The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Log in to the Fairfax forum site, which is connected to your FairfaxCryobank.com account, if you have one already
2) Once you locate your desired donor group, press "Join" at the right of the group
3) Once prompted, to confirm your request, please include the following to verify your information:
- Name (under which the vial was purchased)
- Clinic Name
- Donor number
- Child Date of Birth or Estimated Due Date
Please allow 2-4 business days to process your request.
Note: A reported pregnancy or birth is required to join private donor groups. Be sure to complete the report prior to submitting your request: https://fairfaxcryobank.com/pregnancy-report-form
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS or CLI donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking to start a private donor group for a CLI or PRS donor*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com. All other Client Services questions can be directed to info@fairfaxcryobank.com.
To learn more about how to use the new forum, watch this quick YouTube tutorial:
https://youtu.be/qHoF5EY6eSM.Medical Update- Fairfax Cryobank Donor 5463
This information does not mean that your children have or will have any medical issues related to this update, but we feel it is important to keep families informed about the health of their donors and the children they helped conceive.
A second child conceived using donor 5463 has been diagnosed with autism.
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that can appear early in childhood development, varies in severity, and is characterized by impaired social skills, communication problems, and repetitive actions. These difficulties can interfere with an individual’s ability to function in social, academic, and employment settings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, ASD affects approximately 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.
Genetic factors are estimated to contribute to approximately 40 to 80 percent of ASD risk. That said, the risk from genetic variants combined with environmental risk factors, such as parental age, maternal conditions, birth complications, and others that have not been identified, often impact an individual's risk of developing ASD.
What are the chances my child will have this condition?
Recent studies have estimated that, when a child has been diagnosed with ASD, the risk a second child (who was conceived by the same egg and sperm source) will develop ASD is 18 to 20%. When two half-siblings (i.e., someone conceived from the same sperm source but different egg sources) have been diagnosed with ASD, the risk that other half-siblings will develop ASD is believed to be increased, however a specific risk number is unknown.
Of note, while two children who have been conceived using donor 5463 have been diagnosed with ASD, many other children conceived using this donor have not been diagnosed with ASD.
At the current time, there are no preimplantation or prenatal tests to detect children who will be affected with ASD if the underlying cause of ASD is unknown, as is the case here. For those with children by this donor, the diagnosis of ASD is worth mentioning to your child’s pediatrician. A child who is meeting developmental milestones and not showing autistic behaviors in their preschool years has a very low chance of having ASD.
A common question is ‘Did this come from the donor?’ The simple answer is that we don’t know. There is no testing currently available to offer the donor if the underlying etiology of ASD is unknown in the affected child. As two cases of ASD have been reported in children conceived with this donor, we are electing to err on the side of caution and restrict the use of this donor.
Options for Clients with Stored Vials from this Donor:
We understand that the decision whether to use these stored semen vials is an important one, so we are offering you a full year (through 02/27/2025) to decide how you would like to proceed.
- If you want to keep your vials for future use:
You do not need to do anything now. If your vials are stored at Fairfax, you will need to sign and return an Informed Consent form prior to shipping your vials. This form can be obtained by contacting Client Services.
- If you want to return your vials:
If your unused vials are stored with Fairfax Cryobank, simply contact us and we will work with you to process the return. You will receive a full refund of the cost you paid per unused vial.
- If your unused vials are stored with your doctor:
You are still eligible for a refund. You will need to work with your doctor’s office to authorize the destruction of the vials stored there. We will need documentation from the clinic where they are stored that includes your name, the donor number, number of vials, date of destruction, and each vial ID. Please forward the documentation to info@fairfaxcryobank.com or fax 703-698-3933. Once that is received, we will reach out to you and process your refund.
Our staff is ready to help should you wish to pursue a refund or exchange. Please call Client Services at 800-338-8407 or email info@fairfaxcryobank.com.
Fairfax Cryobank's has a full-time certified genetic counselor to answer your genetic-related questions.
Shannon Wieloch, MS
Certified Genetic Counselor
3015 Williams Drive #110
Fairfax, VA 22031
email: genetics@fairfaxcryobank.com
Howdy, Stranger!
