Grand Opening of Human Milk Bank

The Clay County Health Department and the Effingham County Health Department are partnering with The Milk Bank to open two new milk depot sites in Illinois in hopes of providing complete nutrition to premature and ill infants. Similar depots are in operation all over the states of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), human milk is the only substance that is an ideal food for premature and sick infants. It is easily digested by infants and saves thousands of dollars for new parents. With more premature and ill infants needing this milk daily, the need for human milk depots increases throughout the country.

The Milk Bank is a community-supported, not-for-profit organization that was launched in 2005. The Milk Bank believes that human milk is best for all babies, and through the generosity of mothers, provides breast milk to fragile premature babies in neonatal/newborn intensive care units. It is the only human milk bank in Indiana and one of 20 in North America.

Approved donors for The Milk Bank will be able to drop off their human milk donations at both the Clay County Health Department and the Effingham County Health Department where the milk will be frozen and then transported to The Milk Bank in Indianapolis, Indiana where it will be processed then provided to neonates throughout the Midwest. Milk Depot locations make the process of donating more convenient for donors.

Both organizations will be celebrating with a grand opening on February 14. The Effingham County Health Department’s celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. while the Clay County Health Department ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. There will be representatives from the Milk Bank of Indianapolis, Indiana to further educate the public of the benefits of supporting The Milk Bank.

The Clay County Health Department is located at 601 East 12th Street, Flora, IL 62839. The Effingham County Health Department is located at 901 West Virginia Avenue, Effingham, IL 62401.  For more information, phone (317) 536-1670.