Last week, we had the pleasure of gathering with friends, old and new, to celebrate twenty years of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast.
It was an evening to pause and appreciate everything this community has made possible over the past twenty years. We celebrated the babies nourished, the families supported, the donors who made it possible, and the countless people who have helped this work grow along the way.
Our Board Chair, Robert Insoft, MD, and Medical Director, Gina Trachimowicz, MD, shared reflections on the milk bank’s journey, the generosity behind every ounce of donor milk, and the importance of building for the future.
Because this evening was never just about looking back. It was about looking ahead to the future we’re building alongside the people who believe that every baby deserves the chance to grow and thrive.
It Started With an Idea
Twenty years ago, Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast was just an idea.
Today, our work reaches more than 100 hospitals and thousands of families every year. Over the past two decades, we’ve provided more than 7 million ounces of safe donor human milk for fragile babies. And while that’s absolutely worth celebrating, we know we can’t stop here. Today’s milk bank is excellent, but it simply wasn’t built to serve all of tomorrow’s babies.
In Robert’s words: “families across the Northeast deserve a first-class milk bank.”
And we’re ready to build it.
For babies like Tobin who relied on donor milk to help him grow during his NICU stay.
For moms like Cailee who worked so hard to breastfeed her son and just needed a little help.
And for parents like Maddy and Nick who found comfort in donating milk to help other fragile babies after the loss of their son, Connor.
These are the stories behind the numbers. The reason this work matters. And the reason we’re so focused on what’s ahead.
Care for Today. Capacity for Tomorrow.
Building the next generation of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast will take all of us. There are two important ways you can help.
1. Your Annual Fund Gift
Keeps a steady supply of safe, reliable donor milk flowing to babies and families who need it.
2. Your Gift to Growing Our Futures
Invests in the people, equipment, and space needed to expand our capacity, helping us support more hospitals and make this vital resource available to more babies and families. Thanks to The Robert and Andrea Insoft Challenge, gifts to Growing Our Futures are matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $150,000.
You can support the Annual Fund, Growing Our Futures, or both.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Village
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came to celebrate with us, and to everyone who has been part of this journey. Whether you’ve been with us for twenty years or just twenty minutes, you’re part of this village, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll do next.
P.S. Missed our 20th anniversary celebration? Then you also missed our anniversary video, but don’t worry, you can still catch it here!
Special thanks to our event sponsors, Yale Appliance Foundation, The Miriam Fund, and Steven and Susan Insoft, along with everyone who contributed their time and talent to make our twenty-year celebration so special.
