Donating With Care & Love

Last Friday, I ventured out to Long Island with Medela, along with my most cherished blogger friends, to donate two hospital grade pumps to the Ronald McDonald Charity House . Upon arrival, I was a bit nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. When thinking about a sick little one, I get extremely emotional, with my heart immediately going out to these families.

We were given a tour of the property, which is located on the campus of the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, formerly Schneider Children’s Hospital. Since opening in 1986, approximately 18,000 families from the United States and more than 80 countries around the world have been served. Many of the families are from Long Island and other parts of the Metropolitan area, and the House accommodates them in a warm, supportive environment.

Recently, with the help of generous leaders in the interior design industry, a two-year, five million dollar value renovation called Project Design transformed the House. All of the spaces in the Long Island facility were completely re-designed to better accommodate the families staying in their 42 resident suites and several common areas. You can take a virtual tour of the house here, and I’m sure, you will be just as blown away as I was after my tour.

With nearly 40% of the families served by RMHC caring for babies in the NICU, Medela is supporting RMHC to support mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies. Each pump received through Medela Recycles supports the donation of new hospital-grade, multi-use breastpumps and supplies to Ronald McDonald House Charities. The goal is to provide moms with the same high-quality equipment used at hospitals during their stay at a Ronald McDonald House. This consistency will ease the transition from the hospital to a Ronald McDonald House, providing families caring for a baby in the NICU one less thing to worry about. Your recycling directly translates to caring for families in crisis.

Medela has played a huge part of my role as a mother, so I was thrilled to be part of this campaign. In efforts to keep things green, visit the Medela site where you can print out a free shipping label and recycle your pump.

On behalf of my ambassador and my commitment to helping mamas who are just beginning their breastfeeding journey, I was so honored to present to the RMHC two pumps. It will be a day I will never forget.