Donor Testimonials

Click here to read more By the time my third daughter Lindsey was 4 weeks old, I started pumping extra milk and freezing it in the event that my milk production decreased and Lindsey wasn’t quite ready to be weaned. After 2 months, I realized that my freezer had reached its maximum capacity of milk storage and I began to throw the pumped milk away. I would occasionally rotate out the older frozen milk to replace it with the freshly pumped milk, but that got to be an overwhelming task. At one point I was throwing away 10 oz of milk each day. Though it made me feel guilty seeing all this milk go to waste, there was no need for me to keep so much milk. Then a friend from work mentioned to me that there are breast milk banks that would take milk donations to provide for babies who are either premature or critically ill. I started searching the web to look for a milk bank and this is how I came across the International Breast Milk Project. I learned about IBMP and their joint effort with Prolacta Bioscience and their mission – providing milk to babies in South Africa who are either infected with HIV or orphaned because their mothers have past away because of AIDS.

Once I applied and was qualified as a donor, within a few weeks I was supplied with bottles and coolers and detailed instructions for shipping my frozen milk. The milk bank made the entire process so effortless, all I literally had to do was simply provide the milk, and of course, time. I have to admit though, that there were nights when I was too tired to think of pumping, but I forced myself to do so because each time I pump, I was providing a meal to an orphan in South Africa. I knew I couldn’t donate forever, so I wanted to do as much as I could while I was still able, sort of like my own personal mission. When I told my friends and neighbors about my donation, the first reaction I used to get is that they didn’t know that one could donate breast milk. I didn’t know that either, and this is my third child! Occasionally, though, I get the most rewarding reaction from friends when I am told that I’m providing to such a wonderful cause and that they are going to pass this information on to new moms.

Donating milk turned into a family effort. Every 3 weeks, my husband and 3 yr. old daughter Hannah would pack up 32 5-ounce bottles and drive the cooler off to ship by FedEx, which was paid for by the milk bank. Hannah would say that we’re taking mommy’s milk to the milk store to send it to all the hungry babies. Even now, every time Hannah sees the FedEx truck, she would exclaim “Look Daddy, there’s the milk truck!” By the end of May 2007, I calculated that I had shipped over 10 gallons of breast milk. I had to finally stop donating because Lindsey was approaching 1 year and I could tell that my milk supply was diminishing. It brought me great sadness to decide to end this personal mission because I had formed a tiny bond with the people who organized this donation project and with the faceless babies that I have helped. All I can do now is continue to tell my experience to new moms and help educate people what they can do with their extra milk. I am only 5-ft tall and weigh just barely 100 pounds, but was able to donate as much as I did. So it doesn’t take a big person to do this, just a person with a big heart. Being part of this breast milk project has been the most rewarding service that I’ve participated in. My husband is very proud of my efforts and I can proudly tell the experience to Lindsey some day when she can appreciate it. Until then, I hope that some day donating breast milk will be as common an idea as donating blood.

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Hello! My name is Stephanie Kunz.

Click here to read more I am a stay at home of a 21/2 yr old girl & one more on the way in Summer of 2008! How exciting to be a mom of two, when i never thought I would have any!! The International Breast Milk Project is such a wonderful organization. My great friend from college is the local IL chapter president & her dedication towards helping you makes me want to get involved as well. I think she is an amazing women who really inspires ALL our ladies in the chapter here to get involved as much as we do! We will continue to help out as much we can & help God's little ones benefiting from the milk as much they can. Blessings!

Stephanie Kunz

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Hi I want to thank Angelina White for doing a great job as the IBMP chapter president.

Click here to read more She really helped to spread the word on the benefits on breastfeeding and the need to donate breast milk. I joined not only because she is a good friend of mine but also because I believe in the organization that she introduced me to. I am very thankful to her because she not only told me all the great benefits of breastfeeding for my kids but for myself as well. If I didn't no Angel I probably would not have breastfeed and I wouldn't of known about this wonderful organization. I am glad to be apart of this great organization and I am very excited to watch it grow.

Liz Kammer

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My name is Heather Francis, and I am the mother of a three year old daughter who I nursed for just over two years.

Click here to read more Although I can no longer donate breastmilk, I wholeheartedly support the ideals of International Breast Milk Project (IBMP). Breastfeeding is one of the most precious gifts a mother can give her child, and through the efforts of IBMP, the opportunity to give that amazing gift to so many other children is realized. Many thanks to Jill for developing such a phenomenal foundation to help little ones stateside and internationally.

Heather Francis

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Margaret D. Schoepski, Breast Milk Donor

" Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." Helen Keller

Click here to read more A worthy purpose. The International Breast Milk Project provides worthy purpose in my life. This worthy purpose fulfills a need in me to help others, to make a contribution to this world and to relieve suffering and pain.

I became a milk donor after the birth of my second child. It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. I felt complete. The rush of emotions I felt from nourishing my own child was only enhanced as I helped children who so desperately need it. Together with the IBMP team, we act as agents of change.

There are so many crisis in the world that can seem overwhelming. The IBMP provides me with an opportunity to work together with other woman for change and make a profound impact. It is an empowering, beautiful program. The leadership is committed to efficient and effective use of all resources; financial support as well as milk donations.

I encourage eligible mothers to consider becoming a milk donor and everyone to consider making a financial gift. You’ll receive far more than you give!

Margaret D. Schoepski, Breast Milk Donor

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