The Birth of the Donor Sibling Registry

In this powerful, first-time full release of our conversation with Wendy Kramer, co-founder of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR), we explore the deeply personal and transformational story behind one of the most influential voices in the donor conception world. Originally thought to be partially lost due to a damaged audio file, this complete conversation captures every twist, turn, and truth.

The Birth of the Donor Sibling Registry

Wendy shares how her journey began in 1990 when her son Ryan was born via an anonymous sperm donor. What started as a personal experience quickly evolved into a mission to help other donor-conceived individuals and families find answers, medical information, and—most importantly—connection.

We talk candidly about:

How Wendy’s young son sparked a life-altering conversation at age two

The early challenges of seeking information in a pre-DNA testing world

Ryan becoming the first known donor-conceived person to identify his biological father through DNA testing

The emotional, profound first meeting between Ryan and his biological father

The ever-growing half-sibling group—now 28 and counting—and how they’ve built relationships

The founding of the Donor Sibling Registry and how it’s connected nearly 25,000 people

The unethical practices of sperm banks and the lack of industry accountability

The emotional toll of secrets, shame, and what happens when families choose fear over truth

Powerful parallels between donor conception and Kendall’s own adoption journey

Plus: You’ll hear about how Ryan’s story continues to impact new donor-conceived individuals as they discover unexpected half-siblings—and how Wendy has built a “soft landing” for them in a world still catching up to the reality of DNA, identity, and truth.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by donor conception, adoption, or family secrets—and for anyone seeking to better understand the emotional power of being known.