For this Reveal the Impact story, we're highlighting Courtney's milk donor journey! Her breastfeeding journey was full of issues early on, but "every time I successfully filled her tiny tummy, I told myself just keep going. We went through every complication you could think of. Latch issues, cracking and bleeding, low supply, thrush, over supply, mastitis, etc. Fast forward to today and we are breastfeeding with no issues almost four months in! I just recently became a milk donor (and officially made my first donation!) and it is honestly the BEST feeling! I learned about The Milk Bank and it was a no brainer for me. I fought so hard to be able to make breastfeeding work, so why not share that liquid gold with other babies that need it or other mamas that can’t breastfeed?! I filled out the forms online and every step was a breeze. I strongly encourage any mamas out there thinking about it to do it! You don’t have to have an over supply to donate either! Any excess milk, even just caught in a haakaa, can be donated. Trust me, it’s such a heart warming feeling, and so so worth it. ❤” When you give to our Fund an Ounce campaign, your gift will support our milk donor services, ensuring every single ounce can get to the most fragile infants. There's only a few days left to give! Make a donation now at bit.ly/fund-an-ounce-donate (fb)

Sensitivity alert: This post discusses infertility and loss. After close to a decade of struggling with infertility, IVF, and unsuccessful surrogacy attempts, Sheryl and Bobby chose to explore adoption. Luckily, they were matched with baby Matthew and joyfully welcomed him to their family. As soon as they got the news about baby Matthew, they began searching for a way to get him access to safe donor human milk. "Coming from a research and scientific background, I know just how amazing the human body is and the the nutrients and the antibodies that are produced within breast milk can't come from anywhere else," said Sheryl. Since Sheryl wasn't able to provide breast milk to Matthew, she turned to The Milk Bank and the Milk Express site in Lafayette, IN to get access to pasteurized donor human milk for Matthew. This milk nourished Matthew, but also helped Sheryl heal from the trauma of her infertility journey. "I think using donor breast milk kind of heals that emotional trauma in a way and helps us feel whole." Consider making a financial gift to Fund an Ounce today to support The Milk Bank's outpatient milk access through our Milk Express sites. A gift of any amount will help ensure babies and their families can access safe donor milk when needed. Make your gift today at bit.ly/fund-an-ounce-donate (fb)