Support Group and Events Listing Update 10.24.10:

Please Reply: NYC GATHERING WORKSHOP NOV 14,2010. Anyone (peer or professional) interested in leading or suggesting specific topics for small roundtable discussion groups at this event please let me know.

The NYC Gathering Womens Dinner in Midtown- Tues 11-16, Mon 12-13 saxel95@aol.com. 516-967-7430, 5:30-7:30pm.

Long Island Resolve Peer-Led Support Group-Third Thursdays Monthly -Nov 18, Dec 16, 7-9pm. Saxel95@aol.com, 516-967-7430.
Tuesdays -Judith Kottick,LCSW -Montclair NJ,Support Group for Donor Parenting mailto:Judykottick@comcast.net  Tuesadays 10-26,12-7

Weds-Midtown-Family Building Network for Donor Conception and Surrogacy-Support Group with Patricia Mendell, LCSW, Pmendell@aol.com 11-17,12-15,1-19 from 7-9pm.

Weds-Anne Malave, PHd-Support Group for Women Exploring Egg Donation-2nd and 4th Weds of the month, 7-8:30 pm, afmalave@aol.com ,212-787-1304.

Tues-Upper West Side-Nov 9, Dec 14,Support Group, Elizabeth SIlk, LCSW, 212-873-6434 , Nancy Kaufman, LCSW, 212-772-1200 or thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com.

Thursdays-Midtown Not strictly Third Party Reproduction, open (free) drop-in group Carolyn Berger, LCSW. at Batzofin Fertility Center in Midtown on the 1st and 3rd Thursday each month, 6-7:3pm. cnberger@optonline.net 914-834-6396.

Stress Reduction for Infertility Classes with Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD, 420 East 64th Street call 212-758-0125,or email helen@helenadrienne.com, 6:30-8:30PM,cost $75.00. Meets@NYU Fertility Center, 660 First Avenue, 6th Floor, corner of 38th Street, NYC.

The November 14 NYC Gathering Workshop

Planning for The November 14 NYC Gathering Workshop is being finalized. Replies needed from leaders and participants Please.
If you would like to but have not already confirmed your attendance as a participant or facilitating a peer or professionally-led roundtable, please let me know what your topic (roundtable I or II or both) will be. You are welcome to bring your current group so we can include them in the gathering, introduce your organization,expertise, community, interests to us and likewise, us to you. Feel free to bring your printed materials, brochures, flyers, books you've authored or have found to be helpful, etc.

This is a day of support and education, all ideas and topics will be considered and anyone thinking, trying or parenting through Third Party Reproduction is welcome. Blended families are welcome, as are LGBT families, Choice Moms and Dads, Co-parenting families, etc.

If you are a leading a roundtable and are a professional in this field and/or have something you'd like to share with the entire room we will have time set aside for Q&A.
We have interest in leading small (8-10 people)roundtable discussions on these topics and have room (total 15 tables) for more of the same or others
Disclosure
Decision Making-Adoption, Donor, and Surrogacy
The legal client as Fertility patient
DS Dad and Personalized Family Story Picture Book
Nature vs Nurture-Genetics and parenting discussion
Childrens Book Discussion
How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen So Kids will Talk
Body-Mind Connection
Alternative Medicine
The Donor Selection Process for Choice Moms

The schedule is as follows.

Registration 12:15-12:30
Intro-12:30-12:45
Roundtable I-12:45-1:45
Lunch-1:45-2:30
Rountable II-2:30-3:45 pm
Break 3:45-4:00
Q&A Closing 4:00-5:00

The format is roundtables of 8-10 per table, peer and professionally led. Cost is $75 pp, $125 per family (total adults), $45 per child for babysitting all day, lunch is included.

Please distribute this as your flyer until the final version is ready.
Thanks and best to all,
Sara Axel
The NYC Gathering
516-967-7430
http://donorgroupsnyc.blogspot.com/

FAMILY BUILDING NETWORK Wednesday, October 20, 2010

FAMILY BUILDING NETWORK

SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
7-9pm
The Family Building Network Support Group, facilitated by Patricia Mendell, LCSW, is a monthly support group dedicated to helping families formed through donation and surrogacy, create healthy and lasting connections between parents and their children.

When non-traditional family building is part of the family story, parents can feel unsure about how to parent their children. Many are surprised that it is often the normal tasks of family living that unearth those unresolved thoughts and feelings about how their children came into their lives. Sharing these concerns with other parents, and understanding how to talk about these experiences within the family and with others, can give parents the tools needed to establish a healthy and honest foundation that strengthens family ties and enables them to respond to their children’s questions as they evolve over time.

Each person in a family has their own unique Family Story revealing how they became part of their family. Whether children are created through traditional/gestational surrogacy, egg/sperm/embryo donation and/or genetic and non-genetic combinations, parents will need to create Our Family Story. Develop a comfort level that allows for an ongoing dialogue for children to be able to ask questions about their origins and how they came to be part of this family.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 7:00-9:00 pm
$25 per person
902 Broadway (between 20th-21st Streets next to
920 Broadway), 13th Floor, NYC 10010
Patricia Mendell, LCSW, 718-230-9383
http://www.patriciamendell.com/ (space is limited)

Update from the Northeast Region of RESOLVE

Update from the Northeast Region of RESOLVE: Serving Fairfield County Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania
HelpLine: 888.765.

Women and men with infertility do have options in how to build their family. For some, adoption or third party reproduction is the right path to parenthood. For others, a family of two becomes a satisfactory resolution. How do you know what is right for you, especially when there are so many people and events influencing your decision?

No matter where you are in your family building journey, two Resolve-Sponsored seminars in New York City will provide you with important information to guide your path.

When Fertility Treatments Haven't Worked: Deciding How to Move Forward
October 20
New York, NY
Ellen Shapiro, LCSW, will discuss family building through donor egg/sperm and adoption as well as child free living.


Learn more.
Disclosure Issues in Adoption and Egg and Sperm Donation
November 3
New York, NY
Anne Malave, PhD, guides workshop participants through what and how to share information about their family-building decisions.


Learn more.
Contact RESOLVE today
Phone: 703.556.7172
Fax: 703.506.3266
RESOLVE:
The National Infertility Association
1760 Old Meadow Rd., Suite 500
McLean, VA 22102
© 2010 RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association 1760 Old Meadow Road Suite 500 McLean VA 22102

Northeast Resolve in Need of General IF Peer Group Leader

Another opportunity to say how gratifying it has been to be a Resolve volunteer. The Peer Support Group Volunteer for the General Infertility Group has relocated and a replacement is needed. Please contact me directly and I will pass you along to Margaret Berardelli or you can contact her yourself to see about getting involved. 

Contact RESOLVE today
Phone: 703.556.7172
Fax: 703.506.3266
RESOLVE:
The National Infertility Association
1760 Old Meadow Rd., Suite 500
McLean, VA 22102
© 2010 RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association 1760 Old Meadow Road Suite 500 McLean VA 22102


Margaret Berardelli

Director of Constituent Services
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
703.476.6377
888.699.0939
info@resolve.org
www.resolve.org

October 7 Voice America Show on Disclosure of Donor Origins to Children

Theresa Erickson,Conceptual Options, Ericksonlaw.com is hosting a radio show on Voice America. All shows are archived and there is an interesting and informative variety available and to be aired over the next several months.

On October 7th, I was a guest on the show to talk about The NYC Gathering and Disclosure of Donor Origins, along with Marna Gatlin of PVED.ORG and Megan Erickson, Theresa's Daughter.

Theresa hosted a great show and made my first public interview and radio experience (since the Sunday Morning Puzzle with Will Shortz and Leeann Hansen on NPR 20 yrs ago) both comfortable and enlightening.

Marna shared her insights and mission for PVED.org and has done tremendous work  supporting the families involved in egg donation and the on-going OPEN discussion she is creating in our community.

Thanks so much to Megan Erickson who shared a side of egg donation not often heard from and indeed one person who has so much to offer others and is willing to share it. Theresa, Megan and Marna-what great examples of what strong families can be.



http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=49165
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1767

October 17 UPDATE Support Group Events NYC

NYC GATHERING WORKSHOP NOV 14,2010. Replies Needed Please


The NYC Gathering Womens Dinner in Midtown Replies Needed Please for Mon Oct 18, Tues 11-16, Mon 12-13 saxel95@aol.com. 516-967-7430, 5:30-7:30pm.
Long Island Resolve Peer-Led Support Group-Third Thursdays Monthly -Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16, 7-9pm. Saxel95@aol.com, 516-967-7430.

Tuesdays -Judith Kottick,LCSW -Montclair NJ,Support Group for Donor Parenting Judykottick@comcast.netTuesdays 10-26,12-7.

Weds-Midtown-Family Building Network for Donor Conception and Surrogacy-Support Group with Patricia Mendell, LCSW, Pmendell@aol.com 10-20,11-17,12-15,1-19 from 7-9pm.

Weds-Anne Malave, PHd-Support Group for Women Exploring Egg Donation-2nd and 4th Weds of the month, 7-8:30 pm, afmalave@aol.com ,212-787-1304.

Tues-Upper West Side-TPPN-Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14,Support Group, Elizabeth SIlk, LCSW, 212-873-6434 , Nancy Kaufman, LCSW, 212-772-1200 or thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com.

Thursdays-Midtown Not strictly Third Party Reproduction, open (free) drop-in group Carolyn Berger, LCSW. at Batzofin Fertility Center in Midtown on the 1st and 3rd Thursday each month, 6-7:3pm. cnberger@optonline.net 914-834-6396.

Stress Reduction for Infertility Classes with Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD, 420 East 64th Street call 212-758-0125,or email helen@helenadrienne.com, 6:30-8:30PM,cost $75.00. Meets@NYU Fertility Center, 660 First Avenue, 6th Floor, corner of 38th Street, NYC.

Nov 14,2010 Workshop Info

Planning for The November 14 NYC Gathering Workshop is being finalized. Replies needed from leaders and participants Please.


If you would like to but have not already confirmed your attendance as a participant or facilitating a peer or professionally-led roundtable, please let me know what your topic (roundtable I or II or both) will be. You are welcome to bring your current group so we can include them in the gathering, introduce your organization,expertise, community, interests to us and likewise, us to you. Feel free to bring your printed materials, brochures, flyers, books you've authored or have found to be helpful, etc.

This is an open day of support and education, all ideas and topics will be considered and anyone thinking, trying or parenting through Third Party Reproduction is welcome. Blended families are welcome, as are LGBT families, Choice Moms and Dads, Co-parenting families, etc.

If you are a leading a roundtable and are a professional in this field and/or have something you'd like to share with the entire room, we will open with a 45 min Q&A.

We have interest in leading small (8-10 people)roundtable discussions on these topics and have room (total 15 tables) for more of the same or others:

Disclosure
Decision Making-Adoption, Donor, and Surrogacy
The Legal client as Fertility patient
DS Dad and Personalized Family Story Picture Book
Nature vs Nurture-Genetics and parenting discussion
Childrens Book Discussion
How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen So Kids will Talk
Body-Mind Connection
Alternative Medicine
The schedule is as follows.

Registration 12:15-12:30
Intro-12:30-12:45
Q&A-12:45-1:30
Lunch-1:30-2:15
Rountable I-2:15-3:30 pm
Break 3:30-3:45
Roundtable II-3:45-5pm
Closing 5-5:30

The format is roundtables of 8-10 per table, peer and professionally led. Cost is $75 pp, $125 per family (total adults), $45 per child for babysitting all day, lunch is included.

TPPN March '09 Meeting Recap Worth Repeating

Nancy and Elizabeth run a great group. We shared our thoughts, feelings and experiences and everyone was heard and supported, all within our varying opinions and perspectives.

Particularly helpful to me was hearing Eric Schwartzman's views on being a DI Dad and we all considered how donor conception and all the 3rd party options impact our kids and how we think we will handle it into the future.

For me, I'm not ready for the DSR, but learning from everyone here at this meeting (pro and con), I am trying to remain open-minded and gear myself up for whatever approach my kids want to take when the time comes. My aim would be to support them and help them accomplish their goals and meet their own needs. I hope they too will share their journey with me.

I was also able to explore my own issues as they pertain to DE, ie my family of origin, my heritage, my genome. And back to understanding that it isnt just about me anymore. As Nancy has told me, this is now OUR FAMILY story, not just mine or my kids.

Thanks again to all who attended and to Elizabeth and Nancy for hosting and facilitating.

The TPPN Meeting is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 7-8:30 on the Upper West Side. Call 212-873-6435 or 212-772-1200, email- thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com and the cost is $20pp/30 per family.

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver


You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.


from Dream Work by Mary Oliver
published by Atlantic Monthly Press
© Mary Oliver

Conversation with Diane Ehrensaft October 10, 2010

I've been talking with Diane Ehrensaft (author of "Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Suggogates") about Birth Others, Genetic Others, ages and stages of disclosure (see post from our NYC Gathering Womens Dinner in January with Diane where we discussed ages and stages of disclosure).

Diane coined the term "birth other"--which includes both donors and surrogates/gestational carriers (who are not genetically related) . My term for egg donors is "genetic others" since they didnt do the birthing.


The "young scientists" are the young school age kids who are interested in how things work rather than the complicated psychological implications. That comes later.

Diane strongly recommends having someone talk to classrooms and train teachers so that the children from assisted reproductive families do not feel like outliers (MY BIGGEST ISSUE AROUND THIS) and the issues apply to all children and the different ways of building families.
All parenthood involves loss-loss of nonparenthood life, loss of sleep, loss of fantasies as they are are replaced by the real child.  

For those parents who have dealt with fertility problems, there may be the loss of having a genetically related child. For those parents missing a parent to have a baby with, there may be a feeling of a missing parent, who a donor cannot be. As long as people know it comes with the territory, they don't have to sweep the feelings under the rug.

What Diane wants parents to know is

1) that they will creatively draw their own family map and then navigate within it; there is no one boiler plate; 2) dishonesty never pays; 3) authenticity does; 4) at the same time, there can be tiers of disclosure and layers of privacy; 5) children are incredibly adaptable organisms, and all children have something to deal with; a birth history that involved assisted reproductive technology is one of those things to deal with, and can be done with pride and good feeling, as long as parents leave room for the full gamut of their children's feelings (and their own); 6) at the time, parents should carve out separate space to work through their own raw feelings, if they surface, so that what reaches the child are metabolized and empathic responses, rather than torn or conflicted ones.

What Is The NYC GATHERING October 2010

The NYC Gathering is the name I gave the meetings I was holding, starting in 2002, when I couldnt find a support group to fit my needs and started my own. Instead of putting "DE" in the subject line I found out that people preferred not to have that info so easily seen on their email and the name stuck.



Here is how I define it today and what you will find listed on this Blog.


The NYC Gathering Womens Dinners in Midtown-why dont we include men and what do we do at a womens dinner? We cover whatever anyone wants, whatever point they are at in their journey. Unless there is a specific topic listed, almost every group I run is for people on the journey of third-party familiy-building, from considering it, trying to conceive, to parenting. (THINKERS, TRYERS, PARENTS) on Adoption vs DE, or to learn and offer their support and expertise, ie Elizabeth Silk and others.
We can try a mixed dinner with men any time. Please feel free to contact me to discuss it.


The NYC Gathering All-inclusive is for anyone on the spectrum as noted above, and anyone you want to bring that is interested in the process for themselves, to support you, as a friend or family member and kids. The kids usually get involved in their own stuff, playing or whatever, and the grown-ups hang-out. For me this is about friendship, creating community, new connections, support and something for our kids, so they will be able to know each other and be there for each other too.

The NYC Gathering Workshops are both professionally-led and peer-led workshops. There is an on-going list of volunteers who also do individual peer-support for anyone who would like to talk to another person about their experience.

Link To Radio Show October 7, 2010

Thanks again to Reproductive and Family Lawyer Theresa Erickson of Conceptual Options and Ericksonlaw.com, Marna Gatlin of PVED.org  and Theresa's daughter Megan Erickson, for todays Radio Show on Voice America. I was honored to be part of this innovative and educational series happening on Voice America.

We are very fortunate to have professionals like Theresa and Marna (and Theresa's other guest experts) in the field of Third Party Family Building.

The show Marna and I were on together was on the topic of Disclosure. Marna shares with us her insights on how she came up with new terminology, her approach with her own family, and all the services provided and being developed at PVED.org.

Megan Erickson spoke about her experience having a Mom who has been an egg donor and her feelings about having genetic others in her own life growing up and now as the young woman Theresa can be so proud of.

http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1767

Nov 14 Workshops and Event Planning Info

Dear Friends of The NYC Gathering:


Event planning has begun. We will be using a larger room and we have a new
format to accomodate a variety of round-table discussion groups and even leave a few tables open just for mingling, eating, hanging out.


The small ballroom we reserved holds 15-20 tables of 10 and we are scheduled for
12:30-5:30. Each table would hold 2 discussion groups each,one before lunch,one
after lunch, or they can be a continuation-Part I and Part II.


The ballroom is adjacent to the kids playroom and the Creative Sitters staff
will be running their program for our members bringing kids, as usual.
If you know anyone who may be interested, please feel free to pass this along.


To start with,please let me know if you are interested in any of the following:


Participating-attending the workshop and if so any particular topic(s) you would
like to have covered and/or talk to others about?


Leading a peer group,what topic (s) would you like to talk with others in a similar
situation about?


Leading-as a volunteer for a peer group, helping others by sharing your story and
experience with others who may be considering a similar journey?


Facilitating-as a professional,speaking about a topic within your field of
expertise. For a an MD or therapist this might be about moving forward,
decision-making,donor or gc selection, having a baby via de 101 (an
overview) ,etc. An attorney will be talking about the infertility patient as legal client.
More topics that are currently in the works and some to consider being part of the offerings:


Disclosure to the others in our lives-Whether to tell, whom to tell, what and when to tell them.
Dislosure to children-building and creating the family story. Concepts and
real-life scenarios. By age-range and situation, including talking about reproduction.


Genetics-nature vs nurture.
Body-mind connection in infertility treatment.
Holistic and complementary medicine in infertility treatment.


Donor agencies,attys and clinic programs, the screening and decision-making
process. Their role as patient and client advocates. What you wish you knew about them, what they wish you knew.


Donor and third-party vs adoption decision-making.


Childrens book reviews and recommendations,perhaps with role-playing for
questions kids might ask (as requested by someone at our last womens dinner when we covered this).


Parenting issues ie Co-parenting, Parenting over 45, Single Parenting,LGBT Parenting.


Thinking, trying, parenting of any of the following:
Blended Genetic, Bio and non-bio
DE
Ds/de.
Donor embryo.
Surrogacy.


Parenting after infertility-general discussion


Adoption and/or Third Party reproduction-what we have learned from the adoption
world that would be valuable to families created via de and surrogacy,as well as
blended families? Or-Which option is best for your family-building journey?


How to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk.


New options in fertility treatment-the lastest advances, success rates,travel
options, egg-freezing,pgd.


The Donor Sibling Registry and other similar networks, when and how to begin.


And of course, any type of support group is welcome-if one already exists that would like to attend and set-up shop or if you would like to start one here, we are open and look forward to helping you grow and become part of our community as well.


Please contact me via email at saxel95@aol.com to discuss your interest and register for the event.

Support Group and Events Listing for Fall/Winter 2010:

Support Group and Events Listing for Fall/Winter 2010:


HOLD THE DATE: NYC GATHERING WORKSHOP NOV 14,2010. DETAILS TO FOLLOW. Anyone (peer or professional) interested in leading or suggesting specific topics for small roundtable discussion groups at this event please let me know.

The NYC Gathering Womens Dinner in Midtown Mon Sept 13 (CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW-discussion led by Psychologist and Donor Mom, Dr. Nancy Freeman Carroll), Mon Oct 18, Tues 11-16, Mon 12-13 saxel95@aol.com. 516-967-7430, 5:30-7:30pm.


Long Island Resolve Peer-Led Support Group-Third Thursdays Monthly -Sept 16,Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16, 7-9pm. Saxel95@aol.com, 516-967-7430.

Tuesdays -Judith Kottick,LCSW -Montclair NJ,Support Group for Donor Parenting Judykottick@comcast.netTuesdays 9-14,10-26,12-7.
Weds-Midtown-Family Building Network for Donor Conception and Surrogacy-Support Group with Patricia Mendell, LCSW, Pmendell@aol.com 9-8,10-20,11-17,12-15,1-19 from 7-9pm.


Weds-Anne Malave, PHd-Support Group for Women Exploring Egg Donation-2nd and 4th Weds of the month, 7-8:30 pm, afmalave@aol.com ,212-787-1304.


Tues-Upper West Side-Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14,Support Group, Elizabeth SIlk, LCSW, 212-873-6434 , Nancy Kaufman, LCSW, 212-772-1200 or thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com.


Thursdays-Midtown Not strictly Third Party Reproduction, open (free) drop-in group Carolyn Berger, LCSW. at Batzofin Fertility Center in Midtown on the 1st and 3rd Thursday each month, 6-7:3pm. cnberger@optonline.net 914-834-6396.

NYC Gathering Womens Dinner Recap-Childrens Book Review

September 13, 2010, led by Nancy Freeman-Carroll, PsyD.

The NYC Gathering Group joined together to review some of the books available to introduce the idea of assisted conception to children. There was a range of opinions about which books "spoke" most directly to each of us. Some especially liked the lovely illustrations in "Mommy was your tummy big?" Others, the books that gave less information, and left more room for the reader/mother to fill in details with her own story. The best of these seemed to mention less about donors and details of medical treatment, and more about how each family is unique and special.

We agreed that the books with more information about IVF, DE, DI are more appropriate for somewhat older children, but somewhat problematic, as many of them include a lot of references to the parents' struggle with infertility and how that was presented. There was consensus that too much talk about doctors and treatments could trouble a young child, and lead them to be concerned for their parents.

There is no perfect story, but all of the books are helpful because they encourage parents to speak to children about the special ways they were conceived. At the moment, we are all focused on talking to young children, stay tuned as we think more about how to talk to older kids too.



Nancy Freeman-Carroll, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist-Psychoanalyst
350 Central Park West, Suite 13E
New York, NY 10025
212-665-0442
nminafreeman@mindspring.com

New Professionally Run Resolve Support Group on Long Island

New From Janet Mueller:

My infertility group, which is starting Oct 12th at 7;00pm.The sessions run for 90 minutes. We will meet for 8 sessions. The focus is to learn skills that will help with dealing with infertility. We will be meeting at my home office at 135 Grace St. Plainview, NY Phone 516 822-6212. Women going through or considering egg donation are welcome. Also this is a Resolve sponsored event.. I am listed on their website.The group members need to come in for an intake session. I charge $60 and they will be given an invoice. Each group session is $40.



Janet Mueller Psy.D
JanetMu@earthlink.net
Long Island Resolve Support Group Coordinator
Phone:516 822-6212

October 7 Radio Show http://www.ericksonlaw.net/surrogacy-law-radio

The Surrogacy Lawyer Radio Program- Thursday at 11am PDT


October 7, Theresa Erickson will interview her guests (Sara, Marna and Megan) about disclosure for both donor-conceived children and (non-donor conceived) children of egg donors


Prospective parents who utilize third party reproductive technologies like egg donation must answer many questions as they move through the decision-making process. How should they choose an egg donor? Should the donation be known or anonymous? If, when and how should they disclose information to their child and others? Additionally, egg donors need to consider whom they will tell about their donation, especially their current or future children.


In the second part of a two-part series on donor disclosure, Theresa Erickson will discuss these and other questions on The Surrogacy Lawyer: Your Guide to IVF and Third Party Reproduction in an episode entitled “The Two Sides of Donor Disclosure,” that will air on Thursday, October 7 at 11AM PST/2PM EST on Voice America.


Surrogacy lawyer, author and radio host Theresa Erickson will be interviewing Marna Gatlin, founder and CEO of Parents Via Egg Donation (PVED); Sara Axel, founder of the NYC Gathering and a parent of twin six-year-old girls conceived through egg donation; and Megan Erickson, law student and Theresa Erickson’s daughter.


“Disclosure often is the elephant in the room,“ says attorney Erickson. “All parties know it is important, but also realize it is one of the hardest issues to address. Intended parents need to wrestle with determining whom should they tell, what information their children need to know and when they should learn it. Then there is the other side of the coin of how the egg donor should handle disclosure. As a former egg donor, I have had this conversation with my children, one of whom will relay her feelings about this.”


http://www.ericksonlaw.net/surrogacy-law-radio

NY Metro Area Resolve Support Group Listings

http://resolve.charitydynamics.com/support_groups/search.php?zip=10018