Donor Stories
"My husband, Chad, and I have been married for 3 years. We are blessed with handsome 16-month-old twin boys, Lincoln and Bentley, and a 20-year-old daughter, Tiffany, from Chad's previous marriage. We live in Missouri and I work full-time as a commercial credit analyst. Life is crazy and doesn't seem like it's going to slow down anytime soon, but that's one of the things I love about it!
When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I knew I wanted to breastfeed them for at least 6 months. I took classes, read books, and was determined to master tandem feeding! Both boys ended up having difficulty latching and trouble gaining weight, and after much anxiety, I elected to stick with pumping. It wasn't the path I wanted, but it still provided my boys with the nutrition they needed.
When the twins were 2 months old we learned they had a dairy intolerance and that I needed to change my diet to continue providing them with milk. As an over producer, I had a large stash of milk that they could no longer drink. I searched for a way to utilize this milk and found Tiny Treasures.
It has been so rewarding being able to help babies in the NICU through this program. I'm working toward my initial goal of donating 10,000 ounces while providing for my boys until they're 2. So far, I've donated over 7,500 ounces, and my boys are 16 months old. We're still going strong!
With the crazy cost of childcare, my husband has elected to stay home with our boys. He has a part-time driving business, which has been negatively impacted by Covid-19. Donation compensation has helped us pay bills and relieve some of the financial pressure.
My advice to new donors: Be patient and proud. The process to become a donor and meet milk bank criteria is not easy, but it is so rewarding! What you're doing is beyond amazing, no matter your reasons. It is an elite group that can say they have not only provided for their own loved ones, but also for others.
Stand tall and be proud of your accomplishments. You've earned it!”