Having a family is a very important life goal for many people and couples. One man was so determined to become a father that he spent 10 years planning it and doing what was needed to raise enough money to start his family via surrogacy. The process can cost from $150,000 to $200,000 or more, and he changed careers, saved and cut costs, leveraged benefits in his workplace, asked his family for help, and applied for discounts on services, all to make his dream come true.

Jon, who didn’t want his last name used due to privacy concerns, lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area. His son’s name is Theo, and Jon says he has always wanted to be a father. He worked as a performer in the circus when he was young, and at nearly 30 years old he decided to make a big change with the goal of raising his income and saving for surrogacy.

He went back to school and got a job in the technology sector, knowing that could give him the stability and income growth opportunities he was looking for. When gay men like Jon want biological children, the path to creating a family isn’t always easy. Additionally, it’s often very expensive. Embryo creation, donor eggs, a gestational carrier, and other costs in the medical and legal realms can mean a long and frustrating process. However, it is worth it for those who are dedicated to having children of their own.

For 10 years, Jon saved as much as he could, and had saved around $80,000 by 2019, when he started the egg donor process. He thought he would be able to pair up with someone who would help cover the surrogacy costs, but that never happened. He also wasn’t originally offered fertility benefits through his work, but thankfully, that eventually changed.

Work reimbursed him $40,000 of the $170,000 total cost, and he’s grateful that the financial and tech sectors have been so good at providing fertility benefits that include parts of the surrogacy journey. While it was a struggle at times, Jon is now a father to the child he’s always wanted.

We aim to provide our clients with a straightforward breakdown of what might seem to be a complicated and daunting process so that they can enjoy the beautiful experience of bringing a child into the world through assisted reproduction. Contact us today to learn more!