20/05/2024
May 19th was designated as the βWorld Human Milk Donation Dayβ to especially celebrate the unique
donation of breastfeeding mothers to other mothers and their premature and sick babies. This yearβs theme is βππππ π’π§ ππ―ππ«π² ππ«π¨π© ππ¨π§ππππ, πππ
π π’π§ ππ―ππ«π² ππ«π¨π© π«ππππ’π―ππ!β This aims to highlight the selfless act of donating breastmilk as a way to provide life-sustaining nourishment to babies in need. It emphasizes the idea that every drop of donated breastmilk is a precious gift that symbolizes love, care and hope for the recipient.
To celebrate this special day, the City of Taguig with Taguig City Human Milk Bank and Taguig City Nutrition Office held a Grand Breastmilk Letting Activity at Taguig City University β Auditorium last May 14, 2024 which was participated by 300 breastmilk donors and was able to collect a total 32,960 ml of breastmilk. This activity aimed to collect enough breastmilk of the Cityβs own Human Milk Bank to ensure continuous supply of pasteurized breastmilk to babies in need.
During the activity, the Top 20 Breastmilk Donors who donated their breastmilk between May 2023 to April
2024, were given a Plaque of Appreciation to honor their selfless act and generosity in donating their
breastmilk. This recognition also serves as a form of motivation for current donors and inspire others to join in the program. It also creates a supportive environment where donors feel valued and appreciated for their altruistic actions.
Atty. Angely Alviar, the Top 1 Breastmilk Donor awardee who donated 88.2 liters of breastmilk, gave her testimony about her breastfeeding and breastmilk donation journey during the event.
βNoong una, the only reason of my donation was just to decongest my freezer until mayroong nanghingi
saken na milk para sa preemie baby whose mother was already dead. Doon ko naisip na, meron ibang
purpose bakit ako binayayaan ni Lord ng maraming breastmilk. Kaya naghanap ako sa facebook kung saan pwede magdonate ng gatas, at nakita ko ang Taguig City Human Milk Bank, since taga-ParaΓ±aque lang naman kami at Navy official ang asawa ko, pinapadala ko ang gatas ko sa Naval Hospital at doon pinipick-up ng TCHMB staff, very convenient para samen dahil hindi ko na kailangan pumunta pa sa milk bank. At nakakatuwa ung t-shirt na binigay nila sa akin, kaya tuwing nagpupunta ako ng grocery ay sinusuot ko ito hindi dahil wala akong ibang damit kundi ito ang way ko para ipaalam na merong ganitong programa at the same time hindi ko na kailangan magsalita sa iba because the t-shirt already speaks for meβ, Atty. Alviar said.
The βYAKAPβ (3-in-1 Baby Wrap) were given to 50 Breastmilk Donors with the most number of breastmilk donated during the activity. It can be used in 3 different ways:
β
Baby Carrier β allows the mother carry and hold her baby. It also allows the mother to move freely
and performs other tasks while keeping her baby protected.
β
Nursing Cover β can be used as nursing cover to ensure privacy during breastfeeding in public
places.
β
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) β can be used to wrap baby to provide skin to skin contact and
promote thermoregulation and mother-baby bonding.
All breastmilk donors also received free snacks and three kilos of Iron Fortified Rice. Free HIV, Hepatitis B
and Syphilis screening prior to donation were also provided by the Taguig Social Hygiene and Drop In Center headed by Dr. Diwata Arriola.
TCHMB would like to thank the City Officials of Taguig headed by Mayor Lani Cayetano, Dr. Cecil Montales, Dr. Marie Irene Sy, Dr. Norena Osano, Mam Julie Bernabe, Dr. Anna Richie Quilatan and TPDH Top Management, Lactation Management Committee and TCHMB Head, Dr. Deogenes Fetalvero Jr. for their unwavering support to the program.
