Dear Little One,
Although I may never know your name or the journey that brought you here, I believe in your potential to achieve remarkable things. You deserve every opportunity to thrive, so I urge you to keep fighting with all your strength. Whatever challenges lie ahead, keep pushing forward.
And to your mother—my heart goes out to her during this incredibly tough time. Watching her baby struggle must be heart-wrenching, and I know both of you could use a helping hand right now. If my breast milk can provide any comfort or nourishment, it brings me immense joy. The countless hours I’ve spent pumping, cleaning, and preparing this milk for you are all worthwhile.
I’ve chosen to be a donor for various reasons. There’s often a stigma associated with donor milk; some see it as an admission of defeat, as though parents are giving up on their child. Yet many mothers wish to provide breast milk but face obstacles that prevent them from doing so. This is where donors like myself can make a difference.
My motivation comes from stories like yours. My friend, Jenna, works as a neonatal nurse and has shared with me how even a single ounce of breast milk can make a world of difference for tiny fighters like you. It brings comfort and strength that words can hardly explain.
Somewhere out there, a parent is watching their child battle for survival, separated by a glass wall. They are nourishing you with a tiny syringe, not knowing if their next meal will come. As I pump in the quiet of night, while my family sleeps, I think of you both. Each moment spent with a machine that is not my own baby’s feels like a sacrifice, but it’s one I willingly make. I count, clean, and package each ounce while sending my prayers your way. Yes, it’s a labor of love, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling.
Globally, over 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, with around 500,000 in the United States alone. Babies are classified based on their gestational age, and those born weighing less than 1.75 pounds are considered micro preemies. These little ones, like you, often spend their early days in incubators surrounded by machines, tubes, and dedicated healthcare professionals. No parent wants to be in the NICU, and every parent dreams of the day they can take their baby home. Research shows that breast milk offers long-term benefits for preterm infants, packed with the essential vitamins, antibodies, and stem cells they need.
So embrace this journey. Fight on and grow up to do extraordinary things! I believe in you.
I want all parents to know that a community stands with them. To those of you with little ones in the NICU, my silent support is with you. I can only imagine the bright future your baby holds!
With love,
Donor Number: 0000060340