Being brave for babies . . .
Confession: I am shy.
Whenever I say this, now many years into my career as a leader, people look at me dubiously. After all, I’m often front and center. I lead meetings, present to groups, and talk to the press. There is a difference, however, between what we have learned to do because it’s important and our inner selves. Take me to a party and I’ll generally end up in a quiet corner—happily chatting with just one other person. My husband, on the other hand, will be entertaining the troops, naturally drawing people into his light.
I tell you this because over the past month I’ve had a lot of wonderful opportunities to be the spokesperson for Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast. And so, I pushed through to tell anyone and everyone who would listen how nonprofit milk banking protects fragile newborns. Why? Because newborns can’t speak for themselves, it’s up to us to advocate for them. And that’s the kind of motivation that inspires me to take the mic – to be brave for babies. Day after day, that’s what drives me, but during a month as meaningful as Prematurity Awareness Month? Courage is the only option!
From Vegas to Rhode Island . . .
First, I was invited to talk about our nonprofit mission and how we help babies and families on a fabulous podcast called One Big Boat. Podcasts are new for us, but I knew it was going to be okay when I arrived at the recording studio and was greeted by Vegas. This sweet yellow lab immediately identified me as a dog person and stuck by my side throughout the interview.
Just days later, we opened our new donor milk dispensary in Portland, Maine, which was incredibly rewarding all by itself. But the excitement only grew when a local reporter invited us to collaborate on a story exploring what this milestone means for families. My favorite part? Hearing from local parents and caregivers who’ve already benefited from this improved access to safe, reliable donor milk. My comment? “When you’re a new parent, when you have a new baby, anything that makes life a little bit easier is a good thing.” And we’re proud to be doing one good thing!
To top it all off, we received a wonderful response to an article I co-authored with our brilliant medical director, Dr. Gina Trachimowicz. Two local television stations reached out for live in-studio interviews (deep breaths, Deb!) to help raise awareness about premature babies and the protective role of donor milk. First up: Boston 25 News Now at 3, immediately followed by WPRI for their Community Focus segment with Kim Kalunian.
Breathe . . . breathe . . .
Taking the opportunity . . .
Today I’m in my office at the milk bank doing what comes most naturally to me, writing. I hear the laughter of staff members, someone singing along to music in our distribution area, and my colleague next door speaking with an outpatient family on the phone. I don’t have to think about whether I wore the right sweater for TV (no stripes, my communications person Kerrie reminds me!) or worry that I might suddenly forget everything I know.
But tomorrow, next week, or next month, I’ll have more opportunities to be brave for babies. And I’ll take them—they deserve it.
P.S. This Prematurity Awareness Month, we were thrilled to welcome a new spokesperson for babies and milk banking: Parker Henry, wife of New England Patriots player Hunter Henry. As a mom and former labor and delivery nurse, Parker has always had a heart for helping babies and families flourish. You can hear her important message here.
You don’t need to grab a mic to make a difference . . .
There are so many ways to show up for families and babies in need this holiday season! Interested in becoming a milk donor? Learn more here. Prefer to make a financial gift? Just $35 provides 20 holiday meals for tiny tummies – help give these little fighters the strong start they deserve.
