GARY – Methodist Hospital – Northlake Campus in Gary is partnering with The Milk Bank to open a new milk depot in Indiana. This milk collection site is the second in Lake County and provides a convenient drop off for women to donate their extra breast milk for processing at The Milk Bank. The milk delivers to fragile infants in hospital neonatal intensive care units. The two organizations will celebrate with a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 13. The public is invited to attend.
The Methodist Hospitals in Gary milk depot joins 25 other milk depots in Indiana. A milk depot is an accessible place for women to drop off their milk before it is shipped to The Milk Bank for pasteurization and distribution. Milk depots make the formal donating process more convenient.
“The milk bank hopes to continue forging partnerships with organizations throughout the Midwest to make the process of human milk donation easier for donor moms and families, while also helping to support breastfeeding in local communities,” stated Janice O’Rourke, Executive Director of The Milk Bank.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, human milk is the standard food for all infants including premature and sick infants. Human milk provides optimal nutrition and unique health benefits that last beyond infancy.
Mothers who are interested in donating milk can call to set up a phone consultation with The Milk Bank’s donor mother coordinator. Individuals then follow up with a written questionnaire and a blood draw at a local lab, all at The Milk Bank’s expense.
Methodist Hospital – Northlake Campus in Gary is located at 600 Grant St, Gary IN, 46402.
