Oct 6, 2015 1 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pennsylvania’s first breast milk bank is now accepting donations of pumped breast milk from mothers in anticipation of its November opening in Pittsburgh.

Located in the city’s Strip District, Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank will service sick babies throughout both Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Officials said the nonprofit’s milk is mostly intended for infants in neonatal intensive care units, but approximately 15 to 20 percent of donations will be distributed to outpatient babies.

Executive Director Denise O’Connor says interested donors must submit to a telephone interview, health questionnaires and a blood draw before approval.

Nursing mothers who are not approved are still encouraged to donate. Their milk will be used to further breast milk research at the facility.

O’Connor says the milk will cost approximately $4.50 per ounce.