We select our donors mainly originally from
Greece and Eastern European countires, as i.e. Poland and Ukraine, usually in their twenties and often with
young children of their own. Our darker haired Greek donors tend to be a
good match for our Italian and even Asian patients, but our blonde,
blue eyed donors often give an excellent match for our German and Scandinavian
recipients. So we can match almost all Caucasian colourings.
All donors are screened
for infections and hereditary diseases and their family medical history
is reviewed before they are accepted. They are regularly tested for
Syphilis, HIV-1, HIV-2, Hepatitis B & C, gonorrhea, herpes and any
other sexually transmitted disease. They have never used intravenous
drugs except during medical treatment. We screen for many genetic and
infectious diseases, including sickle cell, thalassemias, Chlamydia
karyotype, cystic fibrosis (75% of the genes – the remaining risk is
0,6%, namely 1/166), haemoglobinopathies and whatever the clinic
considers will be beneficial in the specific case.
Donors are recruited only by word of mouth (advertising for donors is not legal in Greece), so donors tend to be friends of previous donors who become familiar with the process whilst their friend is donating. We are very careful about which donors can be accepted on to the program, and we try to attract donors who will have a long term relationship with the clinic. They know that they help other people fulfill their dream for a child and they are aware of how sacred this purpose is.
We don’t accept donations from women who in severe financial difficulties or under other severe stresses as we feel it would not be a true donation and could be psychologically harmful to the donor in later years if she regretted a donation she made under duress.
"The attention to detail and love they show, wanting the best for you, is outstanding"
"After 7 years of IVF failed attempts in Australia, we were recommended to look into Dr. Nikos and his team at Embryoland.
Wow, if only we knew about Embryoland 7 years ago, I would have an army of kids now.
We rang Dr. Nikos, and within 30 minutes, he called us back through FaceTime, and we were greeted with the most warm smiling face and caring nature. We were shocked; you don’t get that service in Australia, well not with our previous doctor! Dr. Nikos felt like an uncle to us; we felt very comfortable, and within a few months, we were on our way to Athens. Dr. Nikos organized everything you need, medication to take prior, accommodation when we landed, and also a driver to pick us up from the airport. The clinic is beautiful; I loved looking at all the babies on the wall; it gave me hope my baby could be next.
Dr. Nikos and his amazing team at Embryoland go above and beyond to do everything they can to get you pregnant. The attention to detail and love they show, wanting the best for you, is outstanding. I felt so comfortable and looked after; I would leave the clinic and feel so relaxed and taken care of. It really helped with the whole procedure. Mind you, you're not on 50,000 medications; it’s quite simple and minimal, which made it even less stressful. Every day I would meet so many wonderful women in the same boat as I was, and they were all walking out pregnant; this doctor's success rates are through the roof. Finally, it was my day to go in and get the results, and I couldn’t believe it; I was pregnant. 18 out baby, no complications, and it’s a boy! I will be forever grateful to Dr. Nikos and the Team at Embryoland. We love you guys and can’t wait to come back to have another baby.
Fiona & James, Australia, 28 Aug 2023
I had IVF treatment with donor egg and donor sperm at Embryoland in November 2021 and I could not have been happier. After years of unsuccessful IVF cycles, I fell pregnant on the first try at Embryoland and now I have a beautiful 4 month old daughter! Dr Nikos Kanakas and his staff are fantastic! I felt welcomed and cared for from my first interaction with them. They are very professional and very caring. They really go above and beyond for you and you feel like part of their family. Dr Nikos is amazing! He regularly communicated with me personally and even introduced me to other people in the waiting room! It is a very friendly environment. I can’t recommend Embryoland highly enough. Don’t hesitate to contact them. You will be so glad you did!
Emma Authers - Australia
16.11.2021
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, I took a leap of faith and went to Embryoland from Australia in the hopes of falling pregnant. Dr Kanakas is unlike any fertility doctor I'd met before. He is kind, very capable and takes a genuine approach with his patients. And the staff there are exceptional. If you are thinking of undergoing fertility treatment overseas, DO NOT go anywhere else. I cannot speak more highly of Dr Kanakas, the scientists and the nursing staff at Embryoland.
Anita Colak, Australia, 30.11.2021
"He is such an amazing doctor with the kindest heart. I have never met a doctor that cares as much as him. I had 2 failed IVF transfers in Texas so I decided to go oversees and came across Dr. Nikos. My first impression of him was "WOW, this Doctor just called me at 10 pm his time to talk to me" and the next 3 days we booked a flight to Athens. We did a retrieval and embryo transfer with him and it was the best experience. When we found out we were pregnant, he was so excited for us and it seemed like a miracle. He still keeps in touch with me and checks my progress. I am so happy and wanted to write this review bc I know the struggle of not being able to conceive and the exhausting process and costs were draining. I am even open to talking to anyone about my experience- that is how happy I am with Embryoland."
Sheila Arianpour 31.01.2022
"Highly recommend Dr. Nikos and his team at Embryoland. After 10 failed attempts in Australia and too much money lost I made my way to Athens to see Dr. Nikos and his team.
I never once fell pregnant during my treatment in Australia. One treatment at Embryoland and I’m now just over 8 weeks pregnant. Definitely worth the trip, even during COVID. Thank you Embryoland."
Anna from Australia, 21.02.2022
""Thank you Dr Kanakas and all the staff of embryoland"
"Will not hesitate to recommend Dr Kanakas"
"Dr Kanakas thank you for making our dreams come true. Thank you for being so attentive and caring. Dr Kanakas was always there for us and very supportive. He is not only a good doctor but also a very kind person. We have no idea when this man sleeps. We turned to the wonderful Dr. Kanakas after many rounds of failed IVF in the UK and in another clinic in Greece. Dr Kanakas clinic came to us as a gift from Allah (swt) while walking back to our hotel we came across this clinic. Phoned the clinic when back in the hotel and we was put thorough to Dr Kanakas and invited in for a formal chat. We now have been gifted with a lovely baby boy from Allah (swt) with the help of Dr Kanakas after years of trying. Dr Kanakas was positive all the way thorough and kept in touch day and night. Our baby is such an amazing gift, No words can express how thankful we are for your kindness and hard work.
Excellent 5 star service from Dr Kanakas and his team. They work as a team from the receptionist to the nurses to the embryologists.
Thank You…
A & B - England, 16.01.2022
Catherine from Australia, 09.02.2022:
I am forever grateful to Dr Nikos and his amazing team at Embryoland! From the very first Skype call with Dr Nikos he put my mind at ease with his caring and compassionate nature. After years of struggling to fall pregnant and multiple cycles of IVF, we flew from Melbourne Australia and thanks to Embryoland we have a beautiful daughter!
Dr Nikos genuinely cares for his patients and his goal is to help you have a family of your own. He is always available for you and his staff are friendly and experts in their field. I highly recommend Dr Nikos and would travel to the other side of the world again for his expertise!
"If only we had been introduced to Dr Nikos and his team a few years earlier. We would not have even tried treatment in Melbourne.
After our 8th failed attempt in Melbourne and many, many, many wasted dollars later as you could well imagine, we had all but given up hope, then we met Dr Nikos and first try in Athens presto, pregnant!
What a wonderful man and Dr. He has a great support team as well. Dr Nikos even put up with our million questions and emails. You have nothing to lose. See Dr Nikos and you will feel like a person not a number. You will be impressed by the professional care and well as human empathy and encouragement.
Word of advice, go for your treatment and stay for a couple of weeks holiday to avoid the stress of the 2 week wait. You might just get a wonderful surprise when you do your blood test back home afterwards..
Thanks Dr Nikos and team. God was thinking of us when we came across your name and clinic...
Wow!!!!"
A.M. Melbourne, Australia, 23.01.2022
"We went to Dr Nikos and his team for egg donor IVF and I cannot speak highly enough about Dr Nikos, Irene, Maria and all the staff at Embryoland! From out first consultation on Skype from Australia with Dr Nikos to the day I arrived in Athens and came to the clinic for my face to face consult to the transfer to the result being that we are 2 weeks pregnant!!!! :-)
The care, the professionalism and the genuine concern for their patients is not only superb excellent service but above any other clinic you will encounter. It is such a huge decision on which clinic to chose especially when you live as far as we do in Australia and after many discussions and doctors in Australia promising the world but really only interested in their own success rates looking at you as a number not human beings that have a desire to become parents you really need to look no further than Embryoland to make your dreams come true too! Dr Nikos Kanakas and all his team at Embryland are truly god sent and do genuinely love their jobs and do genuinely care about you.
I cannot speak highly enough of such a truly wonderful clinic and will always be eternally grateful to my partner who found Dr Nikos Kanakas and made the initial contact after two years of complete disappointment with broken promises from other IVF doctors back home. My only disappointment now is that Dr Nikos and his team won't be back in Australia with me to see the progress of my pregnancy and deliver our little miracle (or miracles) :-) WITH ALL MY HEART THANK YOU DR NIKOS AND THANK YOU EMBRYOLAND WITHOUT YOU I WOULD NOT BE PREGNANT YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Completely superb experience, would not recommend any other clinic than Embryoland!"
Dimitra and Michael, Australia, 07. November 2019
If you were to ask me if I have any regrets, or if I would like to have done something differently, the answer is yes! I would have gone straight to Embryoland 6 years ago when we first realized we were having problems getting pregnant. And if he HAD gone to Greece 6 years ago, our daughter would probably be 5 year old already! and we would have saved ourselves over 30,000 Euros that we wasted on gynecologists and their "treatments" in Cyprus.
So, in a nutshell, if you can supply Dr. Kanakas with some sperm and an ova, he'll probably secure you a baby in return! But hey, even if you CAN'T supply him with the stuff he needs, go visit him anyway. He's a true miracle-maker!
May God bless you Dr. Kanaka, and keep you and your family safe at all times!
Michael & Chrysanthi, Cyprus "
I can now celebrate as I am 3 months pregnant!
After 5 failed fertility treatments in Australia I found Dr Nikos through this website!I was initially struck by his genuine desire to help us get pregnant. Dr Nikos listened to our needs and wishes and never once made the process too hard or difficult. No time was wasted and I was scheduled to be in Athens within 1-2 months. I can now celebrate as I am 3 months pregnant and so very happy.
The clinic staff are very friendly and always willing to help. They all speak English which made things very simple. The clinic is very close to metro stations and accommodation which makes it very easy to get around and explore Athens. The whole experience was so relaxed as I was able to enjoy the city. We are eternally grateful to Dr Nikos and his staff.
Megan, Australia, 15.1.2020
Currently 11 weeks pregnant with our little miracle.
We went to Embryoland in Athens for a donor egg ivf cycle. After trying to conceive with my own eggs for 5 years we were advised to go down the donor egg route. I had to take drugs to prepare my womb lining for the embryo transfer and drugs to stop my period coming prior to transfer. All drugs prescribed by Dr Kanakas.We had the best experience we could have hoped for with Embryoland! Very professional, caring and friendly, the team were amazing.
We felt so at ease and welcome even though we had travelled thousands of miles from home. We dealt with Dr Nikos Kanakas directly and he was only ever a phonecall away. Such a lovely man - he genuinely cares about you as an individual and you're not treated as just abother case (as we have been in the past). Everything was planned out prior to us leaving Aus and he kept in regular weekly Skype contact to check in on how things were going in preparation for the embryo transfer. It can be a minefield and very daunting looking into overseas egg donation without the help of an FS, but i promise you will have a great experience if you pick Embryoland. Currently 11 weeks pregnant with our little miracle and would happily go back to Embryoland should we like another bub one day :)
Laiylabelle Smith - Australia, 06.01.2020
I am not one for technology and docs , I had tried for a few years the most simple, at home, natural ways I could. Deciding to not waste time further (being 44) and go for ART was a big stretch for me. Meeting Dr.Kanakas in Athens, even before I was sure I wanted to go that route, is the reason I was able to rest into it. I felt held, supported and above all - utterly respected. I could, for the first time, just surrender my treatment into the hands of an expert - and I am picky! :-)
The clinic is: completely professional yet warm, like a little community. kindness always. available 24-7 (so so rare!). Completely on top of things. Conveniently located. The "family" that created my babies ! :-))"
We are now the proud and deliriously happy parents of a beautiful baby boy"
We turned to the wonderful Dr. Nikos after 2 miscarriages and 3 rounds of failed IVF in the UK. After so much disappointment and heartbreak, it was hard to believe that our long fertility journey might finally lead to our very own baby but.... It did! We are now the proud and deliriously happy parents of a beautiful baby boy and it is all thanks to Dr. Nikos and his terrific team at embryoland in Athens. Infertility is such a sensitive and painful subject and there are unfortunately far too many IVF clinics out there which are happy to peddle hope and dreams to patients but have very little intention of delivering either. Dr Nikos, however, bucks the trend and genuinely loves his job and cares about his patients. He made our dream come true and for that we will be eternally grateful.
The clinic is very modern and clean with friendly and efficient staff. Dr Nikos is a very caring and attentive doctor who is very generous with his time. Despite it being such a busy clinic, the atmosphere was always calm (unlike other clinics we had visited in the UK).
Becky and Paul, London, UK. 14.6.2019
Organised, with a perfectly trained personnel, and technically competent staff, they tackled our case with care and wisdom, he took the right decisions on the right time, and in just 20 days from our first visit, we completed our dream, and now, a few weeks later there are 2 hearts inside me, beating along with mine:)
I thank him for his extraordinary personality, and I hope women with gynaecological problems who want to be mothers, have the luck to be treated by him.
Dawn Belgium"
I would have NO hesitation recommending Dr Kanakas to anyone"
My husband and I had been trying for a baby for over 7 years and had 3 failed (and more expensive attempts) in the UK with no success - and little customer service! I then found this clinic after doing some on-line research and hearing great reviews from people that we decided to go ahead with Embryoland.
I couldn't recommend Dr Kanakas and Embryoland enough. The level of service, efficiency and expertise was second to none. I know this will sound silly, but from the very first skype call we had with Dr Kanakas I felt like I was pregnant (I said it sounded silly!). But seriously he just put us at ease and made me believe it could happen. We travelled to Greece and the clinic is stylish, modern and clean and the staff are all incredibly friendly and very experienced - everyone made us feel so special and important and genuinely wanted it to work. I would have NO hesitation recommending Dr Kanakas to anyone, he is truly amazing and the loveliest man, we will be forever indebted to him for making our dream become a reality. Lastly....even though I am now 6 months pregnant, he still manages to send the odd skype message to check in that all is okay....you would never get that level of service and care in the UK - the man is wonderful!
Jasmine Pascoe, UK, 7.12.2019
"Thank you Dr Kanakas and all the staff of embryoland"
I am a 42 year old female from Cape Town, South Africa. After several failed IVF treatments (2 was done in US, 2 in SA, Germany and 2 in Uk), I had given up on the dream of ever having a baby. Last year Easter, I visited friends in Greece for the Easter. At the Dubai airport, I came across a medical journal that featured Dr Kanakas at Embryoland. I thought that since Easter was an auspicious time, let me discuss my situation with Dr Kanakas and see if he would treat me and perform 1 last IVF (if I was a viable candidate).His staff was sympathetic and managed to squeeze me in for a consultation. After the consultation and after explaining my plight to the Dr. I commenced, what to me was my last hope of having a baby. I extended my vacation and miraculously I fell pregnant. I waited for the first trimester to pass and returned to SA. The Dr used video conferencing to schedule consults with me and my ob in Cape Town. Dr Kanakas made himself available to take calls and answer hysteric questions about every twitch I experienced since I was so afraid I would have a miscarriage, I basically called the dr every 3rd day. 3 months before my due date, I returned to Greece for Dr Kanakas to deliver my babies, as I felt safe and comfortable with him. The rest is history. I returned to SA and have a healthy set of twin boys. My delivery was seamless and from the morning of admission to delivery it took an hour and I was taken to the ward at Athens hospital. The follow up care by the Dr was exceptional as he visited me and babies every morning for the 3 days that I was admitted. If a person receives sainthood for performing miracles than Dr Kanakas is worthy of being given sainthood. I can't thank him enough and I pray everyday for his long life and good health so that he may help many others like me. Thank you Dr Kanakas and all the staff of embryoland.
Exceptional, efficient always helpful and sympathetic. The Dr and his staff make themselves always available to answer questions and address concerns. From blood tests, to scans to video consults, the highest level of professionalism, bed side manner and medical care was demonstrated. The clinic had state of art equipment and facilities. Most of all they showed compassion and partner with you through this most stressful process, making it seamless and giving you a sense of calm and relaxation because they just so capable that you can relax since you know that you are in good hands.
Shanita, South Africa, March 2018
After 12 ivfs elsewhere, 5 pregnancy losses, thousands of dollars spent and inexplainable heartache, Dr Nikos and Embryoland made our dream come true. With 1 successful IVF we now have our perfect miracle baby boy nursing in my arms as I write this review.
Where there is Dr Nikos and Embryoland, there is hope. I read many reviews over the years of successful outcomes for people and started to lose hope that it would ever be me writing a success story. Dr Nikos and the staff at his clinic are a cut above the rest- professional yet warm and inviting, they embraced as as their family whilst giving us the best level of expertise and care I had ever seen. My only regret is not going to Dr Nikos sooner....I will be going back at the end of the year for hopefully another Dr Nikos miracle baby for us. I am so grateful to him and always will be."
Deb P, 27.03.2017, Australia
"We turned to the wonderful Dr. Nikos after 2 miscarriages and 3 rounds of failed IVF in the UK. After so much disappointment and heartbreak, it was hard to believe that our long fertility journey might finally lead to our very own baby but.... It did! We are now the proud and deliriously happy parents of a beautiful baby boy and it is all thanks to Dr. Nikos and his terrific team at embryoland in Athens.
Infertility is such a sensitive and painful subject and there are unfortunately far too many IVF clinics out there which are happy to peddle hope and dreams to patients but have very little intention of delivering either. Dr Nikos, however, bucks the trend and genuinely loves his job and cares about his patients.
He made our dream come true and for that we will be eternally grateful.
The clinic is extremely modern and clean. The staff are all very friendly and it is well run. Dr Nikos is very friendly and actually spent a lot of time with us."
Teresa and Mark from the UK, July 2016
Dr Nikos Kanakas takes time to talk to his patients"
Saw the details for the clinic on what clinic.com. Spoke to Dr Nikos Kanakas through email then a few days later my husband and I spoke to him on Skype . Our first consultation was with the doctor in February, we went to Greece from UK after 2 weeks and we got our medication and in May we went back for our IVF treatment and we are about 7 weeks pregnant with twins. We had IVF icsi and this was our first try.
Excellent 5 star service from Dr Nikos Kanakas and his team. They work as a team from the receptionist to the nurses to the embryologists. We are so grateful because Dr Nikos Kanakas takes time to talk to his patients and if you have a problem you can call him or text him and responds to you. Keep up the good work.
Miriam. London, UK, April 2018
The care, the professionalism and the genuine concern for their patients is not only superb excellent service but above any other clinic you will encounter. It is such a huge decision on which clinic to chose especially when you live as far as we do in Australia and after many discussions and doctors in Australia promising the world but really only interested in their own success rates looking at you as a number not human beings that have a desire to become parents you really need to look no further than Embryoland to make your dreams come true too! Dr Nikos Kanakas and all his team at Embryland are truly god sent and do genuinely love their jobs and do genuinely care about you.
I cannot speak highly enough of such a truly wonderful clinic and will always be eternally grateful to my partner who found Dr Nikos Kanakas and made the initial contact after two years of complete disappointment with broken promises from other IVF doctors back home. My only disappointment now is that Dr Nikos and his team won't be back in Australia with me to see the progress of my pregnancy and deliver our little miracle (or miracles) :-) WITH ALL MY HEART THANK YOU DR NIKOS AND THANK YOU EMBRYOLAND WITHOUT YOU I WOULD NOT BE PREGNANT YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Completely superb experience, would not recommend any other clinic than Embryoland.
Mel and Martin, Melbourne, 28.03.2018