Epping family’s double donor joy

Before they were born, sisters Olivia and Zara Masucci travelled halfway around the world together. The pair was among a special delivery of donated eggs from the United States that Melissa and Alfie Masucci hoped would help them create their much-wanted family.

The Epping couple started trying for a family in 2018, before turning to fertility treatment two years later. Unable to use her own eggs to conceive, Melissa was advised by Monash IVF fertility specialist Dr Virochana Kaul to try donated eggs.

Of the seven eggs she received from an overseas donor, two embryos were created. The result was what Melissa describes as “two perfect babies.”

Olivia was born in September 2021 and Zara in mid-2023.

“We were never turned off by the fact they were donor eggs, we just wanted a family,” Melissa said. “We were both in our 40s and thought if this is our best option, then we’re willing to give it a go.”

Melissa is grateful to her overseas donor for her generous gift, but she and Alfie would like to see more Victorian women become donors to give people like her greater options.

Dr Kaul, who guided the couple through their journey - treating them at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora and later delivering both girls at Freemasons Hospital - echoed their wish for more local donors.

“2023 marks the 40^th anniversary of the first birth from a donor egg, which happened right here in Melbourne,” Dr Kaul said.

“ Monash IVF doctors were involved in that historic moment and since then we have helped countless people like Melissa and Alfie to become parents using donor eggs.

“Egg donation is a truly, amazing gift and I would urge anyone who can donate their eggs to consider helping others unable to use their own eggs.”

According to the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority, 288 Victoria received egg donations in 2022-23, a drop of 27 per cent on the previous financial year.

More information on how to become a Monash IVF egg donor is available here.