5/5/21: Update! You did it! You helped me reach my personal goal of $450. I'll match all of your gifts! Thank you for supporting The Milk Bank and their work to get donor milk to babies in need. 

If you haven't make your gift yet, you can still contribute here to help achieve the $7,500 goal!

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I'll match every gift on my page, up to $450!

In August, our family welcomed Betsy.

After laboring for about 24 hours, Betsy was welcomed into the world! We were delighted that our second daughter had arrived. Betsy was having trouble with the fluid in her lungs and the care team quickly realized she needed to have a short stay with our NICU team.

I was still in the midst of surgery when I was asked "do you want us to give her formula or donor milk?" by a nurse.

After her birth, I wanted nothing more than to nurse her myself, but I couldn't. She needed care. I needed a little bit of rest. I asked for donor milk. For me, it was a relief to know that she was getting the nutrition I would have liked to provide. 

It was as if another mama said "I've got your back."

I was able to get some sleep and let some of the drugs from surgery leave my body. Tom was with Betsy, making sure she was getting the nutrition and care that she needed. After a few hours of sleep, I woke up excited and a bit more clear-headed. I was able to safely hold my baby and nurse her for the first time.

To that mystery donor mama, thank you. 

I hope that more families can have experiences like mine, which is why I'm asking my friends and family to join me in giving $4.50 to provide an ounce of milk to fragile infants. Together, we'll make a difference in the infant mortality in Indiana. Together, we'll help more babies reach their first birthdays!