Dear Claire and Dorothy

Sorry it took so long to write to you but we've been so busy. Hope all is well in sunnier climes? Em wants to come back to see her friend Memhet, she still talks about him! Grace is doing really well, we're into a routine now (almost!) and Em is still being a great help. I've attached a photograph for you and written about our experience.

I had my first daughter without any problems when I was 40 and decided to try straight away for another baby. I was devastated to be told after trying for two years and following exhaustive tests, that my ovarian reserve was so low, that I had little chance of having another baby. However, at the age of 44, I gave birth to my second daughter, all thanks to the UKCFA.
I was advised that egg donation offered the only chance, but the waiting list for a UK donor was years and I felt at a loss on how to proceed as a foreign donor was my only option. I communicated with a number of European clinics, but there were language difficulties and I didn’t feel that my questions were dealt with sympathetically at a time when I was feeling quite upset and confused. I discussed my concerns with my consultant, who put me in touch with the UKCFA. I was immediately contacted by their UK co-ordinator Claire, who called me at home and spent a great deal of time explaining how the donation process worked and the procedures my husband and I should expect to undergo before and during our trip to Cyprus. I was encouraged to ask any questions and immediately felt comfortable and confident in the UKCFA team approach. I had to attend only one referral appointment in Liverpool and again was encouraged to ask as many questions as I needed to.

I was contacted by Dorothy, a British Consultant Nurse who is based in Cyprus and one of the co-ordinators for the UKCFA. Dorothy reassured me about the treatment I would receive and the standards to which the hospital works. She even helped us find accommodation in Cyprus since we had decided to take our little girl with us for the 10 day trip. We decided when it was convenient for us to visit Cyprus and Claire sent us information from which we chose our donor and she arranged for all my medication to be delivered direct to me.

Once in Cyprus, the clinic arranged for us to be collected from the airport and our driver was available to take us to our clinic appointments. He gave us his private mobile number and insisted we ring if we needed any help. He arranged a hire car and when we had a minor motor accident, he sorted everything out for us with the other driver, over the phone!

The clinic was modern and clean with excellent facilities and the staff could not have been nicer to us, or our little girl. We only had to attend on two occasions, for a couple of hours each time. Dorothy was always available to explain what was going to happen (and hold my hand at times!) and she kept in daily contact as our embryos developed. Once home, Claire and Dorothy continued to offer support until we had our pregnancy confirmed and we returned to NHS care.

We cannot thank the UKCFA staff enough for helping us to achieve our dream, their kindness and professionalism cannot be praised highly enough!

Love to xxx