The University of California Health Milk Bank created the Cherry Blossom Family Program to provide support and empower families to make decisions regarding lactation after the loss of a child. The grief journey looks different for everyone. Our hope is to fill a much-needed gap in service by providing education, supplies, and support so families can comfortably suppress or pump and donate if they choose.
Milk donation can be a time for healing; a time to connect with their child, take control of an unimaginable situation, and save the lives of other babies.
Cherry Blossom Mural and Bags
The cherry blossom flower is the most beautiful flower with shortest life span and represents the fragility and beauty of life.
There is no obligation to donate, we are here to be a small healing piece for families during this difficult journey. The University of California Health Milk Bank provides Cherry Blossom bags which contain a double electric breast pump or hand pump, breast pump parts, collection bags, memory stone, and bereavement flyer. This assistance is offered to any family in need and can be requested by family or a provider. We also work closely with hospitals to provide bags and support so families can be given resources prior to discharge from the hospital.
"Obviously, I was grieving the loss of my baby at the same time. So there was a lot going on. But it gave me this sense of...like he had a purpose, and that was to help other babies with this milk. And I wanted to help other moms, who maybe their baby survived, and they were in the NICU, and they were stressed out and couldn't produce milk. I could help them."
"You get to that moment when you lose a child... I feel like you always want to keep their light shining. And that was sort of the one way to be able to that. And so it... it wasn't like, 'oh, yeah, I'm awesome for doing that.' It was like... 'here is what [my baby] was able to give to another baby' kind of a thing. I got a lot of very positive and sweet messages once I posted that, too. it was beautiful."
"I hate saying the words, 'it's okay, or it'll be okay,' because it will never be okay. This is never...it's never going be at all. But finding the people to put in your corner is a big thing, and that helps [you] get through the terrible days...and it will never to okay. But you will be okay."
Learn More
Contact Us
858-249-MILK (6455)
ucmilkbank@health.ucsd.edu
3636 Gateway Center Ave.
Suite 102
San Diego, CA 92102