Nursing Mothers Invited to Support Breast Milk Drive
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AVMC is 1 of only 4 designated milk collection sites in Los Angeles County
Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is partnering with the Antelope Valley Breastfeeding Coalition to host a breast milk drive from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday May 7, 2022. 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 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. Last year the NICU used 84 gallons of donor milk to treat infants.
“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 & 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 one of only four designated milk collection sites in Los Angeles County. The designation means breastfeeding moms can drop off breast milk at AVMC’s Women & Infants Pavilion; it will then be processed, pasteurized and distributed to infants in need of this vital resource.
During this year’s event, AVMC will have the privilege of honoring milk donor, Vanessa Apollo. After experiencing a tragic loss, she found the courage to continue pumping her breastmilk and has donated 161 bags of frozen breastmilk. We hope Vanessa’s story of strength, openness, and selflessness inspires others to give.
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 in the Antelope Valley. AVMC has been delivering exceptional care to the community since 1955. It offers the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, Pediatric unit, NICU, Inpatient Mental Health Department, Labor and Delivery, Accredited Chest Pain Center/STEMI Receiving Center, Advanced Primary & Comprehensive Stroke Center and Comprehensive Community Cancer Center. AVMC is now a Thrombectomy Capable Center. More information is available at www.avmc.org or by calling (661) 949-5000. Follow us @avmedicalcenter
