Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Milk Donors Needed!

If you are interested in donating your frozen milk we would love to pursue it. We have found that frozen breast milk will stay frozen solid for days as long as it is in a styrofoam cooler with an appropriate amount of dry ice. 5lbs of dry ice per 24 hours is the amount required. The styrofoam cooler is lightweight and cheap - reducing shipping costs. It can be packed inside a cardboard box to reduce shipping wear and tear. We've been using the greyhound bus as it seems to be the quickest, most reliable and affordable transport within BC, Alberta and sask. I'm not sure about the other provinces - I think we'd have to air-courier it with Purolator, but I'm not sure.

I've approached both Fed-ex and Purolator about shipping sponsorship but neither of them have responded to my emails.

Coolers of breast milk can be sent collect on a greyhound bus to
Anaya Cassin-Potts
C/O Camara Cassin
Nelson, BC
250-509-0593 cell
250-229-4034 Home

Be sure to include the phone numbers on the parcel.

I am also trying to get our readers to donate a few dollars by the paypal button on the right to help pay for these shipping costs! If you have other nursing friends in your area why not all get together and fill a cooler with milk for Anaya?

If you are from farther away we are still trying to find a method to get the milk here. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

There is a lady with 1000 oz of frozen milk in New York, New York who would like to donate but our shipping estimate with Fed-Ex is $448.00. Please help us find a more cost effective shipping solution that will get the milk here within 48 hours! Do you know ANYONE travelling to BC from New York who could take it with them???

16 comments:

  1. Camara

    Please take the time to read the following website
    http://www.nationalmilkbank.org/

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  2. Hi Camara,

    I have a small amount of milk that I would like to send you from Vancouver and my friend is going to donate some of hers as well. Do you have any suggestions on where I can get dry ice?

    Also, do you know of any other Mom's from Vancouver that would like to add to my shipment? I would like to cover all the costs involved in shipping and was hoping to get together as much as I can.

    I also have a good Madela Swing breast pump that I would like to donate if you think you can use it.

    I hope that I can help out even if it is just a little bit. I have been so moved by your little Anaya.

    Carey

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  3. Are you happy receiving donations from anyone?

    I am a mother of 2, my son just turned one on Oct 30, so obviously my milk is more mature. I do not smoke, or do any drugs, I am not on any prescriptions, I do drink ocasionally, but would never drink withing 24 hrs of donating. I am not sure how much I could get, but I would be happy donating as much as possible. I plan to quit nursing Dec 1, but would be happy to continue donating there after.

    I did receive my flu shot Oct 18th, but was told it does not enter the milk supply. I very ocasionaly do take tylenol.

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  4. The National Milk Bank (NMB) is a nationwide organization that collects donated human milk, ensures milk safety and quality and makes it available for infants in need. We strive to make quality human breast milk available to all premature and critically-ill babies. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for all qualified donors across the United States to donated their milk by making the donor process convenient and confidential.

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  5. Serenity6364 and Carey, - Yes I'd love to talk to you both about milk donations. Please send me a private e-mail to maraglow @ gmail.com

    Love from me and Anaya,
    Camara

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  6. I spoke to my local La Leche League leader about your request for milk donations. While we are all very moved by your story, she explained to me that La Leche League can not come between mothers donating milk for legal and medical reasons. She did mention a milk bank in Vancouver that screens breast milk carefully and distributes it to babies in need. I'm not sure if you have heard of this milk bank before, but thought I would pass that along. Best of luck!

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  7. Camara, I'm 39w4d pregnant with my 3rd child, and I have always had the blessing/curse of oversupply... I will be lactating shortly, so I could start getting together a stash as soon as my milk comes in. In regards to shipping, I am friends with the owner of a local shipping outlet... let me have a chat to him.... and see what I can find out.

    I'll be praying for you guys, and your gorgeous girl. :)

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  8. I live in Washington state near Olympia and I know a lot of breastfeeding mamas that would willing to donate milk. I will spread the word and hopefully get out large amount. I will comment again when I have it all together. Have you tried the ticture More Milk Plus from the motherlove company http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=more+milk+plus&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9289341841329239552&ei=AqDTTPv9NIvAsAOG8vXaBw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q8wIwAA#ps-sellers. I've heard it help moms who adopt produce milk. I am so moved by your story and your love for your child! I hope you don't mind but I sent a letter to the Ellen show in hopes of her helping find a shipping sponsorship from someone. I also wrote a letter to Fed Ex.

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  9. Before I had read the above comments, I too had sent an e-mail to the Ellen show, with the hope that her influence could help with sponsorship of the milk transport. Maybe our plea will be heard.

    Quynn

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  10. As a friend of Camara and Anaya, it is so moving to see all you wonderful nursing mothers trying to help this wonderful family out. It is nice to see that there are no borders with love and compassion!!! Everyone's love and help is what really is what is aiding to keep Sweet Anaya alive and comfortable ... along with her family's unresting love and attention.

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  11. Could she send the milk from New York to "Ship Happens" in Sumas washington for much cheaper? then someone could pick it up in Sumas for you and ship it from Abbotsford/vancouver area to Nelson??

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  12. Hi. I am in NYC until Saturday Nov 13th and then returning home to Victoria via Toronto. I'm a midwife-- a friend forwarded me this blog. Maybe I can help with the 1000oz of milk...if you send me the info I will do everything I can.

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  13. Hello, I just read your article in the Calgary Herald today and I am deeply moved. My daughter was born premature in August and I pumped milk during her 7 week hospitalization. She may have a protein milk allergy so the milk that I pumped when I was eating dairy she can't have. I have a freezer full of expressed breastmilk. You are more than welcome to the milk if you would like. Please email me if you are interested: nursinggrl@hotmail.com. I live in Calgary. Best of luck. Maggie

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  14. Hi, I just learned about your story via Facebook. Have you heard of Eats on Feets? It's a brand-new international movement/organization, started by a mama in Montreal, designed to match mothers who need milk with mothers who have milk to share.

    You can find them on Facebook --http://www.facebook.com/EatsOnFeetsAlberta is the Alberta chapter, for instance.

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  15. Hi, me again -

    now I see the address listed there - but I'm also not sure about the dry ice thing. Wishing somehow I could just drive it over to you...hoping to help in any way I can.

    Love Laura

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  16. Hey I could help you out while your in Calgary. I could easily drop it off at the childrens hospital I have some in the freezer and could easily pump more.
    Marieke

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Please feel free to comment and send your LOVE!

:)