FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HMBANA Celebrates World Human Milk Donation Day by Encouraging Milk Donation and Community Awareness
Fort Worth, TX – On May 19, 2025, The Human Milk Bank Association of North America (HMBANA) joins communities around the world in celebrating World Human Milk Donation Day. This important day raises awareness about the critical role that donated human milk plays in the health and well-being of premature and medically fragile infants.
World Human Milk Donation Day shines a spotlight on the lifesaving benefits of donor milk and the generosity of those who donate. For babies born too early or with medical complications, donor milk offers unmatched nutritional support and immune protection, lowering the risk of infections and promoting healthy growth and development.
Donor milk plays a critical role in supporting infant health.
- Premature infants (born before 37 weeks) have a significantly higher risk of developing life-threatening conditions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- Human milk provides natural antibodies that help protect vulnerable infants from infections. Preterm babies who receive donor milk are less likely to experience infections like sepsis or respiratory issues.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends human milk as the optimal form of nutrition for infants, particularly for those born prematurely or with medical conditions. Donor milk from nonprofit milk banks plays a critical role in fulfilling this recommendation for babies who may not have access to their mother’s milk.
- 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in the United States, and many of these infants require donor milk for optimal nutrition and health outcomes.
The importance of human milk donation cannot be overstated. In addition to providing crucial nutrients and immune support, donor milk is often a vital resource for hospitals, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and families in need. By donating milk, individuals can contribute to improving the health outcomes of babies who may be facing life-threatening conditions.
How You Can Get Involved
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and its 30+ nonprofit milk banks encourage people to get involved on World Human Milk Donation Day by:
- Donating milk to one of the nonprofit milk banks across North America. Individuals can find their local milk bank at https://www.hmbana.org/find-a-milk-bank/.
- Spreading the word about the importance of human milk donation through social media and community outreach. Awareness is key to encouraging more people to donate and support this critical cause.
- Supporting local milk banks by volunteering or making financial contributions to ensure the sustainability of their services and expand their ability to serve more families.
For more information about becoming a milk donor or obtaining donor human milk for your baby, please find a milk bank near you here.
About HMBANA
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) is a nonprofit organization that sets safety and quality standards for nonprofit milk banks in the United States and Canada. HMBANA’s mission is to improve infant health and survival by ensuring access to safe, pasteurized donor milk. Its member milk banks facilitate the donation of breast milk from healthy lactating individuals to nourish the most vulnerable infants.
Learn more or become a donor at www.hmbana.org.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Groff
HMBANA Executive Director
info@hmbana.org
(817) 810-9984
