Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper is partnering with The Milk Bank to open a new milk depot in Indiana. This milk collection site is the first in Dubois County and provides a convenient drop-off for women to donate their extra breast milk for processing at The Milk Bank. Once processed, the milk is delivered to fragile infants in hospital neonatal intensive care units. The two organizations will celebrate with a grand opening 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 22. The public is invited.
The Memorial Hospital milk depot joins 26 other milk depots in Indiana. A milk depot is an accessible place for women to drop off their milk before it is shipped to The Milk Bank for pasteurization and distribution. Milk depots make the formal donating process more convenient.
“The milk bank hopes to continue forging partnerships with organizations throughout the Midwest to make the process of human milk donation easier for donor moms and families, while also helping to support breastfeeding in local communities,” stated Janice O’Rourke, Executive Director of The Milk Bank.
Patty Scherle, Director of Women and Infant Services at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center states, “We are very excited to collaborate with The Milk Bank to provide a depot for the community and surrounding area. Being a collection point will allow easy access for generous women who donate their milk. Together we can make a difference for those premature infants to help provide a healthier life.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, human milk is the standard food for all infants including premature and sick infants. Human milk provides optimal nutrition and unique health benefits that last beyond infancy.
Mothers who are interested in donating milk can call to set up a phone consultation with The Milk Bank’s donor mother coordinator. Individuals will be asked to complete a written questionnaire and have blood drawn at a Memorial Hospital lab, all at The Milk Bank’s expense.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper is located at 800 West 9th St, Jasper IN, 47546.
