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 MoreThis is how big the smiles get at Hearts these days – It was Steve’s first delivery of donor milk for Serv Herts and Beds, 24 hours after his induction! He was shown the ropes by Eileen, an experienced former neonatal and cleft palate nurse who has been volunteering with us once a week for several […]
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This weekend, milk banks and NICUs worldwide celebrated World Human Milk Donation Day! For everyone working in human milk banks, today is the day above all others when we consider the global nature of human milk donation. There are currently over 600 milk banks operating in at least 60 countries around the world. We recognise […]
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Read the interview with Dr Natalie Shenker published in the Independent today. Adding to the evidence base surrounding donor milk is one of our driving goals – to allow research to happen that doctors and scientists have been waiting years to do. Like every start up we need help and support. Please continue to donate whatever you […]
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As the year comes to an end, we thought we’d put together a few of our accomplishments throughout 2017. We owe a lot of people a lot of thank yous, and hope that this will give a smile to all of you out there who have supported and continue to support us in so many […]
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We’ve been busy recruiting donors and pasteurising milk for 4 months, and have built up large stocks. Milk is now leaving our doors to hospitals for use on neonatal units, and also to mothers in the community who have medical reasons that mean they cannot breastfeed. We are delighted, and so grateful to all who […]
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This is Naomi and Jo. They have been volunteering at the Hearts Milk Bank since May. They check, sort and pasteurise the milk donated by scores of wonderful mums, so that it is ready to feed tiny babies in neonatal units across our region. They have been very busy. In the last three months, they have pasteurised over 150 […]
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The Hearts Milk Bank is proud to be supported by a host of leading professionals from a range of different backgrounds. These experts lend their knowledge and guidance pro bono, and we are incredibly grateful for their support. Microbiology and Donor Screening Dr Jim Gray has been a Consultant Microbiologist at Birmingham Children’s and Women’s Hospitals in England […]
Read MoreFirstly, thank you so much! Demand for donor milk has been increasing all year, and
Read moreSince we last posted about the novel coronavirus outbreak in January, there has been significant
Read moreAfter our recent appeal for someone to run the London Marathon and raise funds for
Read moreGiven the increasing concern around the new Coronavirus developing in China (called nCov-2019), the HMB
Read morePlease watch our video on our first year as a charity, and get in touch
Read more
Find out what is involved and whether donor milk is appropriate for your child.
Find out how