Fairfax Cryobank Timeline
1984
It Starts with Genetics & IVF Institute
Founded by Dr. Joseph D. Schulman in 1984 in Fairfax, Virginia, Genetics & IVF Institute is the first clinical and laboratory facility designed from inception to provide fully integrated, comprehensive outpatient services in the areas of human genetics and infertility. In addition to having one of the largest programs in the USA in infertility including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in medical genetics and prenatal diagnosis, the Institute has developed one of the premier cryopreservation programs in the world.
In 1986, the Genetics & IVF Institute established a cryopreservation division with one of the world’s outstanding cryobiology teams led by Dr. Edward F. Fugger. The Institute has become a pioneering center in the application of cryobiology having produced the first frozen human embryo twins in the USA, established one of the largest human embryo cryopreservation and storage laboratories in the country, founded one of the largest human sperm banks in the world, and initiated the first human ovarian tissue cryopreservation program in the USA.
1986
Fairfax Cryobank is Born
In 1986, Genetics & IVF Institute founded Fairfax Cryobank with the goal of providing anonymous frozen donor semen with a higher standard than anything offered at the time. From the start, Fairfax Cryobank’s offered more thorough genetic and infectious screening and higher-quality sperm.
Physicians that visited the Institute and observed the results of the frozen donor specimens began to request the use of Fairfax Cryobank donor specimens in their own infertility practices. Although it was not the original intent to provide specimens outside the Institute, due to continued requests by physicians and patients Fairfax Cryobank now provides donor semen to physicians and university medical centers in all 50 states and many foreign countries. Upon request from patients, physicians, and numerous medical facilities, the Cryobank also began providing semen freezing and storage for patients desiring to have their specimens cryopreserved for future use.
Fairfax Cryobank’s Embryo Storage Program has been storing long term reproductive specimens since 1986. We have extensive expertise transporting samples to and from physician practices in all 50 states and many countries throughout the world. Our facilities are equipped with the latest technology. Embryos are stored in state-of-the-art liquid nitrogen tanks that are not dependent on electricity to keep your embryos frozen. These storage tanks are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2002
Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. Joins the Fairfax Family
Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc., the first commercial sperm bank developed in the United States, joined the Genetics & IVF Institute family of Cryobanks in 2002. This affiliation provides patients even more choices when considering donor sperm. CLI donors are available through the Fairfax Cryobank search.
2006
Fairfax EggBank Launches
In 2006, Fairfax Cryobank’s sibling company, Fairfax EggBank, was launched as part of the popular fresh donor egg program at Genetics & IVF Institute. As one of the largest and most experienced egg banks in the world, Fairfax EggBank now ships frozen donor eggs to over 350 IVF clinics across the United States and Canada.
2016
Pacific Reproductive Services Joins the Fairfax Family
Fairfax Cryobank welcomed Pacific Reproductive Services (PRS) into the Fairfax Cryobank family in 2015. PRS is a respected sperm bank and fertility clinic dating back to 1984. Lesbian-founded, PRS has a passion and focus on supporting all women’s family planning dreams, from single mothers by choice to LGBTQ+.
Today & Beyond
Today patients, physicians, and medical centers around the world use donor semen from Fairfax Cryobank because of their experience and confidence in the donor selection, screening, infectious and genetic disease testing, sperm quality standards and service of Fairfax Cryobank.