Why TASC is offering Classified Advertising on Our Site.

It's simple... In 1991, my husband and I decided to find a compassionate surrogate who would be willing to carry our embryo. To look for this most special person, I used the best source for advertising I knew of at the time. . . the daily newspaper in our city. I wrote my 28-word ad and ran it for 10 days. We were thrilled to receive over 60 calls from women who were willing to help us achieve our dream of having our own biological family. On the 6th day, we found the woman who became our surrogate and the rest is history. Our two sons were born 16 months apart by the same woman who has become almost like a sister to me, and for whom I have the utmost gratitude and respect.

When I ran my short ad in that one newspaper, it cost $180.00. Keep in mind that this was in 1991, and advertising rates have risen steeply since then. The cost to advertise was expensive, but obviously priceless in what it helped us accomplish. But now, years later, this same newspaper refuses to accept any surrogacy ads from prospective parents, regardless of how much people are willing to pay. Why? Several large adoption agencies have pressured the newspaper to stop accepting surrogacy ads, citing law which clearly does not apply. Surrogacy, it seems is not so much a moral issue, as it is an economic issue for adoption proponents.

Therefore, as the President of The American Surrogacy Center, Inc., I am pleased to offer you the same opportunity that I had. . .a forum for advertising for an independent surrogacy arrangement, or to assist you and your agency/lawyer in locating candidates who may be screened as potential surrogates or egg donors for you. We at TASC offer you a world-wide forum in which to make your surrogacy connections. Our format offers not just a few short lines, but a 250 word profile in which you can tell your story. And the cost is less than you might imagine....IT’s FREE! One month's advertising cost for my 28-word ad would now cost me $540.00 just in my city alone! TASC Classifieds is FREE and it seen by people worldwide. We offer this unique forum to help you in your search for third-party reproduction options as an invaluable resource.

That said, independent surrogacy is not for everyone. It requires lots of homework, coordination and much added responsibility on each participant's part. Pursuing surrogacy independently does however, insure that couples who choose not to utilize the services of a full-service agency -- for whatever reason -- still have the opportunity for surrogacy as a family-building option. Use TASC Classifieds to help "get the ball rolling" to locate candidates who are interested in helping you.

Surrogacy should only be entered into with the understanding that all the screening, emotional support, medical, legal, and communication guidelines are in place and handled by professionals trained in their specific field whether it is done independently of with the help of an agency. In fact, many surrogacy agencies offer services which may be purchased on an "a la carte" basis for couples who already have located their surrogates. These services may include but are not limited to: screening and psychological evaluation of all parties, medical screening, background checks, legal services for contracts and birth certificate issuance procedures, etc. Or, you may seek to locate and hire each of the above disciplines independently, assembling your own surrogacy team to assist you with the process. In any event, assure yourself that you are in compliance with the applicable laws in the state and country where you implement your arrangement.

If you chose this "road less traveled" of surrogacy, please seek guidance and support from experts who can make this a happy and successful experience for all.

Joan Barnes, President of TASC
Mother of two children born through gestational surrogacy via independent arrangement