Egg Donor Profiles: How to Write Your Pen Picture

After you've donated your eggs, you will be asked to produce a 'pen picture'. We ask that you consider it a portrait containing the basics of what makes you unique and your well-wishes for any child born from your donation. Writing your egg donor pen picture is often one of the most intimate parts of the egg donation process. Our donors often spend a lot of time and effort ensuring they're perfect, as it's when you get to tell someone who needs an egg donor why you might just be their ideal choice, in your own words. 

What about donor anonymity?

There are lots of things you can put in your pen picture – but there are also lots of things you can't. Maintaining anonymity is vital between egg donor and recipient, so you can't include anything that could potentially make you identifiable, such as specific details about where you work or currently live. 

Pen pictures are a really vital part of your egg donor profile. We can't show patients photographs of you due to donor anonymity laws. The pen picture is the only part of you an egg donor recipient gets to see when choosing their donor eggs, so it's the only way to give someone a good idea of who you are. 

When writing your pen picture, think about what's important to someone who needs an egg donor. Your profile already has the basics about you. So your pen picture is where your personality and individuality really shine through. You might want to write about the following: 

• What type of person are you
• Your outlook on life
• What study you've done or the career path you chose, and why
• What makes you happy
• What your hobbies and interests are - such as what music, television or films you like
• About your family – do you have any children, siblings, pets
• Why did you decide to be an egg donor - what motivated you to want to help someone have a child?
• What do you hope for the person using your eggs
• A goodwill message to any child that's born

We'll use your pen picture and your profile to help us match you to a recipient patient. We also help where we can, using our own personal insight as we get to know you all well. If you're ever unsure what to include in your pen picture, our dedicated Egg Donation team can guide you and offer help writing your pen picture if you need help with what to say.

If you've any questions about the egg donor process or egg donation, talk to our friendly team at 0161 300 2734. We're always happy to help. Or begin the egg donor process today using our online application service.