How Do I Pick a Sperm Bank and Donor?

by California Cryobank September 12, 2024 5 min read

In partnership with California Cryobank

Searching for the perfect fit for your future family is a huge step and can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, California Cryobank®, the #1 sperm bank in America, makes the path to your family planning a little easier. A global leader, California Cryobank’s donor sperm services have helped create more than 75,000 families worldwide. Their extensive and diverse portfolio includes hundreds of donors (from donation centers across the nation) with a variety of physical characteristics, ethnicities, religions, interests, and talents.

What makes California Cryobank donors stand out?

Less than 1% of applicants will make it into their donor portfolio due to their high standards and minimum donation requirements.
Since 2018, all new donors are required to be ID Disclosure Donors,* which makes up more than 75% of their catalog. This allows California Cryobank to release certain identifying information to any donor conceived individuals once they turn 18 upon their request. This information may include: donor's full name, donation location and last known address or email.
Their qualification process includes everything from extensive medical testing, genetic screening and psychological evaluations to educational and criminal background checks.
Most donor profiles are complete with donor photos (usually childhood photos and sometimes adult photos), detailed family medical histories, physical characteristics, ancestry information, and donor essays.

How does California Cryobank help me in the future?

1. Making it easier to manage multiple purchases

California Cryobank encourages families to purchase multiple vials from their ideal and chosen donor, right from the start — especially if you think you may be interested in using that donor for future siblings. That way, even if the donor retires or has vials that sell out quickly, you’ll be covered. Here’s how they make it easier to manage your multiple-vial purchase:

The California Cryobank Buyback Option: Unshipped vials may be purchased back by California Cryobank for 50% of the original purchase price. Learn more here.
California Cryobank's Family Today & Family Tomorrow® programs: These FREE storage programs give you greater savings with the more vials you buy. Learn more here.

2. Creating connections with their Sibling Registry

Anticipating a child's need for information, as well as the desire of many families to connect, California Cryobank has created their Sibling Registry to help donor siblings to find each other.

This is an entirely voluntary and complimentary service.
Those who choose to enroll in the Sibling Registry must report their pregnancy as a prerequisite to gain access.
Once enrolled, families will have access to information regarding potential siblings who have used their same donor and have chosen to enroll. Each Donor Sibling Group includes a Sibling Listing for that donor (from those who have chosen to participate), a Bulletin Board for sharing information, and sometimes the opportunity to contact other siblings and families who used your donor. Learn more here.

3. Offering access to the incredible potential of newborn stem cells

As an expecting family with California Cryobank, you get access to theCord Blood Advantage® Program through their sister company,Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®). Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after delivery. Umbilical cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These powerful stem cells are the building blocks of the blood and immune system and can be used in a stem cell transplant to treat over 80 conditions (1).

Your baby's umbilical cord is made of tissue. It contains several cell types, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are among the most widely researched cell types in the rapidly evolving area of regenerative medicine (2). Over 500 clinical trials have been initiated to study the use of cord blood and cord tissue in experimental regenerative medicine applications for various indications (3).

The Cord Blood Advantage® Program is provided at no additional cost, currently a $2,870 value.
Their Cord Blood Advantage Program includes: free cord blood and cord tissue processing, shipping and first-year storage, dedicated educator for you every step of the way, and a safe and secure storage facility. You will be responsible for storage after the first year. Learn more here.

Dedicated support

California Cryobank’s dedicated team of Family Building Consultants is with you every step of the way — from offering guidance during the donor selection process, to assistance with shipping and storage, and more. Just a phone call away, they are here to provide the help and support you’re looking for.

Flexible financing programs open up the possibilities

Because everyone deserves to have the family they’ve always dreamed of, California Cryobank has partnered with CapexMD and Future Family. Each specializes in patient financing services for fertility treatment options to provide an easy, convenient loan process, as well as competitive rates.

Tips from other California Cryobank families

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind as you search for your ideal sperm donor:

If you’re doing this with a partner, create individual must-have lists for your donor. Then come together to see where your must-haves overlap. This will help to narrow your search.
Try finding similar familial or physical characteristics like those of your partner or yourself.
Check out how Lala Kent threw her own sperm donor party. [LINK]

California Cryobank has been helping to create and grow families for over 45 years. They provide the support you need every step of the way. So, what are you waiting for? Head to cryobank.com today and use promo code MOSIE for a free level 2 subscription to their donor catalog and let them join you on your journey and build the family you’ve always dreamed of.

California Cryobank is proud to offer ID Disclosure Donors. ID Disclosure Donors have agreed to allow California Cryobank to release their identifying information to any donor-conceived individual once they turn 18 upon request. This information may include: donor's full name, donation location, last-known address, or email. California Cryobank reserves the right to deny access to the donor’s identifying information if the donor-conceived person does not agree to the program guidelines as stated.

Vial buyback is subject to approval by California Cryobank. Families will receive a check within 8 weeks. This offer is not available for the Donor Reserve Program. Storage fees are not included in the offer and will not be refunded or pro-rated. Does not apply if vials have been shipped. Terms and conditions are subject to change.

Family Today & Family Tomorrow, Vial Buyback, and Vial Exchange terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Offer applies to single-birth, U.S. customers only. After the first year, families are responsible for storage. Families can choose to renew storage each year, or they can save on 18-year or lifetime options. Current storage pricing can be found at www.cordblood.com/enroll, which may be subject to change.

Mayani, H., Wagner, J.E. & Broxmeyer, H.E. Cord blood research, banking, and transplantation: achievements, challenges, and perspectives. Bone Marrow Transplant 55, 48–61 (2020).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-019-0546-9
Vasanthan J, Gurusamy N, Rajasingh S, et al. Role of human mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative therapy. MDPI.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/1/54#cite. Published December 31, 2020. Accessed November 17, 2022.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. Accessed October 21, 2022.https://clinicaltrials.gov/