San Jose Mothers Milk Bank

MEET AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL HEALTH NEED BY COLLECTING, PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTING HUMAN MILK.

THE ORGANIZATION COLLECTS EXCESS BREAST MILK FROM VOLUNTEER BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS, STORES THE BREAST MILK FOR OPTIMAL NUTRITIONAL VALUE, PROCESSES THE BREAST MILK TO REMOVE VIRUSES AND BACTERIA THAT MAY CAUSE ILLNESS AND DISTRIBUTES THE DONOR HUMAN MILK TO HOSPITALS AND FAMILIES. AS A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE HUMAN MILK BANKING ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA (HMBANA), THE ORGANIZATION'S STANDARDS OF PROCESSING DONATED BREAST MILK ARE THE BASIS OF OPERATION FOR ALL MILK BANKING ORGANIZATIONS. MOTHERS' MILK BANK IS LICENSED AS A TISSUE BANK IN CALIFORNIA AND MARYLAND AND REGISTERED WITH THE FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA).DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO OPERATE UNDER CHALLENGES RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CONTINUED ITS MISSION OF ENHANCING THE AVAILABILITY OF HUMAN BREAST MILK TO BABIES. THE STRONG INVENTORY RESERVE OF RAW DONOR BREAST MILK ALLOWED THE ORGANIZATION TO DISTRIBUTE 871,187 OUNCES OF PASTEURIZED DONOR MILK, 13% OVER PREVIOUS YEAR. HOSPITAL AND OUTPATIENT DEMAND FOR PASTEURIZED DONOR HUMAN MILK INCREASED AND THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO MEET 100% OF THE ORDERS. THE ORGANIZATION IMPROVED MILK PROCESSING BY BUILDING A DEDICATED MILK THAWING ROOM WHICH PROVIDED A MORE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT FOR THAWING AND INCREASED RAW DONOR MILK STORAGE CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE A LARGER INVENTORY RESERVE BY EXPANDING AN EXISTING WALK-IN FREEZER.THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED OFFERING VIRTUAL MILK DRIVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THE ABILITY TO PROMOTE MILK DONATIONS AND GIVE MILK DONORS THE ABILITY TO DONATE FROM THE SAFETY AND COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME. THE ORGANIZATION ADDED FOUR NEW MILK COLLECTION CENTERS, EXPANDING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MILK COLLECTION CENTERS TO 14. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE; BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAMS, WIC SERVICES, AND HOSPITAL-BASED SERVICES AS POPULATIONS NEED. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, PHYSICIANS, AND HOSPITALS TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF MILK DONATION AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PASTEURIZED DONOR MILK. BREAST PUMP SERVICES CONTINUE TO RISE THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO EXPAND SERVICES BEYOND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ASSURE BABIES WHO NEED DONOR MILK HAVE ACCESS.PROGRAMS INCLUDE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAMS, WIC SERVICES, AND HOSPITAL-BASED SERVICES AS POPULATIONS NEED. MILK DRIVES WERE ALSO INCLUDED IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR PHYSICIANS. ORGANIZATIONALLY, SAN JOSE MOTHERS' MILK BANK EXPANDED MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OF THE MILK BANK, SOCIAL MEDIA AND LABORATORY SERVICES THIS YEAR. BREAST PUMP SERVICES ARE EXPANDING THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND CONTINUE TO RISE IN DISTRIBUTION AS MORE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ARE BECOMING BABY FRIENDLY. ADDITIONALLY, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES ARE IN PROGRESS WITH THE NEW MARKETING MANAGER. THE ORGANIZATION IS NOW EXPANDING OUR SERVICES BEYOND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ASSURE BABIES WHO NEED DONOR MILK HAVE ACCESS.