When Sarah faced the devastating news that her rare ovarian cancer had left her unable to conceive, she thought her aspirations of becoming a parent were lost forever. However, the generosity of an egg donor brought new light to her and her partner, Mark, as they joyfully welcomed baby Emma into the world.
Sarah’s Journey
In 2014, Project Coordinator Sarah was diagnosed with an unusual form of ovarian cancer after doctors discovered a cyst the size of a rugby ball on her ovary. Despite removing the cyst, a year later, the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. Given a bleak 5-10% chance of survival, she underwent rigorous treatments: six weeks of chemotherapy, major surgery, and additional chemotherapy sessions that included a stem cell transplant.
At just 27, Sarah had always envisioned having children, but the urgency of her medical treatment made it impossible to freeze her eggs for future use. “My doctors insisted we begin chemotherapy immediately, and delaying treatment to focus on egg preservation wasn’t an option,” she recalls.
The reality of her diagnosis weighed heavily on her, especially since she dreamed of having multiple children. “If I didn’t survive, I wouldn’t have kids at all, so I had to set aside my worries about fertility.”
“Everyone Thought I’d Quickly Enter Menopause.”
After completing her cancer treatment in 2016, Sarah miraculously remained cancer-free. Yet, she faced the emotional turmoil of losing her fertility. Regular ultrasounds provided mixed signals about her egg viability, leading to a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. “At one point, doctors believed I might still have some immature eggs, only for them to later tell me my ovaries were completely non-functional.”
Eventually, she began hormone replacement therapy to manage menopausal symptoms, which served as a stark reminder of her lost chance at conceiving a biological child. “I had to mourn the idea of not having a genetic child.”
As her friends began to have families of their own, Sarah struggled with the idea of alternative paths to motherhood. “I hadn’t fully processed my inability to conceive naturally, leading me to dismiss other options.”
Dating after cancer also posed its challenges, further complicating her willingness to explore different avenues for starting a family. “I always worried that my cancer could return. Having gone through menopause made it even tougher to share my situation with potential partners. I thought that since I couldn’t have kids, no one would want to be with me.”
“The Older I Got, the More I Realized I Couldn’t Ignore It.”
In 2019, Sarah met Mark, a Business Development Executive, on a dating app. Their relationship blossomed, and the conversation about children came up early on. “Mark was open to the idea of egg donation, even though he didn’t fully understand the implications at first.” Sarah, realizing her desire to be a mother, began researching egg donation online, finding stories of others who had undergone similar experiences.
“I came across some inspiring accounts of women who faced fertility challenges for various reasons, including cancer. It became clear to me that motherhood isn’t solely about genetics; I would carry and nurture the baby, making it my own regardless of the biological connection.”
Feeling more confident about using an egg donor to build their family, Sarah approached her doctor to discuss options. Unfortunately, due to her age, she no longer qualified for NHS funding, but her physician encouraged her to apply under exceptional circumstances because of her medical history.
“I Was on Autopilot Until We Started Discussing Donor Characteristics.”
In 2024, Sarah and Mark were granted NHS funding for one round of IVF. They were referred to TFP Fertility, where they began the process of matching with an egg donor. “The matching process was quite emotional for me,” Sarah admits. “I often found myself emailing the team for updates.”
After some time, a suitable match was found, and Sarah felt reassured knowing the donor’s traits aligned closely with hers. “Stacey, the donor coordinator, had met her personally, and while she couldn’t reveal too much, it was comforting to know that there was a real person behind the donation.”
“I Still Don’t Know Which Eggs Were Used.”
With the donor’s assistance, Sarah and Mark received 15 eggs, which were frozen while Sarah prepared for the transfer. “Initially, my body didn’t respond as expected, leading to delays in the transfer process. It was nerve-wracking!”
Eventually, they proceeded with the transfer of two embryos, one of which was of excellent quality. “I couldn’t wait for the official test date,” Sarah recalls, laughing. “I ended up buying a pregnancy test during a grocery run. When it came back positive, I was in disbelief and tested every day until the clinic’s official test!”
After years of uncertainty and accepting the possibility of never becoming a parent, Sarah and Mark welcomed their daughter Emma in June 2025. “It’s been an emotional journey, but we’re so grateful for the chance to become parents,” she shares. “I’ll always be open with Emma about her story so she knows how incredibly loved and wanted she was.”
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In summary, Sarah’s path to motherhood was marked by resilience and the kindness of an egg donor, ultimately leading to the joyful arrival of her daughter Emma.