Quincy Medical Group announces opening of milk depot for infants in need

QUINCY — In partnership with the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, Quincy Medical Group is opening a new milk depot. The milk depot will be located at the QMG Women’s Health Center on the second floor of QMG’s 1118 Hampshire location.

The milk depot provides a place for pre-approved donors from Quincy and surrounding communities to drop off their extra breastmilk to help babies who need it. The donated milk is transported to the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, where it is pasteurized to eliminate any viruses and bacteria. After pasteurization, the milk is tested once again for safety before distribution.

Jinnie Hoggarth, relationship manager at Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, said in a press release, “We aim to serve the entire state of Illinois by providing access to life-saving donor milk. By establishing a milk depot with Quincy Medical Group, we can reach families in an expanded service area, which directly increases our milk supply.”

When mothers are unable to produce enough breast milk for their babies, donor milk can provide the important nutrients for babies to grow and thrive. The addition of the milk depot at QMG helps make it possible and convenient for area mothers with extra milk to help infants in need.

“Our team here at QMG is committed to the health and care of women and infants. We are honored to partner with Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes to provide an opportunity for local women to give the gift of donor milk,” QMG Obstetrician/Gynecologist Katy Wand said.

Most of the pasteurized donor human milk dispensed by Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western
Great Lakes is delivered to Illinois and Wisconsin hospitals for use primarily in the NICU or Mother Baby Unit. Donor milk is distributed to the most at-risk babies and can be lifesaving for
preterm infants in protecting babies against life-threatening diseases.

Interested donors can get started by going online at https://www.milkbankwgl.org/.The Mothers’
Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes provides detailed information on how to get started. For
more information, visit https://quincymedgroup.com/milkdepot.