Breast milk donor drive at Lutheran Children's Hospital to help feed preterm and ill NICU babies
11/18/2018
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Nov. 19, 2018) - The Milk Bank and Lutheran Children's Hospital are hosting a breast milk donor drive Nov. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. Mothers who have extra milk are invited to visit the third floor conference room at Lutheran Children's Hospital, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd., to drop off their supply, fill out a medical history form and have their blood drawn for testing. Anyone interested in learning more about this process is also welcome to stop by.
In 2008, LCH teamed with The Milk Bank to open Indiana's first hospital-based Milk Depot, encouraging mothers with excess milk to bring it to the hospital for others in need. Carefully screened donors deliver their extra human milk, where it is stored until transport to The Milk Bank in Indianapolis. After the milk is pasteurized and frozen, it is distributed back out to ill or premature infants throughout the U.S. The Milk Bank is the state's only provider of human milk.
"We continue to be inspired by mothers willing to donate their breast milk for NICU babies," said Holly Romary, R.N., internationally board-certified lactation consultant, Lutheran Children's Hospital. "It's a generous gift and so important to helping improve outcomes. This drive is our chance to increase Indiana's supply and spread the word."
Research supports that human milk boosts immune systems and is often prescribed for babies struggling with premature development, malabsorption, feeding intolerance, immunologic deficiencies, congenital abnormalities and postoperative nutritional needs.
Those interested in donating milk should be healthy women who delivered an infant within the past two years. Candidates must be willing to complete a medical history form and blood test. Donors are not paid for their milk. Mothers are encouraged to call Lutheran's lactation team at (260) 435-7330, or visit TheMilkBank.org/donate-milk, for more information.
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About The Milk Bank
Founded in 2005 as the Indiana Mothers' Milk Bank, The Milk Bank was established to improve health outcomes for premature and ill infants, foster better health for children and decrease health care expenditures. The Milk Bank receives human milk from carefully screened donors, pasteurizes, freezes and distributes it throughout the United States. As a non-profit, community-supported entity, The Milk Bank is the first and only donor human milk bank in Indiana. The Milk Bank is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
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