My Journey with Global Egg Donors: From First Donor to Lead Coordinator (and everything in between)

Hi! I’m Karen Mossmer, Lead Donor Coordinator at Global Egg Donors. But my connection to this program goes way beyond my job title. I was actually the very first egg donor when the program was still called Renew and I’ve pretty much been hanging around ever since.

My journey started in the most random way: I picked up a free magazine while on the London Tube (as one does), and there was an article about egg donation. It instantly sparked something in me. A few years later, while I was at university, I saw an ad for egg donation again  and this time, it just clicked. I felt curious, connected, and had this strong urge to help someone else.

What I remember most about my first donation (other than the giant needles we used back then) was how much I learned. I didn’t study biology in high school, so suddenly diving into hormone cycles, follicles, and injections was both fascinating and slightly overwhelming. But honestly, I was amazed by my own body and proud of what it could do.

Also, shoutout to my boyfriend at the time, who nearly fainted when he had to give me an injection.

Early on, I met Robin Newman, our director and the unstoppable force behind this whole operation. We clicked right away. Her energy, passion, and complete lack of fear in doing bold things really stuck with me. After my donation, she asked if I’d be open to speaking to a journalist and soon after, if I wanted to help spread the word about egg donation. That turned into part-time work while I was studying, and eventually into a full-time role supporting donors all over the world.

Back in the day, the program was called Renew, named by Robin, as a sort of acronym for her own name (Robin Elizabeth Newman), but also because it marked a new chapter for her, and for the families we were helping. Since then, the name may have changed, but the heart of the program hasn’t. We’ve always focused on making this journey rewarding, safe, and deeply supportive for both donors and intended parents.

We’ve come a long way. We've been on the front page of local South African newspapers, spoken at fertility shows in London and Australia, and grown through some wild timesincluding, yes, the COVID rollercoaster. It was tough, but it made us even more adaptable and connected.

I always joke that we tend to go the extra mile, and then just keep going. We really do try to make every journey as smooth as possible. Whether it’s helping a donor figure out how to inject medication at 10 p.m. in a hotel room, or calming nerves before a first clinic visit, we are there.

Working with Robin all these years has been... let’s call it beautifully complicated (in the best way). We sometimes joke that we’re like an old married couple — we know each other’s strengths, quirks, and triggers way too well. But honestly, her steady belief in this program, and “let’s figure it out” attitude are a big reason why we’ve made it through the hard times.

When I donated, the process involved giant intramuscular injections that felt straight out of a cartoon. Nowadays? Tiny, subcutaneous injections that most donors barely notice. The medication protocols are safer, the clinics are more advanced, and recovery is much quicker.

And egg donation itself isn’t nearly as taboo anymore. People actually talk about it now. Most know someone who’s donated or received and that openness is such a win.

Here’s the thing: the most powerful part of egg donation isn’t the physical process. It’s the emotional one. Helping someone on such an intimate level shifts something inside you. It brings self-awareness, compassion, and this overwhelming sense of purpose. In a world where we often rush past each other, egg donation is a reminder of how much hope one person can give another.

I work with the most patient, funny, and wildly capable team of women, the kind of people who can still laugh through a tech glitch. Some were donors themselves, others are just all-round amazing women who somehow make spreadsheets, scheduling and problem solving fun!

I’ve been part of Global Egg Donors from the very start, and somehow, it still surprises me. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, a new donor, new country, or new challenge reminds me this work is alive and always changing.

I feel lucky every day to speak with and support smart, kind, funny women from all over the world who want to make a difference. They’re generous. They’re bold. And I get to support them every step of the way.

Thanks for reading my story, and for being part of this ever-growing, ever-evolving, and ever-heartfelt journey.