Fertility Agency Sweetens Incentives to Gestational
Surrogates; Finds Interest Up
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2008)-- A Chicago fertility solutions
agency believes it has a win/win proposition for women of child-bearing
age trying to cope with the effects of a free-falling economy:
If you otherwise meet the requirements to serve as a gestational
surrogate, are not on public aid, but don’t have health insurance,
we want to talk to you.
Alternative Reproductive Resources (ARR)
matches infertile intended parents with both egg donors and the
gestational surrogates who undertake the pregnancy on their behalf.
Typically, the fetus is the biological child of one or both of
the intended parents who can’t bear it themselves.
The demand for
gestational surrogates generally outpaces the supply. Still, a
recent advertisement about its offer in the economically hard-hit
city of Rockford, IL netted ARR more than 20 inquiries over two
days. As with egg donors, the firm tends to see more inquiries
during times of economic distress.
“Being
a gestational surrogate requires a very special type of person,”
said Robin von Halle, president of ARR. “Many of our surrogates,
for example, are in the health care field, which is all about
caring for others. Others are stay-at-home mothers who have their
families, but loved being pregnant. Getting paid to help others
create their families is a great bonus.”
She noted
that several variables dictate the surrogate’s compensation,
but average fees range nationally from $20,000 to $27,000. Among
other requirements: Women must be between 21 and 38, have given
birth to at least one child and have a non-complicated obstetrical
history.
“Typically, agencies like ours require the surrogate
to have health insurance to cover related costs,” said von Halle.
“In the current economic environment, we know many otherwise
great candidates have lost their health insurance. We will help
them get coverage if they otherwise qualify.”
Established in 1994, Chicago-based ARR was one of the first agencies
in the United States dedicated to locating and matching egg donors
(and, more recently gestational surrogates) with intended parents
from around the world. For further information, contact von Halle
at 773.327.7315, or info@arr1.com.
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