TrueCare to hold Annual Breast Milk Drive and Health Fair

SAN MARCOS – TrueCare’s annual Breast Milk Drive and Health Fair is Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. TrueCare is hosting the breast milk drive, in partnership with the University of California Health Milk Bank, to provide safe, nutritious, pasteurized human donor milk to babies in need.

The health fair will also include a community blood drive with the San Diego Blood Bank. The event takes place at TrueCare’s San Marcos Health Center located at 150 Valpreda Road, San Marcos.

Attendees can pick up bags of fresh produce, diapers, goodie bags for mothers and babies, educational materials, and resources for breastfeeding and overall health care, while supplies last.

TrueCare community partners participating at the half-day event also include Feeding San Diego and Palomar Medical Center. TrueCare’s WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Chiropractic, Behavioral Health and Dental departments will be on hand to showcase their specialty services and provide wellness information and support, such as lactation consultations, chair stretches for breastfeeding moms, dental screenings, and much more.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for 6 months and older will also be available inside the health center on a walk-in basis.

Due to the recent baby formula shortage, human breast milk is in high demand and more important than ever. “Moms participating in TrueCare’s breast milk drive will significantly help to increase milk reserves for high-risk infants,” said Chanelle Calhoun, MD, who has served TrueCare’s youngest patients for 26 years as a board-certified pediatrician. “Our providers endeavor to offer inclusive, equitable and culturally sensitive care that helps moms reach their intended goals, which ultimately yields great health benefits for the family and community as a whole.”

In addition, recent new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that if possible, mothers continue breastfeeding for two years or beyond. These recommendations align with guidelines provided by the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Canadian Pediatric Society.

“TrueCare welcomes the updated AAP Breastfeeding Guidelines,” added Dr. Calhoun. “They reflect our commitment as a Breastfeeding Friendly Health Center (BFHC) to support moms who choose to breastfeed beyond one year, recognizing the health benefits for mom and baby.”

To donate breast milk, a 100-ounce minimum donation along with pre-registration are required at the University of California Health Milk Bank portal at https://uchealth.service-now.com/csp. Moms can conveniently get their blood screened (required before donating breast milk) at the bloodmobile on site. To learn more about donating breast milk, moms may email [email protected] or call 858-249-MILK (6455).

To schedule to donate blood (walk-ins welcome; blood drive runs until 2 p.m.), go to https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/74294.

During the health fair, TrueCare partners and wellness services will provide:

· Free diapers, goodie bags that include sippy cups, books, recipes, and more

· Education on childbirth, breastfeeding and resources for support

· Bilingual lactation consultants

· Fresh produce and food distribution with Feeding San Diego

· COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for 6 months and older

· Blood drive with San Diego Blood Bank

· Dental screenings/fluoride varnish

· Other well-being and health services on site

For more information, visit https://truecare.org.

Submitted by TrueCare.