Each year in the United States, approximately 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely. Prematurity Awareness Month in November provides an important opportunity to raise awareness about preterm birth and to support efforts that improve outcomes for these vulnerable infants.
Human milk is the recommended source of nutrition for all infants and is especially critical for those born premature or medically fragile. When a mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk plays a vital role in filling this gap. Donor milk has been shown to improve health outcomes and significantly reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and potentially life-threatening intestinal condition.
To support infants in need, University of Calfornia Health Milk Bank is partnering with UCSF to host a Milk Drive this November. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference – just one bag of donated milk can help nourish a premature infant for an entire day.
In-Person Human Milk Drive Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 
Time: 11a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Mission Bay Child Development Center
727 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 95158
Donor Eligibility – Approved Donors Only
The UC Health Milk Bank currently accepts:
- Frozen human milk
- Milk expressed within the past 9 months
- Donations made prior to the baby's second birthday
- A minimum donation of 100 ounces
Getting Started: 4 Simple Steps to Donate
- Online registration
- Phone screening
- Blood test
- Milk drop-off or shipment (coordinated and covered by the Milk Bank)
Organizations On-Site
More than a drop-off! Meet UCSF Healthcare and other professionals for supportive conversations, resources, games, face painting, and community care. Participating organizations include:
- UCSF Family Services
- UCSF Nutrition and Food Services
- March of Dimes
- NEC Society
Virtual Human Milk Drive
Participate in our month-long Virtual Milk Drive throughout November by following this link:
Milk Giving - Virtual Milk Drive
Breast milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for all infants. It contains a unique combination of nutrients, enzymes, growth factors, hormones, and immunologic properties. The ability to provide donor breast milk - whether as a bridge for mothers building their own supply, or in cases where it is not available at all - has been invaluable at UCSF. Donor breastmilk helps support our smallest and highest risk infants; it decreases their risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of GI tract) and infection while improving their digestion and tolerance of feeds. Knowing that donor breast milk is available also helps decrease some of the stress parents experience in the NICU so they can focus on bonding with their infant. We're immensely grateful to the volunteers for their priceless contribution. - Maria Hetherton, RD, CSP, CSPCC, UCSF Pediatric Dietitian Supervisor
Join us this November in supporting premature and medically fragile infants - because there truly is love in every drop