There is a way to share the gift of health for the most minor, most fragile lives. The King’s Daughters CHKD Milk Bank director, Ashlynn Baker BSN RN IBCLC, talked to Rotarians and guests about the need for and benefits of breast milk, also known as liquid gold for babies. Ashlynn Baker was introduced by Rotarian of the Day, Dr. Lois Kercher.
The King’s Daughters Milk Bank at CHKD is a nonprofit, hospital-based donor milk bank with a mission to provide pasteurized donor human milk from carefully screened donors to severely premature and sick infants, improving their potential to survive and thrive. The Milk Bank covers 100% of the cost of donating milk, including the screening, supplies, and shipping. The Milk Bank is made possible through the financial support of the CHKD and the generosity of their milk donors.
Benefits: Breast milk is the best. Breast milk and infant nutrition should be considered public health issues and not only a lifestyle choice. Breast milk is the best nutrition for all babies and can be a life-saving treatment for those extremely premature or critically ill. Breastmilk significantly decreases the odds of life-threatening complications and infections in premature infants during the first months of life.
Reach: There are some 30 Member Milk Banks associated with the Human Milk Bank Association of North America (HMBANA) and the CHKD Bank serves some 47 hospital units in Virginia and Maryland.
Safety: The CHKD Milk Bank ensures the safety of donated milk through careful screening, pasteurization, and laboratory testing. Donors have a verbal interview, complete an electronic questionnaire, submit confirmation of their health and the health of their baby, and may have additional blood tests. After the donation, the milk is pooled and pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses, and a final testing step is taken to ensure its safety.
Leaving a Legacy: Lactation after Loss. For mothers who’ve experienced the loss of their babies, donating milk in memory of or as a legacy to their child can be part of a grief and healing process. Participating families experience the therapeutic effect of this donation.
Key announcements:
- Members were reminded of the Rotary Networking Coffee on April 25th at 8 am at Virginia Stage Company – Wells Theatre
- Suds and Buds on May 18th are asking for your help to find additional sponsors. Contact Tom Koller or Chris Bugg
- Tom Koller introduced Charlie Gunter from Virginia Natural Gas who will be our presenting sponsor of Suds and Buds.
- Mark the District 7600 End Polio Now Baseball Game on May 21st at 1:05 PM in your calendar.
- Chick Robison encouraged members to bring student guests to the May 9th Jefferson Lab Program
- Armistead Williams was inducted as our newest club member by President Laurie Harrison and sponsor Chick Robison. Armistead is a retired Neurologist, with many talents and skills and will be an active member in our club.
- Sigur Whitaker reminded members that it was Giving Tuesday and the benefits of donating on this day.
- President Laurie Harrison read a letter from Erle Marie Latimer who wished to convey her gratitude to the club for the Resolution in honor of her husband and late Rotarian Robert Latimer.
- Chick Robison was the winning Rotarian who brought in the most guests and new members in our Membership month and was awarded 2 tickets for Suds & Buds
Happy Bucks:
- Bob Heely: For his son, Bobby assumed command of San Diego Naval Base
- Barb Lipskis: For her opportunity to care for grandkids!
Visitation
- Mary Insley suffered an injury to her heel and is missing a meeting for the first time since becoming a member.
- Gus Stuhlreyer had his hip replacement last week and is complying with the rehabilitation program.
Guests:
- Gary Bonnewell was a guest of Kay Stine
- Hank Thompson was a guest of Chip Vogan
- Abby Van Vorhees was a guest of Chip Vogan and will be a member soon.
- Linda Archer is Bob Archer’s wife (becoming a member soon)
- Charlie Gunter from Virginia Natural Gas was a guest of Tom Kohler Presenting Sponsor of Suds & Buds.
February was membership recruitment month at the Rotary Club of Norfolk. In April, Rotarian Chick Robison (right) won a prize for introducing the most friends and neighbors to Rotary during the month. Several of Chick's recruits have since joined the club, including Dr. Armistead Williams, a recently retired neurologist. President Laurie Harrison recently welcomed Armistead and presented Chick with two tickets to the May 18 Suds & Buds party for being his club's top recruiter. 
Mark your calendars for the seventh Suds & Buds party with a purpose on Thursday, May 18 starting at 5:30 p.m Presented by Virginia Natural Gas. The Rotary Club of Norfolk will partner with Norfolk Botanical Garden and Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters to host what past guests have called "the best party ever." Proceeds will benefit all three organizations. 
