New Breast Milk Donation Depot Opens in Campbell River, B.C.

Strategic Insights -

The Campbell River Health Unit on Vancouver Island is launching a donor milk collection depot, partnering with the Provincial Milk Bank to support the most vulnerable babies in B.C. The depot will collect and transport expressed breast milk from screened donors, which will be pasteurized and distributed to hospitals across the province. The initiative aims to provide life-saving measures for preterm or sick babies, offering them antibodies to fight disease and infection. With high demand and limited supply, the milk bank is relying on new donors to fill the gap.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Campbell River Health Unit is partnering with the Provincial Milk Bank to establish a donor milk collection depot, serving as the first in the North Island region.
  • The depot will collect and process donor breast milk, which will be transported to B.C. Women's Hospital + Health Centre for pasteurization and distribution to hospitals across the province.
  • The initiative aims to provide life-saving measures for preterm or sick babies, offering them antibodies to fight disease and infection.
  • Island Health's public health manager, Carolyn Hutton, knows firsthand the importance of milk donations, having received them for her twins 17 years ago.
  • Donors can drop off their breast milk at the new depot Monday to Wednesday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., once they have been screened by the milk bank.
  • The demand for milk is high, often exceeding supply, and the milk bank relies on new donors to fill the gap.
  • Since 2016, donors from the Island Health region have given 3,683 litres of milk to babies in need, enough to fill approximately 18 bathtubs.
  • Potential donors can register for the program and find out about eligibility through the BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre's website.
  • The program is facilitated through Island Health's Right from the Start prenatal Public Health Nursing service.

Statistics:

  • 3,683 litres of milk has been donated to babies in need since 2016.
  • The amount of milk donated is enough to fill approximately 18 bathtubs.
  • The demand for milk often exceeds supply.
  • New donors are always needed to fill the gap.

Sources:

  • Island Health, "Campbell River Health Unit to become a donor milk collection depot for the Provincial Milk Bank"
  • Vancouver Island Free Daily, "New Breast Milk Donation Depot Opens in Campbell River, B.C." (publication unknown)