We’re so excited to share something special with our Coast to Coast family. Our founder, Kaitlin Pinkerton-Locher, recently joined Leslie Lopez on the Mothers In Arms podcast for a conversation that gets right to the heart of what we do and why we do it. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, thinking about becoming a donor, or simply curious about the world of assisted reproduction, this one’s for you.
A Story That Started It All
Kaitlin’s connection to this work isn’t just professional, it’s personal in the deepest way. She’s the third person ever born through gestational surrogacy, and she grew up surrounded by the science, the love, and the possibility of assisted reproductive technology (ART). That legacy of care and openness, first shaped by her parents, is the foundation everything at Coast to Coast Sperm Donation, and A Perfect Match, the egg donation and surrogacy agency started her mom and Co-founder, Darlene, is built on.
Why We Believe in Openness
At Coast to Coast, we believe in ethical sperm donation. One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Kaitlin’s own experience being raised to understand and celebrate her origins. Her parents used honest, age-appropriate language from the time she was a toddler, and because of that, her story has always simply been her story, something to be proud of, never something to hide.
That’s exactly how we approach donor conception. We believe every donor-conceived child deserves access to their story. Instead of making promises about anonymity that DNA testing can’t keep, we help our donors think ahead with warmth and honesty about future contact, and we insist that every donor commits to ID-Release at a bare minimum.
What Makes Coast to Coast Feel Different
In the episode, Kaitlin shares the values that guide us every day.
We cap donations at six families worldwide. Many sperm banks allow far more, but we believe this limit protects donor-conceived children and honors the families we serve.
Everyone gets legal support. Unlike most sperm banks, we make sure our sperm donors have their own independent legal counsel, not just intended parents. Because everyone in this journey deserves to feel protected and informed.
We stay connected. We ask our donors to keep us updated on their health and lives, so the families we’ve helped always have the most current information when they need it.
We’re proud to be licensed in Colorado, a state whose thoughtful laws around donor-conceived rights reflect the same values we’ve held since day one. We’re also licensed in New York and California, and other states requiring licensing.
Every Donation Is Intentional
Kaitlin also talks about the difference between directed and banked donations, and something we hold close: we never see a donation as just a transaction. Every match is about people, connection, and building families with care.
Listen In
The full conversation covers even more, from donor compensation to the importance of mental health support for everyone on this path. It’s honest, warm, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime in this field.
Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and listen below.
If Kaitlin’s words resonate with you, we’d love to hear from you.
Wherever you are on your journey, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Reach out to the Coast to Coast team anytime – we can’t wait to meet you.
