Empowering Families: Highlights from Our Recent London and Dublin Events
Last weekend, Growing Families hosted two highly successful Surrogacy & Egg Donation Information Days—one in London and the other in Dublin. These events provided a unique opportunity for intended parents to hear from experts, connect with peers, and gain clarity on their family-building journeys. With a strong lineup of speakers and moving personal stories, both events left a lasting impact on attendees.
Highlights of our London Event
On Saturday, we kicked off our series with the London event, which brought together a diverse group of experts, surrogacy professionals, and intended parents. The day was filled with insightful sessions on surrogacy options in the UK, the USA, Canada, Georgia, and other international destinations.
Highlights included legal experts from Mishcon de Reya discussing key legal considerations in surrogacy, such as navigating citizenship and immigration processes, understanding parental orders, and addressing common challenges faced by international families. The atmosphere was one of learning and support, with many attendees leaving feeling more confident about their next steps.
Dean Masserman of Vorzimer Masserman also added some insights about the legal protections that make the US a leading destination for surrogacy, focusing on the crucial aspects of surrogacy contracts and the importance of legal representation.
Ali Al Chami, Deputy Director of CRGH, along with Embryologist Sameera Hayat provided valuable insights into the clinical pathway for egg donation and surrogacy, offering practical advice on assessing and improving egg and sperm quality, understanding the impact of age, and optimizing embryo development and selection.
Their session was particularly impactful for intended parents, as it provided crucial information on how to enhance their chances of a successful outcome and navigate the medical aspects of their surrogacy journey.
The event also featured engaging “Ask Me Anything” and Parent Panel sessions, where attendees were able to interact with a diverse panel of industry professionals and parents who have previously completed a surrogacy journey. These sessions provided a unique opportunity to hear real-life experiences and receive advice on surrogacy journeys.
One of the highlights of the day was the personal stories shared by parents who had successfully completed their family-building journey through surrogacy. Their candid experiences resonated deeply with the attendees, offering both inspiration and practical advice for those just starting their journey.
Highlights of our Dublin Event
On Sunday, we brought the same energy and expertise to Dublin, where our event once again provided a platform for learning, networking, and personal stories. The day was dedicated to exploring surrogacy and egg donation, with a focus on the specific needs and questions of the local audience.
Tracy Horan of Tracy Horan & Co. Solicitors kicked off our Dublin event with a critical discussion on the current landscape of surrogacy and donor IVF in Ireland. Understanding where we stand today is essential, especially with the upcoming changes in legislation.
Tracy provided valuable insights into the evolving legal environment surrounding altruistic versus commercial donor IVF and surrogacy. She explored the implications of Ireland’s new surrogacy laws for past, current, and future arrangements, including the establishment of the new Regulatory Authority, the process for pre-approving surrogacy arrangements, and the potential restrictions and penalties for non-compliance.
Her discussion underscored the importance of staying informed and prepared as these significant changes unfold. Later in the day, Tracy addressed how the new legislation impacts decision-making, focusing on what issues lawyers need to address and how to navigate the ‘Habitual Residency’ rules for surrogates. She also covered the challenges of acquiring travel documents, differences in timelines, common hold-ups, and who can assist with these processes.
Dr. Rahi Victory of Victory Reproductive Care focused on the critical aspects of assessing sperm and egg quality before IVF, including the impact of age and the importance of carrier screening. He covered key topics such as embryo development, blastocyst grading, Pre-Genetic-Aneuploidy Testing, and the selection process for transferring embryos. Dr. Rahi also offered guidance on choosing the right egg donor, helping attendees understand how these factors can influence the success of their fertility journey.
The event continued with a series of informative panels and interactive sessions. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on selecting a surrogacy destination, with experts from various agencies, providing insights into practices across different countries. We also featured personal experiences shared by recent Irish parents, who delved into their journeys and offered practical advice. Following this, our “Ask Me Anything” sessions provided direct access to experts on surrogacy in the USA, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada, addressing specific questions and concerns. Then a session focused on support networks, where we highlighted valuable resources such as education groups, professional referrals, and counselling services. Each session offered attendees crucial knowledge and practical support for their surrogacy journeys.
What a fantastic weekend! We’re incredibly proud that our community came together once again and brought such a bright light into others’ paths. To everyone involved, our speakers, organisers, the attendees, thank you for reaffirming that our mission to make complex family building easier for all is truly within reach.
If you weren’t able to join us, you missed a truly transformative experience that offered a wealth of knowledge and support. But don’t worry—you still have a chance to be part of our future events and catch up on what you missed. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage, learn, and connect with our community. For updates on upcoming events and to receive the latest resources, be sure to check out our events page or sign up for our newsletter. We can’t wait to welcome you next time and continue this incredible journey together!
