New breast milk drop site opens in Fort McMurray

FORT McMURRAY – Alberta Health Services (AHS) and NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank are excited to announce the opening of a local milk drop.

Located in the Fort McMurray Public Health Unit (113 Thickwood Blvd.), the milk drop will serve as a site for approved breastfeeding mothers to drop off their milk, which is then sent to Calgary to be pasteurized and distributed to sick babies in hospitals and communities across Canada.

“I am thrilled this milk drop is opening. As a breastfeeding mother, I am deeply supportive of initiatives like this one that help provide greater access to the health benefits of breast milk for premature babies and those suffering from medical issues,” says Brandy Payne, Associate Minister of Health. “I also wish to thank the donor mothers for their involvement in such an important program.”

“We are thrilled to be working alongside NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank on this initiative,” says Jennifer Splaine, AHS Public Health Area Manager for Fort McMurray. “Fort McMurray is a young, growing community and we know many mothers will be interested in participating in this important, life-changing donor program. Scientific research supports that babies who receive donor human milk become stronger and more resilient, reducing their time in hospital and reducing the likelihood of being sicker as children and adults.”

This milk drop is also made possible with support from the Northern Lights Health Foundation towards AHS’ Baby-Friendly Initiative, which encourages families to make informed decisions for their babies. Foundation funds were used to purchase a freezer that will keep the milk donations safely stored before transport.

NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank is Canada’s only community-based milk bank. The agency’s goal is to connect donor human milk with as many sick and fragile babies as possible. Donors are screened and milk is triaged, ensuring the sickest babies receive the milk first.

Donors are not compensated for their milk; rather, they give to support those babies who need the life-saving elements of donor human milk. This year, the milk bank will dispense more than 130,000 ounces (more than 1,000 gallons) of donor human milk. Premature babies who spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) depend on human milk for its life-saving benefits.

“The Fort McMurray Milk Drop location is one of 11 drop locations to open in the Prairie provinces,” says Jannette Festival, Executive Director of the NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank. “In opening this drop location, we hope to encourage Fort McMurray mothers to participate in something that changes lives: milk banking. Indeed, every precious drop counts to sick and fragile babies, and Fort McMurray women who are breastfeeding have the opportunity to help.”

For more information about the milk bank and how to become a donor, visit the milk bank’s website at northernstarmilkbank.ca. For more information about Fort McMurray’s Milk Drop hours, please call 780-791-6247.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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