It's safe to say Kamloops and Kelowna are making it easier than ever to donate human milk!
Interior Health announced this morning that two new breast milk depots would be coming to the rival cities. The introduction of these depots means that donors will now be allowed to give their milk on a continuous basis rather than waiting for periodic milk drives. Kamloops' depot will be found at the Health Unit on 519 Columbia Street while Kelowna's will be at the Community Health Centre.
“Two new milk depots for Kelowna and Kamloops will help infants in the very first, fragile stages of their lives, and are incredibly important for those first few days,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “I am proud of Interior Health for making this happen and thank the selfless donors who provide milk to meet the ever-growing demand.”
Interior Health explained that human milk has many health-promoting properties for babies, such as antibodies to fight infection and disease. It is especially important when dealing with sick and very tiny infants.
“Screened and pasteurized donor human milk is often in high demand at hospitals across the province for premature or sick infants," said Rob Finch, Interior Health’s Maternal, Newborn, Child & Youth Network Director. "While a mother’s own milk is always the first choice, pasteurized donor human milk is extremely beneficial for at-risk newborns, such as those born prematurely. Our sincere thanks to all those who have supported milk drives in the past for your continued dedication to the provincial milk bank and the babies it serves.”
The two newest human milk depots mean the province has 28 in total. The depots provide a place to drop off raw, frozen milk, which is transported to the BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank in Vancouver. Pasteurized human milk is used at Interior Health neonatal intensive care units in Kamloops and Kelowna.
“Breastfeeding Matters in Kamloops would like to extend both congratulations and gratitude for the many women and friends/family members in the Kamloops area, including Ashcroft and Salmon Arm, who have freely given time and support through pumping and storing breast milk and travelling to provide donor milk for the smallest members of our communities,” said Joanne Juras of Breastfeeding Matters Kamloops. "The Kamloops organization and OK Breastfeeding in Kelowna have shipped hundreds of litres of breastmilk over the years."
For more information on milk depots and milk banks, click here.
