Breast Milk Donation Drive to Support Babies in Need

LANCASTER, Calif. – Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is partnering with the Mother’s Milk Bank to host a breast milk drive from 11:00AM to 2:00PM on Sunday May 19, 2024. The event will be located at AVMC’s Community Resource Center at 44151 15th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534 (next to City of Hope).

Antelope Valley Medical Center is home to the region’s only level 3B neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which cares for more than 400 premature or ill newborns annually. The specialized care these tiny patients receive includes health-boosting breast milk, preferably from their own mothers. However, when the mother has a low milk supply; is ill; on certain medications, or in cases of adoption or surrogacy, breast milk donated by other nursing mothers can be lifesaving. Research shows that breast milk promotes brain development, lowers respiratory infections, builds and boosts the immune system, and lowers the risk of asthma, SIDS, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.(https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/)

“Breastmilk is the best gift you can give to a premature infant who is fighting for their life.  It increases their chance for survival and decreases the chance of a life threating infection”, said Murugesa Thangavel, M.D., Antelope Valley Medical Center, Women and Infant Pavilion’s NICU Medical Director.

The hospital was designated a Breast Milk Depot in 2017 by BreastfeedLA, a nonprofit breastfeeding advocacy organization. AVMC is 1 of only 4 designated milk collection sites in Los Angeles County. The designation means breastfeeding moms can drop off breast milk at AVMC’s Women and Infants Pavilion; it will then be processed, pasteurized and distributed to infants in need of this vital resource.

The event will feature a special presentation for an honored breast milk donor, and will include additional community resources, a workout demonstration by Fit4Mom, raffle prizes, and refreshments.

Mothers interested in donating breast milk during the drive will be screened and given a blood test to ensure the safety of their breast milk. Frozen breast milk is appreciated.  For details and more information, please call 661-726-6210.

About Antelope Valley Medical Center

Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC), the only full-service, acute-care hospital located in Lancaster, CA. AVMC has been delivering exceptional care to the community since 1955.  It offers the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, Pediatric unit, Level IIIB NICU, Inpatient Behavioral Health Department, Labor and Delivery, Accredited Chest Pain Center/STEMI Receiving Center, Advanced Primary & Comprehensive Stroke Center, a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center, and a Thrombectomy Capable Center.  More information is available at www.avmc.org or by calling (661) 949-5000. Follow us @avmedicalcenter