bit "out there" this one - but would anyone consider donating breast milk for my friend who has terminal cancer?

[deaconblue]

Really hope this doesn't offend anyone but she is only 37, has 4 and 2 yr old ds's and has stage 4 cancer. She is trying the raw food diet and everything she can to try to hold the cancer where it is and get as much time with her boys as possible.
We've read research about the curing powers of breast milk and in the US it seems it's possible to buy breast milk on the internet. Haven't found any similar UK sites.
It occurred to me it was worth asking mumsnetters if they had any spare breast milk??
thanks

I think there should be local breast milk centres - maybe hospitals have info. If you contact someone like la leche (I am sure that is spelt incorrectly) then they may know where the breast milk banks are. Can someone please post details of the societies that are po bfing as they may all have useful info for poster.

In Tommy's they heat treat it (so it's UHT as it were) and then use it / sell it to other hospitals who don't have donors. Would it be worth inquiring at a local hospital to see if they would be able to help out if you could provide the milk?

refrigerated shipping?

london is perfect as her sister lives in London , will be visiting often and I'm sure will collect. Will email her now

I think you'll need to freeze it and then courier it so it arrives still frozen. A better bet might be to contact Peterborough NCT and see if you can get somebody local.

This is a good idea, it's such marvellous stuff and won't do any harm. Are there any 'traditional' treatments as well that are still options?

if you find a way to do it, I am still feeding my 14 month old....

I could try, I am not very good at expressing, that is if anyone can find a way of transporting it! In deepest darkest Devon yur!

Goodluck, I hope you get some for her, it is so so sad

aminnorth east thoguh

fabulous, hadn't thought of that curiosity. that way the milk would stay frozen so she could defrost when needed

What about freezing the bm then sending it every couple of days in a cool/freezer box?

SHopping I am in London and am happy to donate if it can be organised. When I donated to Tommy's they sent a courier once I had built up a freezer stash and it was zoomed back to hospital. PResumably it needs to stay froxen so it doesn't go off.

shopping - not sure if price would be prohibitive. Worth e-mailing them to ask.

cross posts with everyone.

check out this well known site - all about breast feeding and they have a forum too - there may be locals on it that can help

www.kellymom.com/

these breastfeeding organisations may be able to help you source some

National Breastfeeding Helpline
0300 100 0212
National Childbirth Trust
0300 330 0771
Breastfeeding Network
0300 100 0210
La Leche League
0845 1202918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 08444 122949

Just to add to what curiosity said - perhaps if you explained the circs they might be prepared to offer a reduced rate. Would it be worth asking?

great idea sybil, will contact them on monday morning and get some idea of prices and explain circumstances. Am in touch with my friend and her sister now, just waiting for replies so will get back to this thread asap to make some plans. Thank you so much again, it may make no difference at all but we're trying anything we can for her lovely boys' sake

I'm in Manchester but I have 2 ounces or so of liquid gold colostrum in the freezer which your friend is welcome to.

you could also start another thread asking for bf's in your area and then explain the situation to them.

Can you contact ypur local milk bank?

See here

I'm near London. I haven't expressed for a bit but by coincidence I did get the pump out today - it's in the steriliser now.

Maybe I could have a go, see what happens and then arrange a drop with your friend's sister if all goes well? I can't freeze it but it keeps in the fridge for about a week and frozen is even longer.

I admit I was a bit eeeww when I first read your post but that was stupid of me. We drink cow's milk FFS and if it's not going to hurt to try.

We've contacted the two local hospitals, haven't tried milk bank. Our other friend has also contacted the NCT breast feeding counsellor to see if they can help too. Will do a new thread now with Peterborough in the title

I'm the otherside of kings Lynn and feeding my 14 mo still, I haven't tried pumping in a very long while but if I could do it successfully I wouldn't mind donating