Welcome to the Fund an Ounce Reveal the Impact series! The Milk Bank’s largest fundraiser, Fund an Ounce, ensures that the most vulnerable babies continue to have access to the safe donor milk they need.
Each week, we’ll reveal stories of babies and families who have been impacted by The Milk Bank across our 20-year history. Thanks to your support of Fund an Ounce, we’ll be able to continue serving families just like baby Bailen’s. Read his story of impact below.
Kelsey, baby Bailen’s mother, shares how The Milk Bank ensured he was able to access safe donor milk during his incredibly stressful surgery and medical recovery.
“My son Bailen had a major cranial surgery to correct a congenital condition at 10 weeks old. During his recovery, he had no interest in nursing. He was in pain in the beginning, and it hurt him to nurse. It was just so much easier for him to take expressed milk from a bottle.
Since my pumping output was just under his daily intake, we needed some help patching our supply. I am so appreciative of the donor milk we were able to purchase through The Milk Bank!
With the peace of mind I had with that supply cushion, I could focus less on matching my son’s needs ounce for ounce when I pumped and more on comforting him through a stressful surgery and recovery.
The Milk Bank provides such a crucial service, and I can’t say thank you enough.”
Your support not only provides safe, pasteurized donor milk to fragile babies but also helps us serve more outpatient families after they’ve been discharged from the hospital. Twenty percent of our milk goes to support these families, ensuring their babies continue to receive the essential nutrition they need. The Milk Bank is one of the few Milk Banks that can provide pasteurized, safe donor milk to families in this situation, giving their babies the healthy start they deserve.
With 31 milk expresses across Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, we make it easy for families to access donor milk at convenient locations close to home or even at the hospital. Every dollar raised helps us ensure all families have access to the best start in life for their babies.
Thank you to every financial donor who has contributed to Fund an Ounce so far! Every $5 raised provides up to three feedings of safe pasteurized donor human milk for infants born too soon, too sick, or too small. Make a gift to Fund an Ounce today to provide more feedings for babies just like Bailen.