Reprinted from U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Mon, Dec 12 supporters News Blast...To View the full list of accomplishments from 2011 use this link Recent USBC Activities and Accomplishments

We Thought that this was great news and wanted to share it with the community.  Please use the information at the bottom of this post to donate and do your part!

As 2011 comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the year's journey...and what a journey it has been! Breastfeeding has celebrated unprecedented successes and triumphs, thanks to your support. Our supporters and fellow advocates have played a pivotal role in the progress made to ensure that all moms are supported to reach their personal breastfeeding goals. Every story you've shared, every email sent or action alert forwarded, every resource offered, and every dollar so generously contributed has led us to where we are today. 

Here are just a few examples of how we are making a difference, together:

The Actions: You Spoke, We Amplified Your Voices…

• Over 13,000 supporters signed our Petition to President Obama, and USBC leaders met with staff from the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign at the White House.
• You've sent over 50,000 letters to Congress in support of the Breastfeeding Promotion Acts of 2009 and 2011.
• Thirty-eight national organizations and 98 regional/state/local organizations co-signed our letter requesting federal appropriations for breastfeeding support. Dozens of advocates attended our training webinar and have used our toolkit for advocacy visits.
• Almost 5,000 supporters have signed on to support Breastfeeding: A Vision for the Future.
• You've submitted hundreds of stories about how you and your baby were supported to breastfeed...please keep them coming!

The Results: Breastfeeding is Getting Easier!

• The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding was launched in January, echoing our Vision with 20 recommended actions to support mothers in reaching their personal breastfeeding goals.
• The Let's Move! campaign is addressing breastfeeding from both the hospital and child care angles. Last week Kaiser Permanente, the nation's largest integrated health care system caring for mothers and babies, announced its commitment to support breastfeeding as a measure of hospital quality and a key strategy in preventing childhood obesity.
• Significant appropriations commitments have been made to improve hospital and employment support through the Community Transformation Grants and the CDC/NICHQ project to increase the number of Baby-Friendly hospitals. 
• Beginning August 1, 2012, new private health insurance plans will be required to cover breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling without a co-payment or deductible. 
• The federal "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law is being implemented across the country, and President Obama has called for full support for federal employees. The Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 includes a provision to extend the law's coverage.
• The IRS reversed its decision and now allows breast pumps and other related supplies to be tax deductible.

It is only because of your incredible display of support that we are able to celebrate these improvements in the policies and systems affecting breastfeeding mothers. The USBC is also proud to share a number of additional accomplishments and highlights of the past year. 

Thank you for helping to make all of this happen! Your actions have had a meaningful impact on the landscape of breastfeeding support, and families are already reaping the benefits. Just ask Jennifer. A mom and USBC supporter, Jennifer told us: "I always knew I wanted to nurse my babies even though it was a 'new concept' to my family. The first line of support I had was watching two co-workers dedicated to nursing and pumping for an entire year. It really provided me with the strength to know that I could do this too."

The USBC has had a busy year breaking down the barriers to breastfeeding success, so that moms like Jennifer are supported to reach their breastfeeding goals. But there is more work to be done as we follow the Surgeon General's "roadmap" and chart a course for each of the 20 recommended actions. 

So before you face the long lines at department stores, please consider making a donation to the USBC on behalf of someone on your holiday shopping list! You'll receive an instant certificate that can be used as a greeting card insert to acknowledge your gift. Plus, for every donation of $25 or more this holiday season, you'll receive a limited edition USBC Car Magnet as a "thank you" gift. 

Make your holiday gifts count toward creating lasting change in the lives of families across our nation. Your support is truly appreciated.