In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Hannibal Regional Auxiliary wanted to help out a local family. Through partnering with a local company they were able to raise funds to help a young mother and her daughter by “adopting the family”. With the generous donations of many members and friends the auxiliary was able to purchase bedding for both the mother and daughter as well as some pillows, lots of clothing, some toys, household items and much more. Karen Sutor, President of Hannibal Regional Auxiliary said “Giving back is what our organization is all about and it is especially meaningful to know that we have had a positive impact during the holiday season.

Help us make Hannibal Regional Auxiliary even stronger! If you like to help others, organize, create, cook, network and contribute to your community, come join us as part of the Auxiliary. For more information call 573-248-5272.

Hannibal Regional is partnering with The Milk Bank to open a new milk depot site in Missouri. This milk collection site is only the fourth in Missouri and provides a convenient drop off for women to donate their extra breast milk for processing at The Milk Bank. After processing, the milk is then delivered to fragile infants in hospital neonatal intensive care units.

“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,” stated Janice O’Rourke, Executive Director of The Milk Bank.

Hannibal Regional joins Amber Sky in Maplewood, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, and Little Flower Family Medicine in O’Fallon serving as a milk depot site.

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

Approved donors for The Milk Bank will be able to drop off their human milk donations at Hannibal Regional and from there to The Milk Bank, where it will be processed then provided to neonates throughout the Midwest. If you are interested in learning more, visit themilkbank.org/donate or contact: Diane Bibb, MSN, RN, IBCLC, and Lactation Consultant for Hannibal Regional Healthcare System at 573-406-2122.

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, careful screening and processing, provides human milk to fragile premature babies in neonatal/newborn intensive care units. The Milk Bank is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. For more information regarding The Milk Bank’s mission, core programs and donation opportunities, visit themilkbank.org or call (317) 536-1670.