Stories Archive

Dear Maria and Amy,

 

Featuring Maria and Kelvin who donated in honor their son Benjamin, Amy and her son Brody who was a recipient of donor milk, Jamie who donated over 12,000 ounces of milk, and her children.

[An open letter to a milk donor and recipient family.]

 

Having worked in processing and donor screening, I have seen your names pass through the lab and my desk. I have wondered about your stories, your babies, and it has been my honor to finally learn about them. Born just three weeks apart, Brody and Benjamin came too early, at 23 and 24 weeks respectively.

On June 11th, 2018, at our celebration of three years as a milk bank, your worlds as mothers were able to come together.

I was able to speak with you Maria, for the first time in person (having spoken over the phone and through the mail) and your resilience humbled me.
You said your journey started with the hospital lactation consultant telling you about milk donation and that it was so easy to do. The whole time, you were just worried about the milk.
“It’s meant for babies, to make a difference,” you said with certainty.

You knew just how special and precious it was, remembering the difficult feeling when your supply eventually came to a stop.�?“The only thing I was thinking was if one baby benefits, that’s all that matters.”

“I had Benjamin’s picture with me the whole time.”

 

Dating and labeling the milk, buying the dry ice, packing it up for the last time, Benjamin was there through it all, watching his milk be shared with tiny babies in need.

“I took pictures of every step. I couldn’t be there when [the truck] picked up my box, so Kelvin took pictures of them driving away with it.”

The time and heart it takes to pump each ounce of milk is endless, but I can only imagine that to donate in honor of a loss is especially difficult.

“The process of donating milk has given us peace to know that a little one(s) are growing and parents are feeling blessed to see them go home.”

 

You credit Kelvin with being your support system.

There would be times that you were so tired, but Kelvin would wake you every three hours saying, “Don’t fall asleep; you have to pump!”

 

“It’s a learning experience. We all need to learn a lot more about donating and receiving because we aren’t taking advantage of [milk donation] like we could be” you said.

I was in awe surrounding your especially inspiring circumstances as “a family of donors”, and you have been on both sides of it!

“I know what it’s like to wait for a miracle. Every day you hope. So I knew that my milk could be a blessing to another family.”

“We know how it feels to receive a selfless gift from someone you don’t know, that even with their pain [they] want to give back to the community.”

Kelvin himself is a two-time kidney transplant recipient.

“The gift of life changed�?our lives because a year later we were blessed with Benjamin. The breast milk we donated gave a chance for life to babies in need or mothers that chose to give them breast milk because they were not able to produce the milk.�? Due to this donation, we became donors and someone became the recipient of that precious liquid gold that I pumped with so much love for Benjamin. In the same way, I gave [it] up without thinking who will get it.”

Each hour of pumping and the difficulties of eventually letting the milk go�?was entirely worth it.

“I never imagined it to be so rewarding. �?I was honoring my son and I did it with so much pride.”

The recipient side isn’t just a concept, it holds actual people and lives being affected by the generosity and consideration of strangers.

It was apparent at our Open House that it clicked for you, just how substantial the difference you made was. When baby Brody arrived in Amy’s arms, a baby

well-known for having received donor milk, you, Kelvin, and everyone present were brought to tears.

As it turns out, both you, Maria and Amy, had your babies in the hospital at the same time.

Amy, you had gone through months and months of trials with Brody, and I was honored to introduce you to some of the donors that helped him thrive.

 

“As a mother, I was devastated that my body could no longer produce milk after twelve weeks for Brody.”

Having delivered in your second trimester, so many obstacles were placed in front of you and the fact that you were able to stay focused and calm enough to continue pumping for three months, speaks to your determination to provide the best you can for Brody.

“Brody was given a 5% chance of survival, born at 23 weeks and weighing 1lb 2oz. With a whole lot of faith and the nutrition he received from amazing breast milk donors, we left the NICU after 148 days at a healthy 8 pounds!”

We saw the progression of your little one in photos and now have had the honor of welcoming him into our milk bank. Despite how difficult your beginning was, you continue to walk with hope and the determination to spread Brody’s story as he leaves his mark on the world.

You said, “There were women out there that Brody and I had never met and knowing that they were a team alongside me as an incredible army, that is what has taken us from one pound, to 21 pounds!”

From our benefit concert to our 3rd Anniversary, thank you for the bravery it requires to tell your story.

Maria had told me, “Getting to know Brody was amazing. I enjoyed [going] out there to see the process, dedication and the love that we received when we walked into�?MMBFL�?by all the staff.”

“It fills me up with so much emotion that our little one has taken us to meet such an amazing group of people that love what they do.”

Everyone was emotional hearing about your experience as a mom, Amy.

Maria said,�?“My husband was overwhelmed to see and to meet Brody. He said he saw Benjamin in Brody.�? Everything is a circle of life and it’s astonishing how many lives our son has touched.”

 

“My Benjamin is smiling back from heaven knowing that mom and dad are happy to help angels on earth.”

 

This piece is dedicated in honor of Benjamin, the legacy of Brody, and the unmatched spirit it takes to be a mom.

Sincerely,

Cheyenne Drews

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“Today your milk went to save…”

Jodi has saved every cap from the bottles her little girl has received.

Three ounce bottles, each one contains a little bit of milk from an average of three different donors. The milk was donated from across Florida, maybe even some from a Canadian donor traveling for business, or an Austin donor visiting family and the theme parks. The milk was thawed, analyzed, and pasteurized to ensure it is safe, by a small staff and group of volunteers in Orlando. It was picked up and delivered overnight to reach an outpatient.

This is the story we know.

Jodi’s is the story we didn’t know.

For the sake of our donors who have wondered where their milk winds up, this is for you.

For our monetary supporters that give to our Babies at Home Outpatient Program, this is for you.

To the mom who said “I’m doing my best” exasperated and desperate, you are the best your children could have and this is for you.

 

According to the FPIES Foundation, “FPIES, or food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome, is a rare non-IgE food allergy that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Classic FPIES reactions typically occur two or more hours after ingesting the “trigger” food and typically involve profuse vomiting, diarrhea, and can progress to shock. This condition is usually seen in infants and consists of profuse vomiting 2-4 hours after ingestion of the food, soon after it has been introduced into the infant’s diet.”

In short, anything a baby eats could possibly cause severe abdominal pain and gastrointestinal distress.

I spoke with a mom who has seen this first-hand. For forty-five minutes, Jodi was brave enough to share her story with me and afterwards, I was selfishly exhausted just hearing about her life.

Jodi has two children and both of them have the very rare syndrome FPIES. Her first born, she was fortunate with. She had an over-supply of breast milk and was able to feed him until he was two years old, despite his original ‘failure to thrive’ diagnosis. Thankfully, he has since outgrown his diagnosis, although he continues to struggle with food aversions from the traumatic affects of FPIES.

Optimistically, there is a chance that a child can outgrow FPIES by three, as their immune system becomes more developed. Born in July of 2016, her second child Siena is a more severe case, finding no safe foods thus far. So far, all of her foods trials have resulted in uncontrollable diarrhea, blood in the stool, vomiting and lethargy coupled with severe abdominal pain.

“I cut so much out of my diet; dairy, corn, spicy foods, things you wouldn’t even think about I eliminated because she was reacting to my milk.” Jodi explained. Even with a severely restricted diet, she still occasionally reacts to what Jodi eats.

 

“Everything is trial and error; new food and various hypoallergenic formulas. Every time she reacts to something, her food aversions become so much worse. She thinks she is going to have severe pain every time we trial something new. Breast milk has been the only food source that Siena will readily accept.”

In December of 2017, even with specialized attention, Siena was in pain and Jodi’s own supply of breast milk was dropping.

 

“There needs to be more awareness and research out there. Honestly, the most support I have received is from a Facebook group of people like me. There are 6,000 members from across the world that you can ask questions to and find assistance from.”

“They know the reality of it and how to help because they live it every day.”

 

It was through this group that she started hearing about milk banks.

“As a mom, it’s so hard not to meet your baby’s basic needs, to feel like your milk isn’t enough.” Jodi didn’t know about breast milk donations before. She said it needs to be more publicized.

“I’m sure many more women out there would be willing to donate if they heard stories like ours.” Out of severe desperation, she began to research breast milk banks when her breast milk supply was not enough to feed her daughter.

“I made the first call, but there was a fear I had to get past too, not knowing where this milk is coming from. I thought, ‘We’re drinking milk from cows trusting what’s in it.’ So I had to trust the screening process [for this breast milk] and the people that donate.” Given Siena’s past difficulties, this too was a risk.

Miraculously, despite the milk donors being on varied diets, Siena didn’t react to the breast milk.

It is the one safe comfort the family can now rely on to give their baby.

“She’s growing, she’s healthy, it’s just an ongoing process. We begin by trialing a teaspoon of something new and anxiously awaiting to see if she reacts. She can react by becoming violently ill within as little as 15 minutes or it could be hours later. If in a few days she hasn’t reacted, we’ll try a tablespoon. Each reaction causes another setback and worsens Siena’s food aversion. It has also caused Siena multiple hospitalizations consisting of IV fluid hydration and gut rest. We haven’t gotten to the tablespoon phase yet, but are hopeful we will soon.”

Her next two weeks will be spent trying peaches, hoping it will be the first safe food.

“I continue to be pushed towards just giving her a feeding tube because it’ll be easier, but that will just mask symptoms for a bigger problem. I am a nurse practitioner myself, so I know that breast milk is best.”

“I felt so desperate as a mother; I felt so alone. I could not provide enough of what my daughter needed for survival (breast milk).”

 

“Yet in a moment of desperation, I felt completely surrounded by women. Women, that I don’t even know, making a sacrifice to help my daughter, a child who they’ve never met with a story that they’ve never heard. That’s powerful. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Jodi is so thankful for the opportunity to work from home, as so much interferes with her life. The exhaustion comes across in her voice, as she’s averaging 3-4 hours of sleep, considering she has to pump every 3-4 hours. That’s with our help.

 

Throughout the week, both of her children have four different therapies with multiple appointments, as they also have special needs. Pridefully, Jodi tells me that the therapists always reflect with “I just love your family.”

 

Siena’s weight has maintained stable, but doctors are worried about her height and bone development. Jodi has a long road ahead of her, but from what I see, Siena couldn’t possibly be in better hands.

“Both of our children are so smart. Despite their challenges, we couldn’t be any more thankful. My husband and I are just so motivated by the improvements we see, knowing that all of our sacrifices will pay off. They’re so worth it.”

To the other side, to the families that made the decision to donate breast milk to Siena, Jodi says this:

“My husband and I are so blessed. Words cannot express what it has meant to have help maintaining her survival. That’s what this is about, her literal survival.”

 

To learn more about FPIES, visit:
http://fpiesfoundation.org

To learn how you can donate milk to babies like Siena, visit: https://milkbankofflorida.org/faq/donate-milk/

Interview and story courtesy of Cheyenne Drews.

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The Triple Threat: Mom, Donor, and Milk Tech

 

How does one woman find herself spending a year helping to develop the first human milk lab in Southwest Florida? Why does she join the Lee County Breastfeeding Coalition in her little free time? How does milk become her mission?

In a 64 bed NICU, Beth Futral sees baby after baby. She herself acts as one small character in their respective stories. Those that are born less than or equal to 32 weeks gestation age, 1500�?grams or below, (or with a medical exception), can be prescribed human donor milk if necessary. The Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida ships out the order, and the milk is thawed and potentially manipulated with fortifiers, and prepared by Milk Lab Technicians. The highly trained technicians at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida�?create a custom recipe to meet the specific feeding order for each baby.

 

It was after the birth of her son Mark, that Beth had many scary days that would lead her to completely reevaluate her life. Mark was born with a rare disorder called Juvenile Xanthogranuloma. This disorder, effecting less than 1 in 200,000 people, causes an over-accumulation of immune cells. This can lead to the growth of lesions on the inside and outside of the body. Doctors performed many tests to confirm Mark only had them on the outside of his body, but sometimes there were over 100 present. Beth was terrified and uncertain, but breastfeeding greatly helped bond her to her son.

“Watching him grow through the power of my milk grounded me and gave me the most pride I’ve ever felt.”

Mark’s disorder is well on its way to spontaneously resolving and at 18 months he is, “happy, smiling, thriving, and healthy.”

Previously working as a traditional pharmacy technician, Beth’s life path changed after Mark. It took one year to plan and develop the milk lab, but it’s entirely operational and serving the community.

“Lee Health also hosted two Big Latch On events and is striving towards becoming a Baby-Friendly facility as part of their dedication to ensuring the babies of Southwest Florida receive mother’s own milk.” Beth explained.

“Nourishing children has become my life.”

When asked if it’s difficult to not become attached to the babies Beth tends to at the milk lab, she responded, “It’s amazing to watch these neonates grow and thrive. We know we can help them, so we encourage moms to keep pumping. Hopefully they can become breast milk donors themselves one day to help other children in need.”

Not only is Beth able to work in this incredible position, she donated to the milk bank that now fulfills orders for the hospital she works for. She described it as an incredibly rewarding experience that was so special to share for another baby.

“Every baby deserves to grow.”

She wants to help both�?the tiny new lives, as well as their families. They are enduring an uncertainty Beth herself once felt.

“I want them to know we are here for them and they should never give up. Keep going! Things happen as they are supposed to. You have to give your baby love; through breastfeeding, skin-to-skin, any way you can.”

A stigma�?continues�?to hover over�?donating milk, and even just having the discussion of prematurity. Beth stated that many babies are born tiny, but families are nervous to talk about it and seek information. The reality is, many of these families rely on the support system of an anonymous community.

Beth has committed her life to the tiny lives of others and if we can learn what it means to be empathetic from her, the community would never be void of generosity.

 

To learn about the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative M.O.M. (Mother’s Own Milk) Initiative that Lee Health is participating in, read here: http://MOM Initiative

 

 

Interview and article courtesy of Cheyenne Drews.

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Long-time Milk Donor featured in eBella Magazine

“I think my greatest legacy will be raising my two boys to not only be respectful of women, but to also be a supporter of and advocate for women.”

Congratulations to Katie Berkey, who was featured by eBella Magazine in their ‘Winning Women’ section. A mother of 3, top attorney and Zonta woman of the year, Katie is described by the publication as ‘A Natural Nurterer’ who protects environment, women and family.

As well as inspiring through her work, Katie is also a long time donor to The Mother’s Milk Bank of Florida, who were also featured in the article, thanks to her advocacy of the mission. She was the Milk Bank’s 16th donor, back in 2015, going on to donate again with her second child and now again with her third baby!

Take a minute to read more about this Super-Mom here:

Read the Full Article

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We are the World

World Breastfeeding Week is almost here and the excitement is building. Events and celebrations are being held across our communities, so look out for a comprehensive timeline of how you can participate.

The passion from countless groups of breastfeeding advocates comes from all corners. Whether in the NICU’s, milk banks, lactation consultations, pre and postnatal care offices, mommy groups, counseling sessions, or at home, commitment for liquid gold flows through our blood.

Before milk can reach recipients in the hospital and their homes, the donors reach out. The profile of a donor is never the same, but the commonality among all, is a moral compass that guides them to selflessness.

 

Brigette could not be a better example. After the birth of her daughter, Rae, and a 12-week maternity leave, her plan was to pump milk so she could return to work full-time.

“I think some of the best things in life happen when things don’t go according to plan.”

She quickly realized she had far more milk than her baby needed and her freezer was running out of room. Her daughter would only nurse from one side and the rest of the milk added up. It took over her father’s freezer as well, so the family eventually decided to invest in a deep freezer.

She worried about the milk spoiling, but luckily a breastfeeding group on Facebook recommended the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida. She describes the screening and donation process as, “awesome and so easy”.

Breastfeeding was truly something special to this family. The women she grew up around breastfed their children and set a precedence. Her husband helped her through the process, bagging the milk and packaging the boxes. The biggest connection it brought forth was the one with her sister. Interviewing her, I could hear the emotion in her voice as she remembered her niece being born premature and spending many weeks in the NICU.

Brigette was there to walk the halls of the NICU and could only imagine what the families were going through. Luckily, Brigette was blessed, at most pumping seven to eight bags a day that would eventually go to save babies like the ones she witnessed struggling to thrive.

“There is nothing like holding your baby for the first time.” 

One year later, she reflects on the journey.

She said support is the best help a new parent could find. She felt honored and fortunate to help others, motivated by the love from her own family and friends.

The montage of memories flashed to staying up late with her newborn, bonding with her sister’s corresponding scenario with her second child teething, pinching, feeding, and learning to laugh and cry as they did. Donating milk became part of the memories of raising her first child and she hopes to do it again as her family grows.

She’ll tell Rae that Mommy was blessed to have milk to donate and she too may be able to help save babies one day. She may also have a baby that needs the donor milk, and regardless, the community is there for her.

Here’s to Brigette, her little girl, and the people that made it possible for her to donate over 5,000 ounces of liquid gold.

Let us celebrate each individual bringing support to fortunate families and those in need, and bridging the gap between the two.

It truly takes a village.

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The Final Donation

By the time donor milk reaches a baby in the hospital, the bottle is just one number in a line of many. But what is really in those 3 ounces? Try pumping at 4am. Overnight shipping. Dry ice runs. Freezers so full that the neighbors are storing milk too.

Some would simply say, “Magic.”

It starts with a donor number; the alias of a superhero.

That number retires with the donor and Victoria’s goes down in the record books. �?Victoria arrived with more milk than I had ever witnessed in a single drop-off. In total, she brought us 2,400 ounces of milk, in addition to the 6,000 ounces she had donated over the last year. She met me with four coolers and put our staff to the test to transport it safely into the freezers as fast as possible. Victoria was humbled to finally see the facilities and understand the path�?her milk travels�?after it leaves her home. She thinks it is incredible knowing which hospital her milk is delivered to and can’t wait for the next update email.

“How has your idea of breastfeeding evolved as you’ve gained more experience with it?”

“I always knew that I wanted to try to breastfeed, so I was ecstatic that I was able to for a full year with our first son, Colton. When our second son, Nolan, was born, he ended up being in the NICU for 5 days for a pneumothorax. I started pumping every three hours and I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to produce enough milk for him. Once my milk came in, I quickly realized that I had an oversupply. As we collected more and more and our freezers filled up, we considered buying an additional freezer. I knew�?that I could decrease my supply, but after seeing so many of my friends and family members struggle with their milk supplies,

I knew that my oversupply was a blessing, so I kept on pumping.

�?

That is when I started to do some research, and I found the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida.”

“What do you hope your children will gain�?when you explain to them what happened to your extra milk?”

“Since the beginning, I’ve told Nolan that he was sharing his milk to help other babies. He never had to have a single drop of frozen milk and we have been able to donate our entire frozen supply. I don’t know if they’ll have memories of me nursing them or seeing me with the pump, but they were definitely a part of this whole experience.

This is easily one of the things I am most proud of doing in my life, so I hope that my boys are able to see that.

It�?was a family effort from the very beginning. My husband, James, was supportive and encouraging from the start and helped with everything along the way. I hope that they always feel connected to this and will find ways throughout their lives to give back to others whenever they find an opportunity to.”

“Over 8,000 ounces of milk later, are you sad the process is ending?”

“I am definitely sad for this process to end! It really hit me when I was emptying out our freezers for this final donation. Yes, it took some time and effort to pump the extra milk, but I will never regret a single second of it. If you are able to produce more, please consider donating! Even if it’s only a few ounces, every one counts.

There are so many precious babies and parents out there who will treasure this gift.

It is definitely a sacrifice, but it is so worth it!”

Victoria is a special case. Not every donor needs a second freezer. Not every mom donates for a year. Each donor’s circumstances�?are as unique as the breast milk they produce. Some women are blessed with an oversupply and others are blessed with a generous community. In either case, we have a community of families raising their children to understand, right from birth, that they can change the world, even save lives, simply by giving to others.

Interview and article by Cheyenne Drews.

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The Life of a Milk Donor

A little background to begin: Krystal James is a well-known name at the Mothers’ Milk Bank. I know her donor number by heart and the usual nutritional content of her milk. I know she sends in large batches and I always imagined her pumping in her sleep. I never knew what her face looked like or who her family was, but I knew if she had sent in over 9,000 ounces of milk in 8 months, I had to hear her story. Krystal was generous enough to speak to me over the phone about her experiences thus far.

My first impression speaking to Krystal, was that she is a maven in the community of breastfeeding moms. She has a full house of three children, all only two years apart. When her baby came home from the hospital, she was pumping so much extra milk that she had to buy a second freezer. Hearing from a friend that there was such thing as donating milk, she inquired but wasn’t sure how well-received her participation would be. She posted a picture on her social media of her baby Emma next to her milk, and waited, nervous she would be met with disapproval.

It was a hit. Person after person complimented her on what a great effort she was exerting.

“That’s so wonderful that your wife is donating!”, her husband would hear at work.

Support was everywhere and Krystal found her routine. Pump before work, pump 2-3 times at work, pump before bed, wash, rinse, repeat.

I asked what the biggest challenges were to breast feeding and she said, “I have just had to become really good at multitasking. By breast feeding my third child, I’ve mastered pumping and typing. You can say I’m particularly experienced by now.”

I asked, “Why is it so important for you to donate?”

She said, “I have to give back. It feels great to do something for others in the middle of my day. I know that there’s a huge societal pressure to breastfeed, but some moms honestly just can’t for whatever reason. I’ve been blessed with plenty of extra milk, so I have to give back.”

This is the mom who has three kids, works full-time, and can still say with a laugh,

“So I have to pump at 4:30am. So what? I can save babies!”

With young minds around, I wondered what her children thought about Mommy’s milk taking over 2 freezers. She said she mostly packs up the boxes when they aren’t home, but they know where it’s going to wind up.

One time, her four-year-old daughter told someone,

“Mommy’s milk goes to sick babies in the hospital.”

When children are watching, they are learning.

Krystal plans on explaining to her little ones when they are older, exactly how her extra milk made a difference. She looks at it as lesson. In her busy schedule, she cannot volunteer, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make time for others. She wants her children to see that there is always time to give back and always a reason to.

“What can you say to new moms or first-time donors unsure of the whole process?” I asked.

With no hesitation she said, “Do it! If you have questions, ask me. If you want to know what it’s really like or you need pointers, please reach out. In the midst of my day, I still smile each time I see an email in my inbox that tells me which hospital my milk went to that day.”

 

We have a sign here at the milk bank, it reads:

“Every drop counts.”

In Krystal’s case, it’s every gallon. All 74 gallons she has donated thus far, and she isn’t finished yet.

 

 

Update: 

As of September, Krystal has sent in her final donations.

In the coming weeks, her last shipment of milk will be thawed, bottled, pasteurized, cultured for lab approval, and sent out to tiny babies in hospitals and NICUs.

Having donated hundreds of ounces, it is bittersweet to know her donor number will be retired. In a final message, I asked for her reflections as the process comes to an end.

We first heard from Krystal when she already had 1,000 ounces of milk stored, no room left for more. Almost a year later, her little girl celebrates her first birthday and Krystal hangs up her cape as a superhero.

“It’s been such an amazing experience.” Krystal said, remembering when it all began.

“At first I knew people thought I was ‘weird’ to be donating my milk, but the feedback and support I’ve received from everyone has been great. I’m actually disappointed this chapter is over. I wish I had a surplus the last two times I had children so I could have donated even more.”

We hear from many of our donors that they hadn’t known about donating breast milk and by the end of the process, they are advocates themselves.

“For anyone hesitant, I say just do it! Every time I get an email that my milk is at a hospital, it makes me smile… ”

“So far, my milk has been to 37 hospitals. I’m not sure how many babies it helps, but at the very least, I have helped 37 tiny little humans with my milk; if that’s not rewarding I don’t know what is!”

A few more emails will be sent her way, but the effect of her donor milk will continue to be apparent across Florida.

Wherever you wind up in this world Krystal, whoever your children grow up to be, be certain that you have made a difference. You may never meet the families or children receiving the milk you donated, but they are out there, thankful you made that first call to help a stranger.

 

Interview and article by Cheyenne Drews.


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The Miracle of Carey Hill

There is a children’s book based on a true story from the Central Park Zoo called And Tango Makes Three. It tells the story of two male penguins in love that want a baby penguin of their own. The zookeepers notice them trying to sit on and hatch a rock, so they help them adopt a discarded egg to raise. It was through this book that our spotlight recipients, Matt and Andrew, revealed to their family that they were adopting.

They were originally told the process could take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

They applied through an adoption agency in September, completed their family profile around Thanksgiving, and in March they received a call.

There were no specifics except a baby was born prematurely in Orlando and they were asked if they were interested in the case.

“Absolutely!” – and with that they were on a plane from D.C. to Winnie Palmer the next morning.

“We became her dads the next day.” 

This baby, new to the world, could not have found better caregivers parents that would pause their lives to be with her for the precious first weeks. Born sixteen weeks early, she was a mere 1 pound 7 ounces, no longer than a piece of paper.

“It became normal how small she was.” Matt said. 

Matt worked remotely to stay with their new little girl full-time and Andrew traveled back and forth to D.C. for work.

They named their baby Carey Hill, two names they both liked separately (one from a middle name, another from a grandmother’s maiden name) and together it just fit.

Regarding every aspect of adding her into the family Andrew said,

“Our hearts knew.” 

It was at about 35 weeks that their lives led to the milk bank. Carey Hill had been receiving donor milk, but was going to be switched to formula. Matt said there was no question about it, understanding each of the significant hurdles she had to overcome – they needed to keep her on donor milk.

I could hear his pride over the phone when he called the milk bank. I remember thinking, “This is someone honored to be a father.”

Each encounter only reaffirmed that impression, from the emergency milk delivery through torrential summer rain, to the final pick up of milk that would be carried on the plane.

Carey Hill had a developmental assessment week one and she performed far better than a typical baby in her case. Given her challenges, she was doing great and continues to do better and receive donor milk in D.C.

“I remember the first 1mL; we were so nervous to press the button.” Matt reflected on feeding his daughter. 

He said for him and Andrew, there was no exposure to breastfeeding prior to their experience of receiving donor milk. Overtime, they became incredibly grateful and learned the importance of the natural, life-saving food.

The NICU experience in itself was new, as there is no way to know what it is like until you are there yourself and can gain an appreciation for the families that endure the uncertainty and trials for months.

“NICU’s are places of tremendous hope. These patients have so much going for them. Be open to learning about medicine, the team, and about the child. Be active in patient care and as an advocate and voice.”

As for the milk donors, Matt and Andrew were continuously humbled by the community willing to give. It’s a closed-donation; shipping off the milk and knowing it benefits families desperately needing it for their babies’ survival. It’s important to share with others that receiving donor milk is an option and a great one at that.

“We are incredibly grateful to these women we will never know. They are part of our journey now.” 

Now, Carey Hill at 4 weeks corrected age, is 8 pounds 5 ounces and eating all the time!

To over 1,000 donors that have taken the time to pump for Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida since our opening in 2015, imagine how many journeys you have a role in.

To Matt and Andrew: Orlando will always welcome you with open arms and cheer you on. Congratulations on the beautiful family you are creating.

To little Carey Hill: I think you are exactly where you belong. <3

Interview and story by Cheyenne Drews. 

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In Solidarity

Hey it’s me, Cheyenne, that voice behind these social media posts and on the other side of the phone. I wanted to personally take a moment to let our community know that my time at Mothers’�?Milk Bank of Florida is coming to an end and I am so thankful for each of you.�?

My first day scrubbing in, I had never stepped foot in a lab, so it felt like I was playing out my dream to be on Grey’s Anatomy.

I was greeted with,

“It’s a great day to save babies!”

It has been a great two and a half years since then.

From hand-pouring milk from glass beakers to the installation of a pasteurizer, I watched the milk bank grow and burst at the seams to meet the needs of Florida babies. I traveled to other milk banks and felt the deep conviction to promote health among infants and education among women. I pushed for a more waste-conscious workplace and innovation-based staff.�?

As Operations Supervisor of the lab, I had the honor of working with one of the most efficient and committed groups of people I will ever encounter. There was no one else I would rather have spent 45 hours a week with. You are some of my best friends and I will miss your laughter, your singing, and your spirits.

You are a group of strong women that inspire me each day to give it my all, always with a smile.

 

Though we each come from different backgrounds and will eventually take different paths, know that it has been my honor to share a portion of my journey with you.�?

To the donors I screened and eventually retired, your advocacy is unmatched and your enthusiasm is what makes what we do at the milk bank possible.�?Kate: seriously consider working for the milk bank. Or starting a mommy blog. Or both. Maria and Jessica: you both separately stole my heart and taught me through your stories, pain, and resilience what love should look like.�?

To the few recipients I have been able to meet: you will always be the heart of what we do. Brody and Amy: you have been the�?background image of my work computer and the picture of our mission since we met. Carey Hill: you are in the best hands that could possibly raise you and I am thrilled to see who you become. Siena: your mom is like a small army of advocates for you, wrapped up in one inspiring person.�?

To the community out there: thank you for letting me tell your stories. You are setting the most incredible examples for your children and the children you will never meet. You continue to humble me, to inspire me, and I cherish the conversations we have shared.�?

The Mothers’ Milk Bank has been my foundation and will always have my support.

At this time, I will be moving on to work full-time for a campaign I greatly believe in. The female candidate believes�?deeply in the rights of women and families, so I’ll be advocating for the mission, just in a different arena.�?

It has been a pleasure supporting you, whether in person or in long-distance solidarity.

It’s in your hands now. Take a look at our ever-changing world and decide what impact you want to make. What should the children in schools remember your generation for? Will you leave more good than you take?�?


I think you will. I think you will be the warriors they write about in a hundred years. Thank you for the opportunity to write about you now.

With love and fond memories,�?
Cheyenne Drews

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Secret Santa: A Tale of Donating Milk

“How could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.”
The Grinch puzzled, looking for the meaning of Christmas, but in our case, maybe it can come in a box…

Cue Jessica Kasselman, mom of two, donating her extra breast milk (again!) to save the world, one premature baby at a time.

“I donated my excess supply to the milk bank after helping the community directly. Once I found out the milk bank was helping micropreemies, I knew I wanted to help.”

It’s still an idea cloaked by misconceptions and misunderstanding, so Jessica tells her own tale now.

To your kids, what will you tell them as to why you donated your milk?

“When you have an ability and are given an opportunity to help, always take it. Since we have an abundance of breast milk, it’s only right to share it with those that are in need!”

To the community, why is it important to be aware of milk banks and what they do?

“Breast milk banks are helping fragile babies survive and thrive! We are helping to build immunity and nourish the future of our world! It’s so important to�?give these babies everything they need.”

To the families of children in the NICU, what words of motivation could you offer about the community standing behind them?

“We are not standing behind you! We are standing BESIDE you!”

“There are people you have never met that are routing for you and your little fighter(s)!”

“It takes a village to raise our children and I’m so honored to be a part of your village. Even if a milk donation takes the slightest bit of stress away from you, that makes this whole thing worth it to me!”

Jessica has been able to see her children thrive and was thus, “inspired to share with the most needy population there was.”

Admittedly, it is not all bows and ribbons and it was not easier the second time around.

“I wish I could say it was like riding a bicycle for me, but it certainly hasn’t been.”

“Each child and experience is totally different.”

“Pregnancy, delivery, recovery, nursing, and pumping have all been unique experiences.

My supply is definitely different [this time]. In some areas, I feel like it’s my first time all over again. In others, it’s almost like muscle memory.”

The whole process, whether motherhood or milk donor, continues to be a learning process for all of us. It takes practice, commitment, and learning to ask for help.

“The best advice I was given was, ‘Don’t quit on a bad day.’�?

That one statement got me through the days when I wanted to�?give up, especially in the beginning.”

Jessica credits being involved with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) as incredibly helpful. She also recommends finding a breastfeeding support group.

“Go to meetings, meet other parents that are on a breastfeeding journey, and ask for help!”

One of her biggest supporters? Her husband and father of her two children.

In the beginning, he didn’t think the process would involve him, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.

“As a dad and husband, you are involved as much as you let yourself, from lactation cookie baking, to learning what foods help increase supply, to being a coach and supporter on the hard days.”

For someone that hadn’t ever been around breastfeeding, other than the occasional article or debate about doing it in public, his first exposure was huge.

“The process of being a breastfeeding mom is hard but rewarding. It’s made easier and more rewarding if [partners] help in any way possible and no matter what, [are] supportive.�?�?It’s a cheaper, natural, healthier way to feed your baby and ensure they get what they need.”

It makes a world of difference having supporters and advocates, even on the small scale. We all have something to learn when we’re introduced to a�?new life.

“I�?appreciate and respect the female anatomy on a whole different level, now that I see what the body is capable of [doing] to help the baby survive. Mothers are amazing and the power of breast milk is limitless.”

“And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas,�?perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Whatever you celebrate, may you do it together. As you take down your trees and reinvent in the new year, may you be inspired by the goodness of your community.

 

From all of us here at the milk bank, thank you to the families that shared their liquid gold in 2017. There was no greater gift you could have given.

 

Interview and article by Cheyenne Drews.

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Pumping for Others

Behind every donation, there is a story. This is Samantha’s. 

Samantha tried for three months to get her first baby, Ethan, to breastfeed, but was unsuccessful. She was in excruciating pain when she tried and though she met with six lactation consultants, Ethan would not latch. She pumped and bottle fed for the next five months. By then, life was too busy for the time required to set aside to pump. By that point, she was doing an ambulance internship to complete her Bachelor’s in Paramedicine. Then, at age two, Ethan gained a little brother.

On the last Wednesday of May in 2017, Samantha gave birth to her second baby boy, Liam. He was amazing at breastfeeding.

“I kept telling my husband in the hospital, ‘He’s doing it! He’s breastfeeding and it doesn’t hurt’, and I cried because I [had] wanted to breastfeed so badly.”

 

Having missed the opportunity for her first son, Samantha was so moved that she could feed. She cried with joy in the recovery room following her C-section.

“No words can accurately describe the feeling of knowing you’re exactly what your baby needs.”

The following week, she went out for breastfeeding-friendly clothes and bras, but then everything changed. Her newborn had developed a severe milk protein allergy. He was vomiting every time he was fed and couldn’t keep anything down. Scared, Samantha took him to a GI doctor and waited anxiously for the results.

 

“I was holding out hope and crossing everything I had because I loved that bond I had created with him.”

Unfortunately, Samantha received the news she dreaded; she could no longer breastfeed her baby.

“I was the comfort he always needed. When I fed him, he was instantly content. That is unbreakable and something I miss every day.” 

After much testing, they learned that baby Liam also couldn’t see and was aspirating his formula. What he must eat now, costs a whopping $57 a can. It is special-ordered with the most broken down proteins he can get.

 

Having seen a sign to donate milk at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Samantha made the decision to continue pumping her milk.

“I’ve stayed even more motivated since having three hospital stays with a sick baby of my own, wishing there was something someone could do to help him. If I can provide that to someone else’s baby, I am more than happy to.”

 

 

 

It wasn’t an easy journey from new mom to milk donor, but Samantha has no regrets. She has a great support system with her husband and friends, always commending her when she makes another donation and posts about it on social media.

Although saddened that what her body was making caused an allergic reaction with her own child, she thought it was important to share what could save other fragile babies.

“If someone could take 15 minutes, 4 times a day, and it would help my son grow and get better, I don’t know what I would do because I would be so grateful.”

 

Samantha is guided by her faith and humility to continue pumping and hopes to do it for at least a year. With a toddler and a 4-month old, setting aside fifteen minutes, 4-5 times a day isn’t easy and pumping can lead to cracked, raw nipples. However, the forced breaks throughout the day, have become something Samantha looks forward to. She can focus on her one task at hand, being a supermom.

 

Having seen the moms rush to the NICU to feed their babies every few hours, she empathizes with needing a break and an outstretched hand.

 

Samantha and her family kept the big-picture in mind throughout their journey. There were countless hospital visits for baby Liam, some an hour away, others requiring overnight stays, but her children, and those she’ll never meet, continued to be her motivation.

“Imagining the lives that will be helped and saved from a year of doing this, makes my heart smile and keeps me going every day! I feel like it’s my purpose and place to share [milk] where it is needed most! “

It has been no small feat, as Samantha has already donated over 3,000 ounces of milk since being approved as a donor in August 2017.

To Samantha I say: Your story may not read as you thought it would, but none of the best adventures do. May the bond you craved with your children, transfer to the ones you are blessed to have with little recipients you will never meet. May Liam and Ethan grow up knowing they have milk brothers and sisters and may you acknowledge, at least in those fifteen minute intervals you pump for, that you are changing the world.

 

Interview and article by Cheyenne Drews.

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Kailey’s Story

 January 29, 2015    No comments

When our first baby, Ember, came along, she lost 11 percent of her body weight in the first two days. By day three, we had to supplement her milk with formula.  We didn’t realize at the time that she was not draining my breasts well because her latch seemed good to the lactation consultants. But it impacted my milk dramatically, and for the first month, I was barely making 10 ounces of milk a day, even though Ember needed much more. I was so sad about it. After trying and trying we realized that she just wasn’t going to nurse well, so we switched her exclusively to eating out of a bottle. I had been both pumping and nursing since the day I left the hospital, but my milk was still very low. I started pumping for 30 minutes, eight times a day, sometimes more, to help my body start producing more milk. Very, very slowly, my milk increased. Over several weeks, I got up to making an ounce or two more than she needed each day, and I’ve been carefully saving and freezing that extra milk—little by little—so I could make a donation.

I first heard about the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida in 2011, when I emceed a fundraise screening of the film, Donor Milk: The Documentary. Since then, I have felt very passionate about helping to get mother’s milk to little babies who need it most. It was two years before I had a child of my own, but in all that time, I knew I wanted to donate. That’s one of the things that made it so disappointing when my milk did not come in well.  But we just kept working at it. It took a long time, and I was discouraged at various points in the journey, but eventually I was able to get my milk up and even save a little extra. Now, Ember is sweet, chubby, and thriving. We’re so excited to donate the extra milk to some little babies who aren’t thriving—yet.

Categories: Stories

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Amanda’s Story

 October 26, 2014    No comments

We all know that breast milk has so many benefits in the growth and development of newborns, more so than formula. It was very important to us that we exclusively breast fed especially since our little girl was born 3 months premature, weighing only 1 pound 4.7 ounces.

But with all the stress (which affects breast milk supply) and the fact that I was only 25 weeks when delivered I had a hard time getting my milk to come in. To us the donor breast milk was very beneficial in providing our baby with all the important nutrients she needed during this crucial period.

The donor milk made it possible for her to get what she needed even when I couldn’t provide it for her. At 4 months old our baby girl weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces. She is growing stronger and healthier each day!

 

Categories: Stories

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Innovations to Milk Banking

August 10, 2017 No comments

Exciting innovations are coming to The Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida. Just a month after receiving an annual accreditation, we are adding another new feature. We pride ourselves on constantly pushing the envelope to be more efficient, sustainable, and safe, and we received great reviews by Kim, visiting from our mentor bank in Texas. A great deal of credit must be given to the staff and volunteers. They have been continuously dedicating long days to ensure donor milk can be sent to save tiny humans.

We are thrilled to announce that our donor screening packet is now online! After an initial phone screening, donors can fill out their packet from their phones and computers by simply visiting a link they receive. Rather than having to wait for postal mail, print and scan documents, or email us back PDFs, potential donors are able to speed through the process so that we can provide safe human donor milk to more fragile babies. This was made possible by a generous individual of Lux Scientiae Inc. Upon speaking with Russel Corsini, we had to share his spirit.

 

Russel began in the healthcare field ten years ago working for Philips. There he developed products and services to help the elderly in their homes. For a year and a half now, he has worked on HIPPA compliant applications, a necessary security measure that the Human Milk Banking Association of North America requests milk banks implement for their donors.

 

“How user-friendly is the application?” I inquired.

“I spent a lot of time making it easy to follow the questions and looking for anything that might hinder donors. My goal was to make it as efficient as possible.”

The collaboration between individuals from different fields for a larger cause, embodies the community-based mindsest it takes to save lives. We are tapping into the skills of charitable groups and creating a network, driven by the shared goal to give back.

“Had you known about milk banking before taking on this project?”

“I hadn’t heard about it. At home, I have two kids and am so thankful that they were healthy. Someone can only begin to sympathize with families in the stressful time after birth. A lot of people are really unaware of the prevalence of premature births.”

“Tell us about your role in donor screening now.”

“As technology improves, healthcare can too. I think the mobile design will really benefit the younger crowd and moms still in the hospital. Having to print something severely limits accessibility, not to mention it’s more wasteful.”

“Would other milk banks be able to benefit from this advancement?”

“I really think so. I want to help others in the same way. If it’s working in Florida, we should put the same application in place elsewhere.”

 

Russell proved that all members of the community can contribute to saving lives if they have the passion for it.

“We have the skills that can benefit an organization and if we put them to good use, we can ultimately help a much larger cause. We can make a positive impact on the lives of donors as well as tiny new lives and that’s a honor to be a part of.”

 

 

Interview and article courtesy of Cheyenne Drews.

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Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week

 August 1, 2017    No comments

World Breastfeeding Week is here! Each day this week, we will be posting in association with a thematic area that

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org has declared. They are as follows:

NUTRITION, FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY REDUCTION

SURVIVAL, HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

WOMEN’S PRODUCTIVITY AND EMPLOYMENT

 

 

 

 

“The Global Big Latch On takes place annually at registered locations around the world, where women gather together to breastfeed and offer peer support to each other. Their friends, family and community join this celebration to promote and celebrate breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week (1st– 7th August). As a worldwide peer support and community development event, it aims to strengthen national and global support for breastfeeding and to improve the health of children and women around the world.”

“Hello FLCA Members! Wear your favorite breastfeeding/advocacy item to our World Breastfeeding Week celebration on Saturday, August 12, 2017. Whether you choose a shirt, pin, scarf, necklace or socks – let’s recognize breastfeeding in a visible way as we gather for our FLCA business meeting, luncheon and education. Attending virtually? Please post a selfie to the FLCA Facebook page by noon 8/12/17 so we may blanket all of Florida and beyond with our WBW celebrations! See you in August and Happy World Breastfeeding Week!!”