'Anonymous Us Project' - first story-collective for people involved in reproductive technologies

Currently, there is a shortage of stories from social, non-biological fathers and mothers as well as fertility industry professionals. Perspectives from these two groups are vital in constructing the giant mosaic of truth the project aims to build.

Learn more, visit The Anonymous Us Project

(New York, NY) - The Anonymous Us Project invites anyone involved in reproductive technologies--and especially persons born via these practices--to write about their experiences and opinions anonymously at www.AnonymousUs.org. And now the project is celebrating its first birthday.

In the US, it is estimated that every year 30,000-60,000 children are born through the use of sperm donation, and still more through egg donation, surrogacy, and embryo donation. While the fertility industry makes $3.3 billion annually, little is known about the experiences of these children and what kind of adults they grow up to be.

The Anonymous Us Project aims to be a safety zone for open and honest opinions about reproductive technologies and family fragmentation. The mission of Anonymous Us is "to share the experiences of participants in these technologies, while preserving the dignity and privacy of the story-tellers and their loved ones."

Alana S., a 25-year-old woman from San Francisco, herself donor-conceived and a former egg donor, founded the site as a “tool for better decision-making so that parents and policy-makers aren’t relying solely on biased endorsements from clinics and vendors.” Alana recognizes that many donor-conceived adults may wish to improve practices and policies, but fear publicity or being perceived as betraying their families. They may have family secrets. “Many of us want to speak about our pain, but we don’t want our faces on camera or to hurt our parents.

If you are donor-conceived, a former or current sperm or egg vendor, a surrogate, parent, adoptee, fertility industry professional, or just someone concerned with these practices, you are welcome to submit a story or share your opinion at www.AnonymousUs.org. Select stories are read aloud on the podcast: AnonymousUs.org/podcasts. Some story excerpts include:

"I cannot tell you the closure and peace that came from just meeting him."

"I am a gay man. And being gay, having accepted myself as such in the past 3 years, I have absolutely not come to accept being possibly robbed of the biggest gift of life, by design: a family, in particularly made up with my own produced children."

"Don't think as a parent I don't worry or realize what I have done. I have brought my very much wanted and loved daughter into the world not knowing who her father is, and that will be frustrating for her."

Currently, there is a shortage of stories from social, non-biological fathers and mothers as well as fertility industry professionals. Perspectives from these two groups are vital in constructing the giant mosaic of truth the project aims to build. If you or someone you know has played either of these roles, we welcome you to share your experiences.

About The Anonymous Us Project & Alana S. :

The Anonymous Us Project was founded by Alana S., a writer and musician from San Francisco concerned with gender and family issues. She co-wrote the upcoming feature-length film Adam & Eva with filmmaker Michael Galinsky of Rumur Productions, a story about a girl who sells her own eggs to investigate her ancestry and the identity of her sperm donor father. Recently Alana has been featured in the documentary Anonymous Father's Day by the Center for BioEthics and Culture Network. Alana S. currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.