Honoring Families Through Compassionate Care: UC San Diego Health Milk Bank’s Cherry Blossom Family Program

Earlier this month, RTZ Hope’s Kiley Hanish and Kristin James had the opportunity to tour the UC San Diego Health Milk Bank and learn more about their remarkable Cherry Blossom Family Program.

This program was created to support and empower families as they navigate lactation after the loss of a baby, an often overlooked and deeply personal aspect of grief. Through compassionate care, the Cherry Blossom team provides education, supplies, and guidance so families can make informed decisions about lactation suppression, pumping, or milk donation.

For some families, milk donation becomes a meaningful act of remembrance—a way to stay connected to their baby while helping to nourish and save the lives of others.

RTZ Hope is honored to support UC San Diego Health’s innovative approach and their dedication to filling this vital gap in bereavement care. Together, we continue to build systems of support that honor both loss and love.

To learn more about the Cherry Blossom Program visit this link or view their Instagram page here.