Northwest Mothers Milk Bank
Mission
Our mission is to improve the health and survival of the Pacific Northwest’s most vulnerable infants.
Bottom Line for Portland
NWMMB has been serving premature and medically complex infants in our community for over a decade. These high-risk babies deserve all the support possible for a healthy outcome, including life-saving donor milk. We believe that parents who can’t breastfeed deserve fair and equitable access to safe, appropriate nutrition for their children. When you donate to NWMMB through Give!Guide, you join our mission to increase access to donor milk for babies who need it to survive and thrive.
Quote
Lizzy’s newborn, Murphy, was rushed to the NICU when he struggled to breathe after birth. Mother and baby were separated to receive care at two different hospitals, and it was during this separation that Lizzy learned her baby's heart hadn't fully developed. He had a blood clot in an artery between his heart and lungs.
During the hardest week of her life, Lizzy was relieved to know that another mom, some nearby stranger right here in the Northwest, shared her extra breastmilk with NWMMB to provide for her son while they both recovered. NWMMB screened and pasteurized the donor milk to be completely safe for her medically complex child.
When the scariest part of their journey was over, with Murphy growing, giggling, and healing at home and Lizzy receiving lactation support, she felt inspired to become a milk donor herself.
Lizzy has this message for other parents in her position: “I decided to donate as a way to heal from some of the trauma around [Murphy’s] birth… I do this because I’ve been there, and I know how devastating it feels. I do this because, even though we haven’t met, I know your child is wonderful, just like you, and they deserve the world and more. I know my kiddo sure does.”
Photo credit: Natalie Woodrum, Here Today Photography
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
NWMMB is dedicated to serving all infants and families within our community whatever their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, age, education, disability, or socioeconomic status. As an allied health partner in maternal-child health, we are well aware of the disparities in opportunities and outcomes along racial lines. We are committed to increasing access to donor milk and addressing the inequities that exist in the field of human milk banking.
Incentives
Donate during Big Concert Day on 11/1 and you'll be entered to win these prizes:
A free photo session with Julie the Photographer!
A raffle basket made by our friends at PDX Diaper Bank—and yours truly!
All the Big Give Day stuff, including Billie Eilish concert tickets!
Donate during Big Music Day on 12/27 and you'll be entered to win these prizes:
A free photo session with Crystal Genes Photography!
All the Big Give Day stuff, including tickets to Pickathon!
Partner(s)
Thanks to our community partners:
Northwest Mothers Milk Bank is in the Health category which is sponsored by CareOregon.
They're a medium-sized organization with activities in Clackamas Co., Multnomah Co., Washington Co. and beyond.