The 'Share the Love' campaign represents a collaborative effort by Mother's Milk Bank California, Human Milk Connection, and the Sacramento Breastfeeding Coalition to support vulnerable infants through breast milk donations. This initiative, scheduled to run throughout February 2025, addresses the increasing demand for donor breast milk at a time when ensuring consistent supply has become critically important for fragile infants who depend on it for survival. For premature infants and those with critical medical conditions, breast milk serves as more than just nutrition—it functions as vital medicine that can significantly impact health outcomes.
The campaign introduces an innovative virtual approach to milk donation that allows mothers to participate from home, removing traditional barriers that have limited donor participation in the past. Donors will receive pre-paid shipping kits, and a courier service will collect donations at their convenience, creating a more accessible donation process. Janel Silva, co-founder of Human Milk Connection, emphasized the campaign's significance, stating that it extends the personal act of breastfeeding into a broader gesture of community support. Silva noted, 'We believe every baby deserves the opportunity to receive human milk, and mothers with extra breast milk have the power to make that possible.'
The initiative gains particular importance through the involvement of Mother's Milk Bank California, a 50-year-old nonprofit organization that has played a pivotal role in establishing standards for milk banking across North America. As a founding member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), the organization has been instrumental in developing safe practices for human milk collection, pasteurization, and distribution to hospitals and families. This expertise ensures that donated milk meets rigorous safety standards while reaching those who need it most.
This campaign represents a critical step in addressing healthcare needs while making the donation process more accessible to nursing mothers. The virtual format allows for broader participation across geographic areas, potentially increasing the supply of donor milk at a time of growing demand. Interested donors can learn more about participation through the campaign's online resources at https://humanmilkconnection.org/milkdrive or through https://www.mothersMilk.org. The collaboration between these three organizations demonstrates how coordinated efforts can create meaningful solutions for vulnerable populations, particularly during periods when healthcare resources face increasing pressure.
