Empathy is here to stay

Breast milk is natural food for infants with antibodies and omega-3 fatty acids to help babies grow healthily. It can also act as a medical food for preterm and critically ill infants. However, some mothers may not be able to breastfeed for a variety of reasons. The Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank has therefore been established to provide safe, nutritious breast milk for newborns in need. It is hoped to collect 1,000 litres of breast milk annually, benefiting 450 to 600 premature and critically ill newborns. This is the result of efforts of the team, medical professionals and colleagues from maternal and child health centres and, more importantly, the selfless contributions of mothers and their empathy to the needy. The breast milk donated by other mothers is the gift of life and, in this edition of HASLink, three mothers open their hearts and explain why they generously give breast milk.

Our first edition of 2025 brings you mothers’ stories of love and compassion. They are also stories of hope. The team at HASLink wishes you happiness and good health in the year ahead.