The Campbell River Health Unit will soon become an official Donor Milk Collection Depot for BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank.

The depot, at the Campbell River Health Unit,  will provide a space for screened donors to drop off their excess raw, frozen breast milk.

It’s transported to the Provincial Milk Bank at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre in Vancouver where it’s pasteurized and distributed to neonatal intensive care, maternity and pediatric units across the province.

“Some people who give birth to a preterm baby struggle to provide their own breast milk and some infants may be too sick to breastfeed,” says Island Health Public Health Manager Carolyn Hutton.

“Pasteurized donor milk can be a life saving measure for these infants, providing babies with antibodies to fight disease and infection which is especially vital for premature or babies battling medical conditions.”

Hutton received donor milk herself 17 years ago when her twins were born premature.

As of this week, donors, once screened by the milk bank, can drop off their breast milk Monday to Wednesday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Potential donors can find out about eligibility via the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre’s website.

For details, visit Island Health.