At a press conference Wednesday morning, representatives of Hannibal Regional Hospital announced a partnership with The Milk Bank—a non-profit organization that provides safe breast milk from donors to babies in need. Hannibal Regional Hospital is the thirty-third “milk depot” in the country and only the fourth in Missouri.

The drop-off location offers area donors a quick and easy way to donate unused breast milk which is then processed and delivered to neonatal intensive care units of hospitals in need throughout the Midwest. Previously the closest drop-off site was Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Shipping was also a viable, though complex, option for potential donors.

“The Milk Bank hopes to continue forging partnerships with organizations throughout the Midwest in order to make the process of human milk donation easier for donor moms and families, while also helping to support breastfeeding in local communities,” Janice O’Rourke, Executive Director of The Milk Bank, says.

The program is completely free to all donors who qualify.

According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, human milk is the standard food for all infants as it provides optimal nutrition and unique health benefits that last beyond infancy.

For more information on the program, contact Diane Bibb, MSN, RN, IBCLC, and Lactation Consultant for Hannibal Regional at 573-406-2122.

Hannibal Regional serves residents of the tri-state area from more than ten locations and includes Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal Regional, Medical Group, and Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation.

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