TrueCare in San Marcos to Hold Annual Breast Milk Drive and Health Fair with Community Blood Drive on August 6

Breastfeeding Mothers Encouraged to Donate to Help Babies Thrive; Online Registration is Easy

SAN MARCOS, CA - July 21, 2022 — TrueCare’s annual Breast Milk Drive and Health Fair is on Saturday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. TrueCare is hosting the breast milk drive, in partnership with the University of California Health Milk Bank, to provide safe, nutritious, pasteurized  human donor milk to babies in need. ​

The health fair will also include a community blood drive with the San Diego Blood Bank. The event takes place at TrueCare’s San Marcos Health Center located at 150 Valpreda Road. 

Attendees can pick up bags of fresh produce, diapers, goodie bags for mothers and babies, educational materials, and resources for breastfeeding and overall health care, while supplies last.  

TrueCare community partners participating at the half-day event include San Diego Blood Bank, Feeding San Diego and Palomar Medical Center. TrueCare’s WIC (aka the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Chiropractic, Behavioral Health and Dental departments will be on hand to showcase their specialty services and provide wellness information and support, such as lactation consultations, chair stretches for breastfeeding moms, dental screenings, and much more. 

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for 6 months and older will also be available inside the health center on a walk-in basis. 

Due to the recent baby formula shortage, human breast milk is in high demand and more important than ever.  “Moms participating in TrueCare’s breast milk drive will significantly help to increase milk reserves for high-risk infants,” says Chanelle Calhoun, MD, who has served TrueCare’s youngest patients for 26 years as a board-certified pediatrician. “Our providers endeavor to offer inclusive, equitable and culturally sensitive care that helps moms reach their intended goals, which ultimately yields great health benefits for the family and community as a whole.”

In addition, recent new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that if possible, mothers continue breastfeeding for two years or beyond.  These recommendations align with guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the Canadian Pediatric Society. 

“TrueCare welcomes the updated AAP Breastfeeding Guidelines,” added Dr. Calhoun. “They reflect our commitment as a Breastfeeding Friendly Health Center (BFHC) to support moms who choose to breastfeed beyond one year, recognizing the health benefits for mom and baby.”

To donate breast milk, a 100-ounce minimum donation along with pre-registration are required at the 
University of California Health Milk Bank portal. Moms can conveniently get their blood screened (required before donating breast milk) at the bloodmobile on site. To learn more about donating breast milk, moms may email ucmilkbank@health.ucsd.edu or call 858-249-MILK (6455).

Register to Donate Breast Milk 

Schedule to Donate Blood (walk-ins welcome; blood drive runs until 2 p.m.)


EVENT INFO:


WHO: TrueCare, a nonprofit health care provider in North San Diego and South Riverside Counties

WHAT: Breast Milk Drive and Health Fair with Community Blood Drive


WHEN: Saturday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Moms can get their blood screened (required before donating) at the San Diego Blood Bank mobile unit from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: TrueCare San Marcos Health Center, 150 Valpreda Road, San Marcos, CA 92069

During the health fair, TrueCare partners and wellness services will provide:
 

• Free diapers, goodie bags that include sippy cups, books, recipes, and more
• Education on childbirth, breastfeeding and resources for support
• Bilingual lactation consultants 
• Fresh produce and food distribution with Feeding San Diego
• COVID-19 vaccines and  boosters for 6 months and older
• Blood drive with San Diego Blood Bank
• Dental screenings/fluoride varnish
• Other well-being and health services on site

About TrueCare
For 50 years, TrueCare has not wavered in its commitment to patients, their families, and its communities. As a non-profit community health center, TrueCare is dedicated to delivering a superior and compassionate healthcare experience to nearly 60,000 patients every year, reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to quality care. TrueCare cares for the diverse communities of North San Diego and South Riverside Counties with services ranging from primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, chiropractic treatments and dentistry. In addition, TrueCare offers transportation services, community health outreach, insurance enrollment assistance and case management programs. For more information, click here.