where we accept unused specimens stored with us for half the price they were bought. We aim to always accommodate family-building wishes, so if you’d like to exchange a vial for another sperm donor, we are happy to provide this, with one vial exchange per year.

5. We Provide Quality & Support You Can Count On

If you are looking to expand your family using donor sperm, your first step is choosing a sperm bank that you trust. Our commitment to our clients and their family-building plans has motivated us to provide leading fertility resources for decades. We have a staff of sensitive and caring representatives dedicated to helping meet your needs. From expanded client services hours 6 days a week, to high quality standards for our donors, and an easy to use donor search, we support you every step of the way.