MOMS OC is launching the first OC human milk collection site on Aug. 18

Santa Ana, Calif. – MOMS Orange County and Mothers’ Milk Bank have joined forces to create the county’s first donor human milk collection center at Santa Ana-based MOMS Orange County. A grand opening celebration and breast milk drive will be held at the nonprofit’s headquarters located at 1128 West Santa Ana Blvd. on Friday, August 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in conjunction with August National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Nursing mothers can bring their frozen breast milk (stored up to six month) to the new human milk collection center or be screened to donate in the future.

The community event will include breastfeeding resources and speakers from St. Joseph Hospital, Mothers’ Milk Bank, OC Heath Care Agency, PHFE WIC, First 5 Orange County, Cal Optima and Family Health Matters along with give-a-ways, prizes and refreshments. A celebration of nursing moms will also take place throughout the day.

“We know it takes a village to support the nursing journey and we are excited to play a role in collecting donor milk for families and babies who need it most,” said Sarah O’Rourke, MOMS Orange County’s Chief Program Officer.

According to experts, human breast milk is the optimal nutrition of choice for babies, and is especially needed for the most fragile and vulnerable infants in NICU care.

The new human milk collection center at MOMS Orange County will increase the region’s supply of donor breast milk which is also prescribed for infants of foster, adoptive or surrogate mothers or whose mothers are undergoing health issues that prevent breastfeeding.

The milk depot will be open at MOMS Orange County Monday- Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.momsorangecounty.org/milkbank.

About MOMS Orange County

MOMS Orange County formed 31 years ago in response to a crisis in access to prenatal healthcare for low-income, at-risk women. Today, MOMS Orange County serves more than 2,500 low-income families annually, directly influencing improvements in birth outcomes, maternal health, and developmental indicators among infants within a highly disadvantaged population.

For more information visit www.momsorangecounty.org/.

About Mothers’ Milk Bank

Mothers’ Milk Bank of San Jose is a charter member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Their mission is to enhance the availability and use of breast milk for all babies with a gold standard in processing donated breast milk for milk banking organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an advocate of their safe and effective approach to obtaining, pasteurizing, and dispensing human milk for use in NICUs and other settings.

For more information visit www.mothersmilk.org/.