DonateLife Victoria

DonateLife Victoria (DLV) coordinates all organ and tissue donation across the state. A team of dedicated medical and nursing specialists work within Victorian hospitals to provide professional services and encourage best practice to increase organ and tissue donation rates.

Staff at DLV also coordinate marketing and communications within the state, provide hospital and community education, and support for Victorian donor families.

Get involved and volunteer with DonateLife Victoria

DonateLife Victoria is always looking for local volunteers. To find out more, contact the Community Engagement Coordinator:

Phoebe Storey
Phone: (03) 8317 7400 or 0428 073 018
Email: donatelifecommunications@redcrossblood.org.au

Our volunteers are integral to increasing awareness of organ and tissue donation across Victoria. Our volunteer team includes:

  • transplant recipients
  • family members (recipient and donor families)
  • general community members.

Our volunteers take part in activities and events all over the state, including information displays, community talks and media opportunities.

Contact DonateLife Victoria

Contacting the on-call DonateLife specialist coordinator

Call 1300 DLV VIC (1300 358 842) and ask for the on-call Donation Specialist Coordinator.

Donation specialists are available 24/7 for register checks, medical suitability and planning for a family donation conversation.

General enquiries

Level 2, 19–21 Argyle Place South, Carlton VIC 3053

Phone: (03) 8317 7400 or 1300 133 050 (toll free)
Fax: (03) 9349 2730

Email: donatelife@redcrossblood.org.au

Media contact

Please email your enquiry through to donatelifecommunications@redcrossblood.org.au

If your enquiry requires an urgent response:

Monday - Wednesday
Liz Sonntag
Phone: 0488 247 019

Thursday - Sunday
Matt Ellis
Phone: 0418 542 802

Donor family support coordinator

Michelle Skinner
Phone: (03) 8317 7400
Email: MiSkinner@redcrossblood.org.au

DonateLife Victoria Executive Team

Headshot of DonateLife Victoria general manager Tony Holland wearing a pink button up shirt underneath a light grey blazer

General Manager - Tony Holland

Tony joined DLV in August 2019 as the first General Manager. After 12 years in the not-for-profit sector, Tony had long held a desire to work in an environment where his effort was supporting people to thrive. He says that clearly the purpose of the work at DLV ensures this.

“DLV is an amazing place to be and it is a huge privileged to be part of such a caring group of medical and nursing professionals,” he said.

Headshot of DonateLife Victoria Deputy State Medical Director Dr Rohit D'Costa wearing a light blue button up shirt underneath a checked navy blazer

State Medical Director – Dr Rohit D’Costa

Dr Rohit D’Costa has held senior medical positions with DonateLife Victoria since 2011, when he commenced as a Medical Donation Specialist. Dr D’Costa moved into the Deputy State Medical Director role in 2014, and in 2015 was appointed State Medical Director.

Dr D’Costa is also an Intensive Care Specialist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He sits as the Victorian Representative on the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society – Death and Organ Donation Committee, and as a member of the Organ and Tissue Authority’s Transplant Advisory Group. He is a trainer for the national Family Donation Conversation workshops.

Dr D’Costa is Chair of the Clinical Governance Committee – Lions Eye Donation Service and is a board member of Transplant Australia.

Headshot of DonateLife Victoria Deputy State Medical Director Dr Sam Radford wearing a white button up shirt underneath a checked navy blazer

Deputy State Medical Director – Dr Sam Radford

Sam has been formally involved with Organ donation since 2009. As a medical donation specialist and Intensivist, he has seen up close the evolution of practice over a decade. In 2015 he took on the role of Deputy State Medical Director at DonateLife Victoria.

Sam has helped develop a data driven, reflective practice model that helps bring clarity and accountability to a diverse range of health services. Sam’s donation related academic interests focus on the team aspects and conduct of organ

Headshot of DonateLife Victoria staff member Toula Saltas wearing a white blazer over a patterned orange dress

Nursing Services Manager - Toula Saltas

Toula joined DLV in January 2022 as Nursing Services Manager. With over 30 years’ experience in both nursing and strategic and quality management roles, Toula is passionate about supporting staff in providing exceptional experiences for patients and their families.

“DLV provides such a unique and special service to our community. It is a privilege to work alongside a caring, dedicated team who support our donors and their families in the most difficult time to selflessly help others in need of lifesaving transplants”

Headshot of DonateLife Victoria staff member Matt Ellis wearing a white button up shirt underneath a grey blazer

Quality and Operations Manager - Matt Ellis

Matt joined DonateLife Victoria in October 2021 after nearly 20 years employment with Alfred Health as Manager of the Physiology Service and later as Business Manager for Respiratory Medicine. 

Matt brings a wealth of experience in the Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement space and is passionate in using information and data to drive process change and improvement.