Funding Dreams : How High-Achieving Young Women Have Used Egg Donation Funds
Whether it’s for school tuition or seed money for a business, egg donation can open doors for young women looking to meet goals that require financial support.
High-achieving young women tend to have big dreams, but for many, those hopes come with a hefty price tag. Women who decide to donate their eggs have a variety of reasons for donating that may range from personal and altruistic to financial. Whatever their motivations in deciding to donate, egg donors receive compensation for their time, effort, and any potential discomfort associated with the egg donation process. The exact process and compensation can vary depending on the egg donation agency a woman chooses. But how do women use the compensation they receive from egg donation? Let’s explore some of the ways donors use egg donation funds to make their dreams a reality.
Financial Obligations
Just like any other form of income, the compensation from egg donation can be used to meet various financial goals. If a donor has existing debts, such as student loans, they might choose to allocate funds towards paying off these debts. For one woman who shared her story with Fast Company, this meant having the funds to help dig herself out of college debt and help pay for her wedding. Women who choose to donate may also want help managing other financial obligations including paying bills, rent or mortgage, saving for education or retirement, or covering daily expenses. Donors might opt to use the money for medical expenses, whether it’s covering their own healthcare costs or assisting with costs related to a family member’s medical needs.
Education Expenses
Seeking to pay for education expenses is another common reason women may choose to donate eggs. One woman tells her story of using egg donation as a way to fund her dream of attending flight school so she could become a pilot. Many women use the compensation to pay for tuition, buy textbooks, or attend workshops and seminars. Even mainstream news outlets have shared stories about women seeking to fund their education through egg donation. One of TLC’s own egg donors put herself through law school using her compensation from donation cycles. And the enticement to fund college expenses is heightened for Ivy League egg donors who face much steeper tuition rates and expenses.
Travel and Leisure
The compensation could be used to fund travel or leisure activities, allowing donors to explore new places, engage in hobbies, or simply enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Randi, a travel blogger and enthusiast, shared her experience with egg donation in an article in Marie Claire Brazil, and said this of her decision to donate her eggs to fund her dreams of travel, “…Occasionally I reflect on the sweet symmetry of how helping to bring a new life into this world has given me the ability to create a new life for myself.”
Starting a Business or Buying a Home
For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, the compensation can serve as seed money to start a business or fund a creative project. Some donors may choose to save or invest the compensation as a way to build a financial safety net or work towards future financial goals like buying a home. Creating or bolstering an emergency fund can provide financial security and peace of mind in case unexpected expenses arise.
TLC’s Donor Experiences
TLC has seen many young women use these funds to improve their life, work toward long-term goals or realize personal dreams. Here are a few examples of women who have donated through TLC and how they have used funds from egg donation:
One young woman put herself through law school using her compensation from donation cycles.
Another young woman paid off her student loans from medical school which allowed her to use her salary to live a more comfortable life.
One young woman chose to take 6 months off following graduation and travel all over Europe and Asia.
One young woman sponsored a grant to a charity she felt strongly about, which she shared she would not have been able to do herself.
Another young woman was able to use funds to not only start her own business, but also put a down payment on her own home.
Regardless of how a high-achieving egg donor may choose to use her compensation as an investment in her future, for many the opportunity to donate is about more than just the money. Many egg donors feel satisfaction in knowing that they are helping someone else become a parent. And being able to work toward their goals and dreams while helping someone else do the same is the ultimate win-win.
