January 19, 2022
Statement: Milk Donors Urgently Needed as COVID-19 Pandemic Persists
The following statement has been issued by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) regarding the status of the donor milk supply.
In efforts to meet the increasing demand for donor milk, coupled with a decline in milk donations, the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and its member milk banks across the United States and Canada are urging healthy, lactating people to consider donating to their local milk bank today. Doing so is essential to maintaining the stability of the donor milk supply, which ensures life-saving medical treatments for high-risk infants.
Collectively, our member milk banks face new challenges as COVID-19 cases surge and winter storms threaten to further disrupt the supply chain. As these concerns intensify, milk banks also confront a decline in donor turnout, milk drive cancellations, and staffing challenges.
Thus, the need for donor milk remains constant. Supply must constantly be replenished. Milk can take several days to be tested, processed, and made available for infants in need. Current supply is being used almost as quickly as it becomes available.
Milk donations are needed now to continue saving the most vulnerable babies’ lives.
The milk banking community relies on the generosity of donors to help save lives throughout the year. The need for donor milk continues to be significant as the pandemic persists. Please contact the milk bank closest to you to find out more today. https://www.hmbana.org/find-a-milk-bank/
About HMBANA
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) mobilizes the healing power of donor milk by accrediting nonprofit milk banks in the United States and Canada, setting international guidelines for pasteurized donor human milk.
