Oct 13, 2008 6:00 pm US/Eastern
Egg Donations Up In Weak Economy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Egg donations were once reserved for college students looking to make a quick buck, but now more women are selling their eggs, says CBS 3 medical reporter Stephanie Stahl.
Christy Bush is struggling to make ends meet. Money is tight between paying for nursing school and raising her two children, so she donates her eggs. So far, she's earned nearly $30,000.
"It makes it so I'm not working 40 hours a week," said Bush. "It's given me hope that I can actually do the parenting and do the schooling, and still be home and be doing great things and actually watching my kids be raised."
Christy has donated four times so far and plans to do it again. Women can earn $7,000 per donation.
"It's a lot of money," said Nancy Block of the Center for Egg Options. "It's great for school, it's great for the mortgage, it's great to help their families out, and it's something they feel good about."
Centers are seeing a 40 percent increase in egg donation, but it's not an easy way to make a quick buck. It's a time-consuming medical procedure with risks.
Donors will spend weeks taking fertility drugs. Medications can cause hot flashes, headaches and vision problems. Donors must also have frequent blood tests and ultrasounds, and it takes several days to recover after the eggs are harvested.
It was a donated egg that gave Karen and Mark the son they couldn't have on their own.
"I'm so happy he's here, and if it weren't for the donors, this could not have happened for us," said Karen.
The ideal age for an egg donor is between 21 and 29, but there are limitations and complications sometimes. There are several centers in our area.
RELATED LINK:
Egg Donation Sites in Philadelphia
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