Our Process: How Embryo Donation Works Through Rejoice Embryo Rescue
If you’ve completed your family and have frozen embryos remaining, you may be wondering what to do with them. For many families, embryo donation is a deeply meaningful answer — giving another couple the chance to experience the joy of parenthood while honoring the lives already created. At Rejoice Embryo Rescue, LLC, we’ve built a process that is compassionate, transparent, and guided by the belief that every embryo deserves a chance.
Here’s an honest, step-by-step look at what the journey looks like when you choose to donate with us.
We accept all embryos
One of the most important things to know upfront: Rejoice accepts embryos regardless of how they were frozen, the type of storage device, medical history, age, or embryo quality. The only embryos we are unable to accept are PGT-tested abnormal embryos — unless a recipient is already willing to accept them. Low-mosaic embryos are considered on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to find every embryo a home, and wherever possible, we work to keep sibling embryos together by placing entire sets with a single adopting family.
Step 1: Donor screening
To comply with FDA requirements, donors complete a series of forms and a review of medical screening tests — most of which were likely already performed during your original IVF cycle. We’ll also request relevant records from your fertility clinic. Optional blood tests are part of the process, though declining them will not affect your ability to donate. Throughout this step, you’ll have access to counseling and support as you work through this significant decision.
Step 2: Shipping and storage
Once screening is complete, Rejoice coordinates the shipping of your embryos to Rejoice IVF Lab, LLC in Knoxville using Cryoport, or a similar trusted carrier. There is no cost to you (the donor) for shipping or storage. Upon arrival, every device is verified against inventory to ensure accurate tracking. Our lab features dual-tank 24/7 temperature monitoring, thermal video surveillance via CryoSentinel, and manual liquid nitrogen checks three times per week by our embryologists. All alarms go directly to the personal cell phones of five lab staff members, ensuring round-the-clock coverage every day of the year.
Rejoice IVF Lab is Knoxville’s first accredited IVF lab, earning Joint Commission accreditation every year since 2021 — and our own Dr. Gordon and Head Embryologist Sarah Atkinson hold the privilege of thawing and transferring the Guinness World Record-breaking oldest embryos ever to achieve a pregnancy: frozen for nearly 31 years.
Step 3: Matching with an adopting family
Your embryos are entered into our donor database, which is searchable by our affiliated faith-based adoption agencies:
- Snowflakes (Nightlife Christian Adoptions)
- Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park
- Flourish Adoption Ministries
- Embryos Alive
- Lauren Wilson, LMSW of Flourish Consulting Services
You determine your level of contact. If you prefer a closed/non-identified adoption, your role is complete once all forms are signed, and you have been approved as a donor. If you choose open or semi-open adoption, an affiliated agency will reach out for your approval once a match is found, and legal contracts will specify the agreed-upon contact arrangements. We currently have recipient families waiting, so your embryos are likely to be matched quickly.
Step 4: Embryo transfer
Adopting couples are warmly invited to travel to Knoxville for their frozen embryo transfer — we are proud to have some of the highest donor embryo pregnancy rates in the country. All embryos are double-checked by two lab staff members before thawing, and the performing physician also verifies identification before any transfer takes place. That said, no recipient is ever required to come to Knoxville. If the adopting family prefers to transfer elsewhere, embryos can be shipped to any accredited IVF laboratory. Our mission is about the lives of the embryos — and getting them into loving families.
Your decision matters
Choosing to donate your embryos is one of the most generous decisions a family can make. It’s also a deeply personal one — and there is no single right path. Whether you want a fully closed (formerly anonymous) process or an open relationship with the adopting family, Rejoice and our partner agencies will honor your wishes every step of the way.
If you choose to donate your embryos to Rejoice Embryo Rescue, we will handle them with the utmost care, skill, and respect. We would be honored to walk alongside you as you give this incredible gift to another family.