CLACKS people have been encouraged to become NHS egg and sperm donors in a first national campaign.

Launched by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, the campaign follows new research that reveals almost half of people in Scotland would consider donating to people who need help to conceive.

Demand for egg and sperm donations is high and they are needed for some of the one in six couples who experience fertility problems, as well as same sex couples.

Almost half of people in Scotland – 49 per cent – would consider donating their eggs or sperm to people who need help to conceive.

The research also showed that 27 per cent of those who would be willing to consider donating eggs or sperm feel they don’t know enough about it or wouldn’t know how to donate.

Maree Tood, minister for public health, women’s health and sport, said: “Hundreds of people in Scotland need the help of egg or sperm donors to give them the chance to become parents and the gift of starting a family.

“Donating your eggs or sperm is an important decision and this campaign aims to highlight the options available to people who have carefully considered doing so.

“Demand for egg and sperm donations through the NHS remains high – altruistic donations provide the potential to give the joy of starting a family to others.” 

This is the first national campaign by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland which aims to encourage people who are eligible to consider donation and how to do so.

Other motivators for those would consider donating their eggs and sperm including wanting to help others become parents and knowing friends or family who have had fertility issues.

Gwenda Burns, National Patient Charity Fertility Network UK chief executive, said: “Scotland currently leads the way in the UK offering the gold standard of up to three full NHS IVF cycles, including access for couples where one partner has no biological child.

“Raising awareness about the campaign is vital and whether you know someone who has had a personal struggle to conceive, or you just want to help others, becoming a sperm or egg donor for the NHS is an incredible act of generosity. 

“You could give the gift of life to those who would otherwise be unable to have children.”

Visit eggsandsperm.scot to find out more information about becoming a donor.