March 2024 Newsletter 

Beau's Milk Depot

 

the 18th Milk Drop Depot at Southern Tennessee

Regional Health System of Winchester

 

On February 14, we celebrated the opening of the 18th Milk Drop Depot at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System of Winchester (STRHS). Milk Drop Depots are strategic partners that provide convenient collection sites for approved donors.

 

The Depot at STRHS is named in honor of the depot’s first milk donor, Meagan Kurtz’s son, Beau who passed away after he and his twin brother were born at 25 weeks gestation.

 

“Rather than his journey ending when he unfortunately passed away after just one short week, his memory will live on as mothers are able to donate their milk through this local depot to help those like Beau, and his surviving brother, who need a little extra love and support in their beginning,” said Megan Kurtz.

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Micah is not only a milk donor but she’s also a mom to a baby that received donor human milk in the NICU. Micah’s story is filled with loss, hope and love. We are honored she wanted to share her story and her son’s excess milk.

 

“My husband and I tried to have a baby for 9 years. Last year, we had our miracle boy. Although, the entire pregnancy was full of hurdles every step of the way. I was scared that we would lose this little one just like our daughter that I lost to preterm labor at 23 weeks the year before.

 

I was hospitalized on bed rest with this little one, I was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. He was born at 29 weeks and although he was very healthy and had very high scoring APGARS, he was looking at a long stay in the NICU.

 

I was planning to breastfeed him and wanted breast milk for him while he was in the NICU, but I hadn’t started producing yet. I was getting pretty discouraged when a nurse told me, ‘You know we have a milk bank that we can give him donor milk from.’ I was elated!

 

After my milk finally came in, I was not only able to feed my baby, but I also was an over producer. With the bottles of milk being stored up we also found out that our baby had a milk protein sensitivity so all the milk I had stored would not be able to be used. I was a little crushed but then I realized that I had an opportunity to give back to the same organization that helped save my little one. I completed the application process and promptly donated the over 306 ounces I had to the Milk Bank. I was so glad that I could help give another family hope in the same way that I was given hope. This organization doesn’t just save babies, but it gives hope to worried mamas as well."

- Micah.

Please join us to celebrate the impact of our organization and recognize our valued partners and supporters at Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee's Annual Meeting. There is no cost to attend. Refreshments will be provided. We kindly request that you register in advance.

 

If you are not able to attend in-person but wish to attend virtually, please select the virtual option on the registration form. We will email you the viewing link one week prior to the annual meeting.

Register

 

 

MMBTN Executive Director's Corner

Susan Campbell, MD, IBCLC

I hope you will make plans to attend our Annual Meeting on Monday, March 25 at 7 pm (CST) at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. I look forward to this event every year. It is a time of great reflection and celebration.

 

Our Annual Meeting allows me the opportunity to recognize our valued donors, supporters, volunteers and leadership. It is humbling to think about the number of people working together each day in order to fulfil our mission and care for our state's most fragile babies.

 

There is so much growth and momentum at Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee right now. As the need for donor human milk continues to rapidly increase, Tennessee moms are answering the calls for support. In the last two months, we have implemented new strategies to reach more prospective donors. I am thrilled to report that our work is already yielding great results. Over the last 30 days, we have seen an increase of 41% in donor screenings.

 

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy.

Thank you to our photo contest participants. We loved each of your submissions. Congratulations to our winner, Talyia.

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Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee

2909 Old Fort Parkway, Suite 105, Murfreesboro, TN 37128

615-933-8877 | info@milkbanktn.org | milkbanktn.org