Temple, Texas – As World Breastfeeding week is celebrated from August 1 to August 7, Scott & White Medical Center – Temple (SWMC – Temple) today sees its new milk depot, serviced by the Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin (MMBA), thrive and support families in need. Since opening May 24, the depot has received more than 2,600 ounces of donated milk.
As the demand for human donor milk in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) continues to rise, the new milk bank depot at SWMC – Temple will give lactating mothers a new, convenient drop-off location for breastmilk donations.
One of the largest suppliers of human donor milk to hospitals across Texas and in 22 states, the MMBA fills prescriptions written by physicians for the most fragile babies who need the life-giving and sustaining nutrition of donor human milk to thrive.
The McLane Children's NICU at Scott & White Medical Center – Temple ranks among the top in survival of fragile newborns.
"Breastmilk isn't something a new mother may think she's able to donate to help others," said Kristin Hull, BSN, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Services, Scott & White Medical Center – Temple. "The reality is, demand currently exceeds supply in many NICUs, and considering donating breast milk could save a life."
Women who are currently breastfeeding infants under 1-year-old are eligible to be screened at no charge to become human milk donors.
Although any woman can donate her breastmilk regardless of where she lives, the new milk depot at SWMC – Temple will make it easier for those in the Temple area to donate this scarce resource that has life-saving impact.
"Our reputation for providing safe, nutritionally analyzed, and labeled donor human milk to hospitals and outpatients has led to tremendous growth in demand—a challenge and also a success," said Kim Updegrove, Executive Director of the Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin. "By partnering with Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, we will raise our awareness with a vital audience – breastfeeding women who are uniquely qualified to help save the lives of premature and critically ill babies."
Non-profit milk banks like MMBA ensure human donor milk is safe and available to the infants who need it most. The pasteurized breast milk dispensed is specifically processed to meet the specific needs of fragile and sick babies.
Founded in 1999 by two Austin neonatologists, Drs. Sonny Rivera and George Sharpe, the MMBA serves babies with the greatest medical needs, regardless of family's ability to pay.
The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin needs 1,200 donors to meet the expected 2017 demand. As of April 2017, 330 women are approved and active donors to the Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin, including Scott & White – Temple.
Breastfeeding and lactating women in the Temple area who are interested in donating their breastmilk for the benefit of premature, ill and medically fragile infants may call toll-free 1-877-813-6455 to begin the screening process.
Scott & White Medical Center – Temple is located at 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, Texas 76508. The depot accepts breastmilk donations on the 3rd floor of the North Tower, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About the Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin
The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin is a non-profit organization whose mission is to accept, pasteurize and dispense donor human milk by physician prescription, primarily to premature and ill infants. Women who are lactating can donate milk to The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin regardless of where they live. In 2015, the milk bank received donations from 884 women and pasteurized and dispensed 483,000 ounces of donor human milk. Prospective donors across the U.S. may call toll-free 1-877-813-6455. Learn more at www.milkbank.com.
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
