PR: BREAST MILK DRIVE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 26, 2024
CONTACT: Kristi Richey RD, IBCLC, (530) 245-6169, krichey@shastacounty.gov

SHASTA COUNTY – The North State Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a breast milk drive on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at two Women, infants & Children (WIC) sites in Chico and Redding. During the drive, parents can learn about breast milk donation, get screened to be a donor, and donate frozen breast milk. All breast milk donated at this event goes to the Mothers’ Milk Bank—a safe, certified human milk donation center in Northern California. As little as a quarter of an ounce of donated breastmilk can help a premature baby thrive.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding through the second year of a child’s life. Many vulnerable infants face medical risks and even life-threatening digestion conditions that can be addressed only with human milk. Although it is a small percentage, some moms are unable to breastfeed their children due to a variety of physical issues. If a baby is premature or has other health issues, the problem becomes more serious. Mothers can get a prescription and work with Mother’s Milk Bank of San Jose to receive milk.

To donate, bring frozen breast milk up to 9 months from the day of expression.

Enterprise WIC
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2757 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA
Kristi Richey, (530) 245-6169

Chico WIC
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2080 E. 20th St., Suite 180, Chico, CA
Kate Sheehy, (530) 552-3921

To get pre-screened online, visit: https://mothersmilk.org/donate-milk/

To learn more about the drive or milk bank, visit the sites listed below.