A radiographer turned the death of her cousin into an opportunity to transform the life of a gay couple.

Elizabeth Quick, from Littlehampton, decided to donate her eggs after she lost her cousin to suicide.

Feeling as though her own family was complete, the 37-year-old looked for a way to help gay couples have a family like her, and with the help of Surrogacy UK she was able to give a couple the chance of a family. The couple, who only wanted to give their names Felix and Adam, live close to them. 

“My family was complete and after losing my cousin I began to re-evaluate what was important in life,” she said.

“I had my own beautiful children, and my eggs are going to waste every month. The question became why shouldn’t they be put to good use?

“There was a three-month getting to know period and then the clinic processes.

“We met Adam and Felix in July 2020, and my egg collection was in February 2021.

“The tests were delayed because of Covid but it was very special that Adam and Felix only lived ten minutes down the road.”

The egg donation process starts the same way as IVF.

Medication is taken which suppresses hormone production, giving the fertility specialist control over the process.

Once the specialist has ascertained that the natural cycle has slowed, hormone treatment is used to boost the production of eggs produced.

Hormone injections are then administered to help the eggs mature and ultrasound scans are performed every few days to monitor this.

Once fully matured, the eggs are collected under anaesthetic, taking up to 30 minutes to complete.

Mrs Quick, who works at Goring Hall Hospital in Worthing, said her family supported her decision.

“My husband was supportive, and my children think it's really cool there are “babies” in the freezer at the clinic,” she said.

“I felt very privileged to be a part of helping make someone a family.

“It is a nerve-racking process, but it is also exciting, and I can only image how nervous Felix and Adam were.

“I never had second thoughts once I started the process – especially now as their surrogate is due in March with their baby.”

Mrs Quick reflected on the process and the perceived stigma attached to egg donation.

“The stigma is usually around parents not telling their kids they are from donor eggs or even sperm,” she said.

“I think it's important to say that Surrogacy UK encourages all parents to be open and honest with their children as to where they come from.

“This avoids there being a difficult big announcement about it when they are older. 

“This is a stance I support. 

“All children have a right to know their origins and I will be in Adam and Felix’s life forever so their baby will grow up knowing me and my family.

“I think it’s important for them to know why we are in their lives, and I would like them to have a relationship with my kids too.”