THERE has been an increase in the number of women selling their eggs for profit.

Ms Nancy Block from the Center for Egg Options, outside Chicago, said there has been "probably at least a 40 per cent increase in the number of people who are donating eggs".

Ms Block said she quite certain it is because people are looking for money as the financial crisis bites.

The centre is not only seeing more donors but more repeat donors as well,reported CBS news.

Women can earn US$7,000 ($10,000) or more for just one donation.

"That's a lot of money," Ms Block said.

"It's great for school. It's great for the mortgage. It's great to help their families out. And you know, it's something that they feel good about."

The fact that egg donation is not an easy way to make a quick buck shows how desperate people are.

Worth the trouble?

It's a time consuming medical procedure, with risks. Donors will spend weeks taking fertility drugs. Medications can cause hot flashes, headaches and vision problems.

Donors also have to have frequent blood tests and ultrasounds. And it takes several days to recover after the eggs are harvested.

But Ms Christy Bush has earned US$30,000 so far.

It has helped support her two kids and pays for nursing school.

Over the past four years, she says, she has donated four times and, with money being tight, she has decided to donate again.

"It makes it so that I'm not working 40 hours a week... It's given me hope that I can actually do the parenting and the schooling and still be home and doing great things and actually watching my kids being raised," Ms Bush said.

But for parents Karen and Mark who wanted a second son but were unable to have one because of health reasons, the situation is "win-win".

She gave birth to a healthy boy using donors eggs.

Karen said: "... if it weren't for the donors, this could not have happened for us."

This story was first published in The New Paper on Oct 16, 2008.