Trust makes appeal for Derry donor mums to help provide essential lifesaving breast milk

The Western Trust’s Human Milk Bank service based at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen is making a fresh appeal for more donor mums to come forward over the busy summer months and help to provide essential lifesaving donor breast milk for babies in Neonatal Units throughout the whole of Ireland.

Susan Rogers, Lead Nurse for Public Health at the Western Trust expressed her thanks to all our Human Milk Bank donors for their support. 

She said: "We are indebted to our donor mums who have continued to provide essential donor breast milk for babies in neonatal units in hospitals throughout the whole of Ireland.  The Human Milk Bank staff are working very hard to ensure this vital service remains available to all our vulnerable premature babies as the demand for donor expressed breast milk at this time is exceptionally high.”

Susan continued: “We are continuing to experience a high demand for human milk over the summer period. Last year the Human Milk Bank provided over 1,000 litres of donor breast milk to units across 27 hospitals throughout Ireland.  This precious lifesaving donor milk has helped 783 premature babies, of which 223 were either a twin or a triplet.  Breast milk gives premature and sick babies the best possible start in life as it helps build their immune system, their eye and brain development and prevents against devastating diseases which can affect premature or low birth weight babies.  We have been very busy processing requests for donor milk to neonatal units across the province and in the Republic of Ireland over the past number of months. It is essential that we recruit donors on a continual basis.  I would appeal to expectant mums to consider becoming a donor and for anyone to help spread the word about the Human Milk Bank as this is the best way to help us recruit new donors!  We are also extremely grateful for the support of the Voluntary Blood Bikers, who continue to help support the transport of this much needed donor breast milk in all weather conditions.”   

Susan added: “We have so many wonderful supporters who kindly help us raise awareness of our Human Milk Bank service on social media channels. This helps us to spread the word throughout Ireland of the need for donor mums to come forward to keep this vital service going.

“If you would like to find out more about the Human Milk Bank and becoming a donor please contact the Human Milk Bank on Tel: (028) 6862 8333 or email tmb.swah@westerntrust.hscni.net. Thank you for your continued support.”