Membership
*a little wish* is a wonderful growing community and many feel it is like 'coming home' when they have been away from the internet.
*a little wish*s message board is FREE to join, and we offer support in many different ways there.
Information on this page ...
Egg / Sperm Donation
Surrogacy
Membership Fees
If you do decide that you wish to take the path of a surrogacy journey or need the help of an egg or sperm donor, membership of *a little wish* gives you a chance to meet those that can help you, and support within a secure and comforting environment for your journey.
You will have a personal discussion with a senior or longstanding member of *a little wish*s group with plenty of experience within the world of infertility to ensure that this is the right path for you. There is additional support on *a little wish* message board and via the telephone when needed. You can be assured that those whom you work with have had all the background checks needed to help reduce hiccups on your journey.
Egg / Sperm Donation
Recipient - Due to a change in the law recently, the number of people donating eggs/sperm to clinics has dramatically reduced. By joining *a little wish* it is another chance for you to find a donor.
Donor - Some donors do not like the idea of donating anonymously, they prefer the idea of choosing who they would like to help, for many reasons. Many also like to know if they have been successful and also for all parties to know each other if any medical queries happen in the future.
*a little wish* can help parties to find each other and help with their journeys.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is legal in the UK, this is NOT the case in every country.
If you live in the UK, the 'easiest' way to complete your journey is with those that are resident in the UK.
If you are planning to have part of your journey outside the UK, we are happy to support you, and you are able to join *a little wish*, however we will insist that you have the appropriate legal information.
Surrogacy is not a new concept, in fact the earliest record of surrogacy is in the bible. Surrogacy has been happening in the UK for many years, but public awareness has steadily increased since 1985 when it started to hit the headlines. Since then surrogacy has become much more open and frequent and it is estimated that there are approximately 50 surrogate births in the UK each year. It is not a legal requirement to join a group or organisation such as *a little wish*, however it does offer additional support and an easier way for Surrogate Mothers and Intended Parents to find each other. This is because it is illegal in the UK to advertise for a surrogate or intended parents.
There are many different types and causes of infertility and in fact approximately 15% of couples experience infertility and many others suffer sub fertility.
There are however only two different types of surrogacy;
Straight Surrogacy (aka Traditional Surrogacy)
- This is where the surrogate uses her own egg and inseminates herself with the intended fathers’ sperm. (This is usually undertaken at the home of the surrogate or intended parents, however a clinic can also be used to complete the process).
- The baby is genetically the surrogate mothers and the intended fathers.
- The surrogate (as the birth mother) has legal rights and responsibilities until she relinquishes them via a court process and the court transfers rights to the Intended Mother and Intended Father
Host Surrogacy (aka Gestational Surrogacy)
- This is where the Intended Parents have undergone IVF and have created and, possibly, stored their embryos.
- The embryo is transferred into the uterus of the Surrogate Mother. This procedure requires the use of a clinic.
- The baby is genetically the intended mothers and the intended fathers.
- The surrogate (as the birth mother) has legal rights and responsibilities until she relinquishes them via a court process and the court transfers rights to the Intended Mother and Intended Father
Membership Fees
We are an entirely voluntary organisation, run not for profit. Our only revenue comes from donations, fundraising and membership fees.
We are trying our best to keep fees as low as possible. We ask all those that are part of our community to assist with fund raising, as much as each person can, some of which is at no cost to yourself.
If you decide that you would like to join a group, *a little wish* offers you that opportunity. We DO NOT match Intended Parents and Surrogates/Gamete donors or 'hint' at certain matches, we offer a place for you to meet each other and support though your journey.
There are some WONDERFUL people in the world of surrogacy, and unfortunately some who like to play with peoples feelings and emotions. By joining *a little wish* you will know (as far as anyone can) that the people speaking in that area do intended to help and be helped.
If you speak with people outside of that area, PLEASE PLEASE be careful, not all are genuine.
Our first group was sucessful, their host journey was less than a year and brought into the world idential twins.
Also as part of our celebrations of the arrival of our first surrogacy babies we have specially reduced fees, these will only be available until 21st April 2009.
If you would like more details, application form and further information please contact us
FREE Membership of our Message Board
- for Red and Green Caterpillar sections
- limited message board support
- opportunity to join our get togethers
Membership fees - These fees are for one year only
As one of our surrogates said - who has been part of an established group said, just because you pay a higher price with another group does not necessarily mean the more support / assistance.
Intended Surrogate - Free
Intended Parents (without a surrogate) £250
Intended Parents (with a surrogate) £200
Gamete Donor - Free
Gamete Recipient(without a donor) £175
Gamete Recipient (with a donor) £125
Extra costs include ...
Membership meeting (£50) and travel costs for intended parents and recipients Agreement meeting (£50) and travel costs for intended parents with surroagte and recipients with donor
- we do not add this into your inital cost as some people change to a different path.
- you DO have the option to pay for this with your inital membership to be excluded from any fee increase, it is then NON-refundable.
- to join our surrogacy or donor group
- to have a monthly support call, more if/when needed
- to have a copy of our newsletter
- reduced ticket price for get togethers from Spring 2009
- access to the *alw* members sections of the message board
- a vote in the running and organisation of our group at the relevant time.
Friend of *a little wish* - £30 this is a membership
Primarily for those that wish to support *ALW* that are not surrogates or IP's however wish to assist us and be part of our community.
Secondary for those that are considering surrogacy but are not yet in a position to be on a journey however wish to assist us and be part of our community.
- this level of membership has a partial vote at the relevant time.
- reduced ticket price for get togethers from Spring 2009
- a copy of our newsletters are included during the time of this membership
Renewal of membership
Retired/Successful Surrogate - Free up until the first year after a PO has been completed.
Retired/Successful Donor - TBC
Intended Parents £40 (who still hope for a surrogacy journey/ have not completed their surrogacy journey)
Retired or Successful Surrogate/Donor / New Parents £20 (this is also for intended parents who are on a break before embarking on a subsequent journey, at a reduced fee)
Those who undertake media on behalf of *a little wish* may have renewal fees wavered
In the eara of price comparisons ....
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