Save Lives: Support the Mothers' Milk Bank of New England

Help support the Mothers' Milk Bank of New England (MMBNE) by voting for them at Ideablob. By taking just a few minutes to register and vote you can make a difference in the lives of infants! MMBNE has the potential of winning $10,000 through ideablob if they are the winning non-profit group for January. As a newly formed organization, these monies could be life changing for countless babies, mothers and families in the nation, specifically on the east coast.

Currently, there are only 10 milk banks in the US and one in Canada. Once the MMBNE opens it will be number 12 in North America. Milk banks provide donated (pasteurized) breastmilk to infants- particularly to premature babies, those who are failing to thrive, or those with a major illness or disease. If you'd like to know more about the Mothers' Milk Bank of Ohio in Columbus- check it out.

The Mothers' Milk Bank of New England is a non-profit milk bank serving babies, hospitals, and families throughout New England. The Milk Bank will provide screened and pasteurized breastmilk to premature and critically ill babies, primarily in neonatal intensive care units. This milk will be donated by volunteer mothers in our region. For sick and premature babies, breastmilk can mean the difference between life and death, and a short or long hospital stay. Studies have shown that premature babies who receive banked milk are far less likely to suffer life-threatening complications and have much faster recovery rates.

What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
1) Processing and storage equipment. $5,000 for the purchase of equipment; freezers, pasteurizers, refrigerator, etc.
2) Milk Money Fund. Insurance doesn't always cover the cost of donor milk. $3,000 would be for our Milk Money Fund, to provide donor milk to families who cannot afford the processing and shipping fees. 3) Start-up marketing costs. $2,000 for publicizing the Milk Bank in our region, particularly to recruit potential milk donors i.e. radio public service announcements, web and print materials to educate the parents and medical providers about milk donation and use.