We’re happy to announce the openings of VCH’s first breast milk bank depots. Now, rather than trekking to BC Women’s Hospital, new moms can drop off their extra breast milk at Raven Song Community Health Centre (2450 Ontario Street).

Another location in Vancouver, at Evergreen Community Health Centre, will open in the fall. Women in other areas within VCH can drop off at Squamish CHC, West Vancouver CHC and Richmond Public Health.

The donations will be delivered to the Provincial Milk Bank at BC Women’s Hospital where it will be screened and pasteurized to be redistributed to babies in need across NICUs within BC.

The opening of the milk depots will allow mothers in the area who are able to donate, to easily drop off their donations, thus hopefully increasing the amount of donated milk. We’re relying on staff to help us champion and inform mothers about the gift they can provide to premature and sick babies in need. Studies have shown human milk to be the best form of nutrition for babies especially those that are born premature and extremely ill.

Who can donate?

Healthy mothers with extra milk and, sometimes in sad cases bereaved mothers who have lost their baby and would like to help other sick babies.

For more info about BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank and a list of depots now accepting donations, visit www.bcwomens.ca/our-services/labour-birth-post-birth-care/milk-bank.