The Victorian Government has announced a a new campaign aimed at increasing the number of egg and sperm donors as part of Victoria’s more than $120 million nation-leading Public Fertility Care program.
While blood and organ donors help save lives, egg and sperm donors are helping make lives – with this selfless choice giving Victorians desperate to become parents, the chance to create or expand their family, said Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas (pictured, below).
“Being an egg or sperm donor is one of the most selfless things anyone can do to help the lives of others – becoming a life maker is going to give more Victorians the chance to have a child and grow a family,” said the Minister.
“Our Australian-first Public Fertility Care is making it fairer, easier and more accessible for hopeful parents to start a family of their own.”
Featuring state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and staffed with fertility experts, the egg and sperm bank at the Royal Women’s Hospital is encouraging altruistic donations from Victorians that want to give someone the chance to start or grow their family.
To date, more than 2,800 Victorians have commenced their fertility treatment journey through the public program, with more than 140 women falling pregnant.
It comes as the Labor Government made an additional investment of $2 million in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 to continue vital donor services through the Public Fertility Care egg and sperm bank – an Australian-first in a public health system.
On top of this, the Budget is also investing $5.7 million to continue antenatal care through the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies initiative in regional Victoria – providing support for mums who are having to juggle difficult issues like poor mental health, language barriers or socioeconomic factors.
Eligible Victorians seeking to access public fertility care – including the use of donated eggs or sperm – will need to be referred by their GP or specialist. People interested in helping Victorians start their family can visit thewomens.org.au/egg-and-sperm-donate.
