The Junior League of Albany organized a breastmilk donation bank for families nationwide.

The Problem

Julia Ewen, a JLA member, brought a problem to the league that was as old as time: some mothers struggled to produce enough milk to feed their babies. Also, many babies had dietary needs that could not be met with formula. In 1979, people had long forgotten about “wet nurses” and breast milk donation banks did not yet exist. 

JLA in ACTION

The JLA identified donors around the Capital region and produced flyers for hospitals and pediatricians to raise awareness of this need. JLA members picked up milk from donor moms, refrigerated it, then coordinated pickups and delivery to infants with a prescription from a doctor for donated milk. 

We secured donations of a generator & an upright freezer and raised money to pay for lab testing, publicity, and transportation of the milk by air & bus.

The Results

The JLA was able to deliver 464 gallons of breastmilk from over 500 donor moms to 26 babies in the Capital region, and as far as Florida & California, over 4 years.