Campbell River’s new breast milk collection depot is welcoming a Quadra Island mother as its first donor.
According to a release from Island Health, after feeding her six-month-old son each morning, Freya Bellemare often had extra milk.
Bellemare said she heard about the depot from a public health nurse when she took her son for immunization.
“I wasn’t aware that some babies rely on donated milk because they can’t have formula,” said Bellemare. “And there is always a need.”
Bellemare completed the screening process and became the first donor to the new depot, which opened in the fall of last year.
According to Island Health, donor milk can be a life-saving measure, providing antibodies that help fight disease and infection in premature babies and those born with medical conditions.
The health authority said Bellemare has donated 80 ounces, or 2.4 litres, so far.
“It’s rewarding. It feels good to be able to do it,” she said.
