Oklahoma Breastfeeding Coalition Announces Grant from Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Breastfeeding Coalition 

Announces Grant from Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK ---Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in Oklahoma, announces a $40,000 grant from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma. 

COBA executive director Heidi Russell says, “This grant is a game changer for our organization. There is a great need for lactation consultants in Oklahoma, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities. More scholarship dollars will allow us to strategically serve those who do not have access to breastfeeding resources.”  She further states, “Women with infants and toddlers are the fastest growing segment of the United States workforce with more than 50% of mothers returning to work within four months of giving birth. We are incredibly grateful to the trustees of Masonic Charity Foundation for investing in the health and wellness of Oklahoma’s tiniest citizens as we collaborate with schools across Oklahoma to give them the tools needed to support their teachers when they return to the classroom.”

“COBA’s ability to offer scholarships to maternal and child health professionals seeking national certification is worthy of our support,” said John Logan, Executive Director of the Masonic Charity Foundation. “We applaud COBA’s effort to help public school teachers who are nursing mothers obtain basic accommodations from their school districts.”

Breastfeeding is a critical public health issue and is a key strategy in the elimination of health disparities such as infant mortality. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least 1-2 years. Research shows breastfed babies have a lower risk of acute and chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, childhood cancers, SIDS, and GI and respiratory infections.