NORTHWEST MOTHERS MILK BANK

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARYIn 2023, Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) celebrated a decade of serving the Pacific Northwest with a safe source of donor milk to fragile infants. A beautiful celebration brought together long-time supporters, as well as those new to the milk bank. The growth of the milk bank has been remarkable, heartwarming, wonderful and, truth be told, a wild ride. As often happens when you hit the ground running it can be difficult to stop and savor the milestones. That was part of what made the night so special an opportunity to pause, breathe, and truly appreciate our success. MISSION DRIVENThe mission of Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) is to improve the health and survival of the Pacific Northwests most vulnerable infants. As a community-based, nonprofit milk bank, our organization envisions a region where all babies have access to the human milk they need to grow and thrive. NWMMB assists when a birth parent's own milk is not 100% available, supplying a safe source of donor milk to infants with medical need. We carry out our mission through collection, pasteurization, and distribution of human donor milk, as well as providing education, advocacy, and research on human milk banking.ACCOMPLISHMENTSOver the last 10 years, NWMMB has worked to build community care programs to improve access to pasteurized donor human milk. Programs include: Evies Fund provides donor milk to infants with ongoing medical needs. Rapid Relief serves as a bridge for families who need donor milk on an immediate short-term basis. Expression of Care works to eliminate barriers for parents in Oregon who choose to provide breastmilk for their own infant despite incarceration and separation. Breast Pump Rentals are available to lactating parents at affordable and sliding scale rates. WHO RECEIVES HUMAN DONOR MILKOne in nine infants is born premature. Prematurity puts infants at risk for infection, prolonged hospital stays, and long-term disabilities. Research supports that the nutrition and immunological protection provided by human milk is best for all infants, particularly those with medical needs. When a parents own milk is not available, donor milk is the next best option. NWMMB prioritizes premature infants. Milk is dispensed to hospitals daily. Families who are discharged but have an on-going need for supplementation of donor milk have access to our milk distribution centers or outpatient program.LOVE IN EVERY DROPMilk donation is an altruistic act - a unique gift that makes a significant impact on the health of a baby, other than your own. NWMMB screens milk donors who are healthy, non-smoking and have an excess of breastmilk that their own baby does not need. Milk donors are not compensated for their donations. They are willing to undergo a screening process and blood testing to confirm their eligibility.Milk donors in 2023 made the following impact:973 Approved Milk Donors, over 800K ounces donated,4800+ total donations. NWMMB follows strict guidelines to assure that donated milk is safe. NWMMB uses a multi-step donor screening process, laboratory testing and holder pasteurization techniques. Safety standards are put forth by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), which follows measures from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). NWMMB is an accredited member of HMBANA and is assessed annually for safety and quality compliance.