When it comes to ingenious uses of resources, this one takes the cake—or the milk! Babies who need immunity-boosting breast milk are receiving deliveries courtesy of an extraordinary group of biker women.
The Sirens Women’s Motorcycle Club of New York City, the oldest and largest women’s motorcycle club in the area with about 50 members, is breaking stereotypes and making a difference. President Lisa “The Gearhead” Thompson expressed to Home Insemination Kit that their club welcomes “any woman, any bike.” Talk about girl power!
These incredible women have partnered with the New York Milk Bank to ensure that breast milk reaches little ones in a hurry. “We have a product. Our product is human milk. We screen women who have excess milk, test their blood, pasteurize it, and then distribute it,” explains Executive Director of the New York Milk Bank, Michelle Johnson, to the New York Post.
Enter the Sirens, who navigate New York City traffic like pros. While everyone else is stuck in gridlock, these bikers zip through, delivering critical breast milk to babies at lightning speed. “We are uniquely positioned to do the job,” one Siren noted, and we couldn’t agree more!
Fast delivery is crucial for premature babies whose mothers may struggle to produce enough milk. According to Kids Health, these tiny fighters are at risk for illnesses like necrotizing enterocolitis. Hospitals encourage mothers to pump breast milk as soon as possible since it’s the best defense against such conditions. For those unable to provide enough milk due to medical issues, seeking donated milk is highly encouraged.
The New York Milk Bank aims to process and distribute donated milk swiftly, and the Sirens are the perfect partners for this noble mission. “These are badass women, and it was a perfect fit to employ their services,” Johnson emphasized. The collaboration merges two seemingly unrelated groups for a heartwarming cause—feeding hungry babies. One biker shared, “It was pretty unanimous that we wanted to help out.”
Not only are these fierce women delivering essential breast milk, but they’re also serving as role models for young girls. “The Sirens represent strong women, period,” one member declared. Another added, “Little girls light up when they see us on the road, like, ‘Wow, we can ride motorcycles like that!’”
The New York Milk Bank processes around 1,100 ounces of breast milk weekly. To keep their operations thriving and reach even more babies in need, they welcome donations. If you’re interested in supporting their efforts, check out their fundraising page: New York Milk Bank Fundraising.
This article originally appeared on November 27, 2016.
For more inspiring stories, be sure to explore our other posts, like this one about home insemination. And for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit UCSF’s Resource Center.
In summary, the Sirens Women’s Motorcycle Club is a shining example of how diverse groups can unite for a common cause. They are speeding through city streets, delivering life-saving breast milk to newborns in need, all while inspiring the next generation of women to break barriers.