The Premiere of Joy

Last night, the London Sperm Bank team had the privilege of attending the London premiere of Joy, a film that beautifully captures the story behind the birth of the first baby born through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The premiere was not only a celebration of an extraordinary scientific breakthrough but also a powerful reminder of the dedication, innovation, and perseverance it took to change the future of fertility treatments forever.

Joy is more than just a film, it’s a tribute to the pioneering work of Sir Robert Edwards, embryologist Jean Purdy, and gynaecologist Dr Patrick Steptoe. These three visionaries worked tirelessly to overcome immense scientific, ethical, and technical challenges to create a process that has since brought hope and joy to millions of families worldwide.

Their work was groundbreaking but not without opposition. Facing scepticism from the scientific community and navigating complex ethical questions, Edwards, Purdy, and Steptoe persisted because they believed in the transformative power of their research. Their success in 1978, which resulted in the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, marked a turning point in reproductive medicine.

At London Sperm Bank, we are proud to continue the legacy of these IVF pioneers. Our mission is to provide high-quality donor sperm to fertility clinics across the UK, helping individuals and couples realise their dream of starting or growing their families.

With over 80% of the UK's licensed fertility clinics relying on our services, we are committed to offering diverse, screened, and traceable donor options that make family-building accessible to all. Just as the pioneers of IVF pushed the boundaries of possibility, we too are dedicated to expanding the options available to those on their fertility journeys.

Attending the premiere of Joy was a humbling experience for our team, as it reminded us of the incredible progress made in fertility science and the vital role we play in supporting families today. The story of IVF is a story of hope, resilience, and dedication, and we are inspired to continue this work with the same commitment and care.

We look forward to helping more families create their own “joy” through the gift of life and the incredible advancements in reproductive medicine that we are honoured to support.