After cancer treatment for testicular cancer left him infertile a Hertfordshire man has now become the proud father to his son Charlie by using his sperm frozen before undergoing cancer treatment.
Marc Brennan, 37, of The Finches, was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer in April 2006 after affected cells were found in his chest.
He was told he had 10 months to live.
Marc was advised to store his sperm in case chemotherapy left him unable to start a family with partner Jenny Edis, 35.
Six years on, the couple are loving parents to 8-month-old Charlie.
Marc said: “It’s definitely the right thing to do.
"It’s not certain that chemotherapy will leave you infertile but there’s a good chance it might.”
When the roofer began his treatment, the couple had been together for five years and had no immediate plans to have children.
Management accountant Jenny said: “We were told that the quality of the sperm in Marc’s first sample was quite poor but I remember that Marc didn’t really want to go back to provide another.
“I think we were both just focussing on the short-term and storing sperm didn’t seem hugely important.
“Thankfully, Marc did go back.
"We might not have been so fortunate if he hadn’t.”
In September 2006, Marc was given the all-clear.
Three years later, the couple began looking into having a family.
In December 2010, Jenny’s eggs were collected and sperm was injected into each one before they were transferred into her womb.
Jenny discovered she was pregnant on New Year’s Day last year and Charlie was born on August 18.
To other young men awaiting chemotherapy, Marc said: “They can store sperm for such a long time.
“Even if children are the last thing on your mind, later in life your frozen sample might be the only chance you have of becoming a dad.
“We are so grateful to everyone involved.
"It was a difficult journey but now we have Charlie and we couldn’t be happier.”
The couple spoke out to mark Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week, which ended on Sunday (April 29).
Source: Hertfordshire Mercury, Sara Greek, 03.05.12