News Release Great Plains Health
NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Now it is easier than ever for mothers to make a difference with a special gift.
Great Plains Health is pleased to partner with Mothers’ Milk Bank in Denver, Colo., to make breastmilk more accessible to families who need it in Greater Nebraska. Great Plains Health opened the first breastmilk donation and outreach center in the region.
Thanks to the generous support of donors, a gift from the Great Plains Health Care Foundation helped provide the resources to begin the program at Great Plains Health.
After a screening process, mothers can deliver their breastmilk donations to Great Plains Health, which will then send the milk for testing and pasteurization at Mothers’ Milk Bank in Denver. The milk will return to Great Plains Health for local families.
“This process is easier and safer for mothers and families who rely on these donations,” Serena Findley, lactation consultant at Great Plains Health, said. “Breastmilk is the gold standard. When a mother makes a breastmilk donation, the donation goes a long way. It makes life easier for families facing challenges with feeding, or could even save the life of a premature or critically ill baby in the NICU relying on the nutrition from breast milk.”
Mothers’ Milk Bank is a nonprofit program of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation that collects, processes and provides breastmilk to babies across the country.
The collaboration empowers mothers who seek to help each other and provide a valuable gift to infants.
Angela Stinman of North Platte is a mother of two children and the first donor of the program.
“When you make a donation, you’re giving away so much of yourself, but knowing the good that it is going to create makes it so rewarding,” Stinman said. “I’m excited to be able to give to moms and babies in the NICU.”
Stinman encourages mothers to research the donation process and talk to other mothers about their experience donating breastmilk.
Great Plains Health, a level II trauma center, provides outstanding labor and delivery and NICU care to the community.
“Our physicians, nurses, lactation consultant and care team members go above and beyond for families during the special time of adding a baby to the family,” Tina Pate, CNO, says. “This partnership is an exciting addition to how we can serve families in Greater Nebraska and meet the needs of our community.”
To learn more about making or receiving a breast milk donation, contact Findley at [email protected], or 308.568.2265.