Hancock Health Marks One Year of Lifesaving Donor Milk Partnership
GREENFIELD, Ind. — Hancock Health is celebrating a successful first year as a “Milk Bank Express Site,” a partnership that has provided hundreds of ounces of lifesaving human donor milk to local families.
Since launching the initiative with The Milk Bank one year ago, the hospital has dispensed more than 320 ounces of donor milk to 11 families in East-Central Indiana. The program serves as both a pickup location for parents and a “depot” where approved donors can drop off breast milk to be processed and pasteurized.
A “Millionth Ounce” Milestone
The anniversary comes as a historic achievement hits The Milk Bank. In 2025, the organization celebrated one million ounces collected nationally- and the millionth ounce was donated right in Greenfield at the Hancock Health depot by local donor Haley.
“Human milk is more than nutrition—it’s medicine,” said Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank. “For our smallest and sickest patients, access to pasteurized donor milk can mean better digestion, faster growth, and improved outcomes.”
For many parents, the program provides more than just nutrition—it provides peace of mind. Lactation consultants at the hospital’s Andis Women’s and Children’s Department noted that for mothers of preterm babies, donor milk acts as a critical bridge until their own milk supply is established.
“One of our patients was so relieved,” said Katrina Leary, a lactation consultant at Hancock Health. “The donor milk bridged that gap and she said that it really helped ease her anxiety.”
Benefits for High-Risk Infants
Hancock Health, a designated Baby-Friendly hospital, utilizes donor milk primarily for infants in its Level II Nursery. Managed in partnership with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, the nursery cares for vulnerable or medically fragile babies who rely on “liquid gold” to reduce complications and support healthy development.
Beyond the benefits to infants, officials noted that having donor milk available as a supplement can help mothers sustain long-term breastfeeding, which is linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
How to Get Involved
All donated milk undergoes rigorous screening and pasteurization according to strict national safety standards.
To Order: Families can purchase pasteurized milk through The Milk Bank and schedule a local pickup at Hancock Health.
To Donate: Approved donors can drop off milk at the hospital’s freezer depot.
For more information on becoming a donor or placing an order, contact The Milk Bank at 317-536-1670 or visit themilkbank.org.
ABOUT HANCOCK HEALTH: Hancock Health is an independent, full-service healthcare network serving East Central Indiana. A proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Hancock Health has been nationally recognized for outstanding clinical outcomes by The Leapfrog Group and the Lown Institute. The network includes Hancock Regional Hospital and Hancock Physician Network; and more than 30 other facilities, such as the Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Center, wellness centers, women’s clinics, family practices, the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center, and Gateway Hancock Health. Hancock Health offers enhanced patient care through our relationships with Suburban Health Organization, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, and the Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center.
ABOUT THE MILK BANK: The Milk Bank is a nonprofit tissue bank dispensing more than 600,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the region every year. The Milk Bank improves health outcomes for premature and ill infants, fosters better health for children, and decreases health care costs. The Milk Bank follows the strictest safety standards informed by the CDC and FDA and is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). Visit themilkbank.org to learn more.
