We are delighted that the Kent Donor Milk Hub is now operational! Based at Darent Valley Hospital, this innovation is enabling hospitals across Kent that care for tiny premature babies to access donor milk more quickly. The bloodbike volunteers of SERV Kent and SERV Herts and Beds are also able to save many road miles […]
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As we gathered today for a team meeting, it was time to reflect on an amazing year in 2021 and gather our thoughts for goal-setting for 2022. The work of last year has laid some amazing foundations as we strive to make sure that donor milk is available for all babies who might benefit. Demand […]
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As a milk bank that supplies into the NHS to feed some of the most vulnerable babies, it is critically important that our services are as safe as possible. In fact, everything we do has safety at heart, and every year we conduct an audit against the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Clinical […]
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Last year, thanks to the support of everyone who donated to the Human Milk Foundation, we supported over 100 women facing breastfeeding challenges beyond our work to supply neonatal intensive care units. One was lovely Julia, who suffers from severe multiple sclerosis (MS). This meant that soon after giving birth, she had to restart powerful […]
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We are seeking a full time or part time member of our lab team! If you live near Rothamsted Institute, have experience in food processing or laboratory work, or have an interest in this area that you would love to develop, please read on. Working closely with the Technical Services Coordinator, our Donor Recruitment Coordinator, […]
Read MoreWomen in the UK are now able to receive vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 after a change in guidance by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). For women who receive a COVID-19 vaccination while donating milk to Hearts, please let the team know on the screening questionnaire, but there is […]
Read MoreWe have seen a 100% increase in the need for donor milk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have had to scale up all milk bank operations, providing donor milk to scores of babies in hospital neonatal intensive care and at home. Sadly, our funding has taken a huge cut and we now urgently need to […]
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Firstly, thank you so much! Demand for donor milk has been increasing all year, and we are working hard to make sure supplies to neonatal intensive care units are preserved no matter what. Secondly, there is at the moment no evidence that the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is transmitted through human milk. Only six cases […]
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Since we last posted about the novel coronavirus outbreak in January, there has been significant spread of this virus across the world. As this is a new virus, there are still major gaps in our knowledge about whether SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is transmissible through breastmilk. From what we know of who the […]
Read MoreAfter our recent appeal for someone to run the London Marathon and raise funds for us along the way we had an amazing response. Thank you to all of you who got in touch, and we hope you will all find an opportunity over the year to run to help tiny babies! But we […]
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Given the increasing concern around the new Coronavirus developing in China (called nCov-2019), the HMB team consulted the consultant microbiologist who advises us on screening last Thursday. This is obviously a developing situation and there are currently no confirmed cases in the UK. However, given news over the weekend, we felt it important to publish […]
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Please watch our video on our first year as a charity, and get in touch if you’d like to support us over the months and years to come! Click on the image below to watch: After 2 years of frantic set-up and start-up phases as a Community Interest Company, we merged the Hearts Milk Bank […]
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Mum Natalie wrote to us last night about her experience of being in hospital with a premature baby. “I received donor milk for my 32 weeker. The hospital I was in arranged this and I could not be more grateful to the super women that donate their milk. I was extremely unwell and it took […]
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This emailed in today from a very brave mummy ❤️ “I was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer in 2015, just after my 36th birthday, which resulted in a strong course of treatment and a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, I was told that the chemotherapy had affected my fertility and, as a result, I […]
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Days are busy at Hearts, but sometimes we receive an email that stops us in our tracks and makes our work magical. Ruth wrote to describe her experience of having a much-hoped for baby after surviving cancer, and the difference donor milk made: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33 […]
Read MoreWe are delighted that the Kent Donor Milk Hub is now operational! Based at Darent
Read moreAs we gathered today for a team meeting, it was time to reflect on an
Read moreAs a milk bank that supplies into the NHS to feed some of the most
Read moreLast year, thanks to the support of everyone who donated to the Human Milk Foundation,
Read moreWe are seeking a full time or part time member of our lab team! If
Read moreWomen in the UK are now able to receive vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that
Read more
Find out what is involved and whether donor milk is appropriate for your child.
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