The Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank dispenses pasteurized donor milk to 54 NICUs across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, reaching more than 1,000 vulnerable newborns each year. Rich with macronutrients, breastmilk is more than food for medically fragile babies. It provides immune-boosting benefits and helps protect preemies’ developing digestive systems from nectrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) — a serious, potentially life-threatening gut disease.  

70% of the smallest preemies admitted to Ontario NICUs do not have access to a full supply of parental milk. Birth mothers often experience delays with their milk coming in, especially with the stresses of a preterm birth. Some are unable to breastfeed right away due to separation from babies transferred to high-acuity NICUs in hospitals far from home. Some must forego breastfeeding entirely due to medical complications or treatment, including women receiving chemotherapy for cancer diagnosed during pregnancy (the milk bank supports several such cases every year). Extending the gift of safe, pasteurized donor milk ‘from one mother to another,’ the milk bank offers healing and hope to babies and families in need. 

Established in 2013, the milk bank has grown in size and processing caapcity to support the nutritional needs of vulnerable infants hospitalized in NICUs across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. With planning for future expansion now underway, the milk bank has launched a pilot project to make safe, pasteurized donor milk accessible to recent NICU grads and other vulnerable babies in need. 

The proceeds from the hike aims to support the first phase of the pilot and provide milk for free to 200+ families. This will look like 'Go Home Packs' of bottles provided to families who need the supplement when they are discharged. 

Thank you for your generous support.