Bereavement support services
DonateLife™ in Victoria's specially trained Organ Donor Coordinators (ODCs) provide as much support and information as the donor's family needs throughout the donation process.
After the donation, with the family's permission, the family is sent a bereavement pack with information about the outcome of their loved one's donation. This includes non-identifying information about the recipients, reading materials on coping with grief and details about DonateLife™ in Victoria's bereavement support services.
The family is provided with the option of five free bereavement counselling sessions and additional support from DonateLife™ in Victoria's staff.
If you would like to find out more information on our bereavement support services for donor families, please contact DonateLife™ in Victoria on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
Health professional education
The Health Professional Education Program provides ongoing health professional education to enhance the knowledge and comfort of healthcare professionals and undergraduate and postgraduate medical, nursing and paramedic students with the organ and tissue donation process.
The program is interactive, based on real case studies and tailored to meet the needs of all healthcare professionals directly involved in donation as well as those healthcare professionals and students who have limited knowledge about the topic.
It covers a wide range of subjects including brain death diagnosis, understanding loss and bereavement and many more. There is no course fee. A minimum of 10 attendees is preferred and the program is available in both metropolitan and regional centres.
If you would like to organise an education session for your hospital, university or organisation, please contact DonateLife™ in Victoria on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
Workplace partnership program
The workplace partner program enables organisations to help raise workplace awareness and understanding about organ and tissue donation.
It is an opportunity for businesses and workplaces, of any size or kind, to promote organ and tissue donation among employees and encourage staff to make their decision about donation known.
Through the program, workplace partners are provided with materials about organ and tissue donation which they make available to employees through internal communication activities.
DonateLife™ in Victoria recognises the diversity of employers and workplaces, so staff are available to work closely with organisations to identify and develop appropriate strategies for individual workplaces.
Participation in this program does not require any direct financial commitment, simply the time and enthusiasm of staff to make it a success.
For more information on the program, please contact DonateLife™ in Victoria on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
Schools program
DonateLife™ in Victoria has developed a tailored curriculum unit to help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation among secondary school students.
The unit was developed as part of the Teacher Release to Industry Program (TRIP). It was introduced into Victorian schools after a trial in five metropolitan and rural secondary schools in 2003.
The curriculum unit contains a 20-minute video and a workbook with worksheets that can be photocopied. It is suitable for students in Years 7 to 9. The unit is easy to use and contains all the necessary information for teachers about donation and transplantation.
The program can be taught as an integrated curriculum unit and covers all the key learning areas including English, science, health, maths, languages other than English, and art. Alternatively individual lessons can be used. It contains a variety of learning strategies and can also be used in personal development units.
DonateLife™ in Victoria also works with schools in providing assembly and classroom presentations with guest speakers including DonateLife™ in Victoria staff, donor families and recipients. Students and teachers have evaluated the program as being a very successful way of providing them with information on organ or tissue donation and transplantation.
For more information on the tailored curriculum unit or to organise a speaker for your school or class, please contact DonateLife™ in Victoria on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
Volunteer program
Community-based programs, such as the Victorian Volunteer Program, enable DonateLife™ in Victoria to reach a wider audience to help raise community awareness, understanding and acceptance of organ and tissue donation.
Volunteers need to be prepared to perform and initiate activities including community talks, promotional activities and engaging workplaces, schools and organisations within their local area.
Volunteers are not rostered to work on specific days but are required to instigate promotional and speaking opportunities through their own contacts in their local area and, when suitable, assist in DonateLife™ promotional activities.
While DonateLife™ in Victoria is not able to provide daily hands-on support it conducts a volunteer training session, supplies resources and promotional materials and also provides ongoing support through the volunteer newsletter and strategic advice. Training sessions are held every six months or based on demand.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, please contact DonateLife™ in Victoria on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
Community speakers
DonateLife™ in Victoria has a network of community speakers including DonateLife™ staff, clinical staff and more than 40 volunteers who include donor families, recipients and recipients' family members.
For more information on having someone from DonateLife™ in Victoria speak about organ and tissue donation at your community group or event, please contact donatelife on (03) 9349 4762 or email donatelife@arcbs.redcross.org.au.
