Donating Eggs for Research
The Bedford Research Foundation egg donation program is designed to support critical studies in regenerative medicine and human development.
UPDATE: Because of current capacity, our program can currently only accept previously collected unfertilized eggs. We do not perform egg collections, and we also cannot accept fertilized embryos at this time.
We are deeply grateful to the many people who have offered to donate fertilized embryos—your compassion and trust mean a great deal to us. We will update this page when we are able to accept them.
If you are interested in donating unfertilized eggs, please start by filling out the form below.
Get Started
Fill out your name and preferred contact. We will be in touch within 1 to 2 business days.
25 Years of Pioneering Egg Donation
BRF’s Egg Donor program made history as the world’s first initiative to recruit women specifically for providing eggs for stem cell research in 2001. This groundbreaking approach has paved the way for significant progress in the field. Today, our focus has shifted to accepting unfertilized eggs that have already been collected and are no longer needed for fertility treatments. Read about the history.
Ethical Oversight
BRF is committed to transparent, ethical research practices. The independent ethics advisory board, chaired by Arthur Isak Applbaum, PhD, has reviewed and approved all protocols for accepting donated eggs.
Eligibility
We accept previously collected eggs, we do not perform collections. We welcome participation from patients of all backgrounds:
Advancing Stem Cell Research
By donating your previously collected eggs, you’re contributing to:
“At present, the use of human embryonic stem cells also depends on the availability of human eggs… These cells are very special because they’re pluripotent—able to differentiate into almost every cell type in the body. They can provide a supply of cells for research into human development, into correcting or treating degenerative diseases.”
– Dr. Anne McLaren
British Developmental biologist and pioneer in mammalian embryology
Steps to Donation
1.
Contact Us.
If you’re interested in donating your eggs for research, please fill out the form above or email us at: lab@bedfordresearch.org .
2.
A call with our team.
Our team will respond within 1-2 business days. We understand the significance of your decision and we will contact you to provide comprehensive information and support throughout the process.
3.
Contact your IVF clinic or cryobank.
Inform the clinic that you wish to donate your frozen eggs to BRF. Ask what paperwork they require to authorize the transfer to a research institution. Our staff is available to talk directly to the clinic to answer any questions.
4.
Complete authorization forms.
Fill out and sign any consent or release documents from both the clinic and BRF (e.g., transfer of custody, release of biological material for research).
5.
Transfer and Confirmation.
BRF staff will work with your clinic to coordinate the shipment. There will be no cost to you for shipping your eggs. Once the shipment has been successfully completed, we will contact you with a confirmation.
Confidentiality
Donor confidentiality is strictly maintained. BRF has over thirty years of experience running programs that require strict confidentiality of patient data. Our facilities are HIPAA compliant, and we will work with you to communicate with the facility currently storing your eggs.
Thank you for considering a donation
By participating in this program, you’re playing a crucial role in accelerating stem cell research under strict ethical guidelines. Your contribution could lead to transformative discoveries that benefit countless lives in the future.