ConceiveAbilities, a surrogacy and egg donation agency dedicated to empowering women to find their giving journey, is once again relaunching the exceptionally impactful #MilkBankChallenge.
In two years, 50,000 individuals have joined the #MilkBankChallenge to identify lactating women and make a lifesaving impact on infants in need of nourishment. During this time, 1,500 generous lactating women have donated nearly two million ounces of breastmilk to local milk banks nationwide. Notably, in the past year alone, the #MilkBankChallenge accounted for an estimated 15% of the entire national volume of donated breast milk.
The continuation of the #MilkBankChallenge recognizes the profound influence that a single act of generosity can have on those facing challenges. It aims to support lactating women who want to make a difference by not only donating their own breast milk to help infants in need, but also inspiring other lactating women to join the giving journey.
ConceiveAbilities’ Founder Nazca Fontes initiated the #MilkBankChallenge to assist milk banks in replenishing their supply during the infant formula shortage. Since then, it continues as a significant movement. “Our vision to create a positive impact for families in need of nourishment has gained widespread attention, spreading rapidly across communities,” offers Fontes. “We are steadfastly dedicated to providing support for strong family foundations and for women who long to be part of these giving, growing and empowering communities.”
The challenge runs until June 30, 2024. Be #Empowered by sharing this link with any lactating woman and helping others.
Everyone can play a role in the 2024 #MilkBankChallenge and earn rewards. Create a Link and text, email and share that link on your social channels with potentially lactating women. For each person in your community who enters their information to learn more about the #MilkBankChallenge, you earn a $5 reward and so do they!
Second, donate breast milk to help families. Your donation can make a profound impact and every donor receives a $250 gift card for her time and effort.
In the midst of a national baby formula shortage, many American families were struggling to feed their infants. Inspired by the giving nature of their surrogates, ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy and Egg Donor Agency launched the #MilkBankChallenge, a movement to replenish milk bank supplies across the nation to help these families in need. And you responded first by achieving 50,000 ounces of donor milk, then 350,000 and finally reaching over 650,000 ounces of milk in 2022.
“In our work to help build families for more than twenty-five years, we know that many women find purpose in helping other families at a time of great need," shared Founder Nazca Fontes, adding, “Like surrogacy, milk banks play a vital role in supporting families. We stand ready to assist all women who are able to help lift up other women, mothers, and families and help provide much needed nutrition to their babies. While there is - yet still - so much work to be done to address the infant formula shortage, we hope an increase of breast milk donations will be a lifeline for these families at this critical time.”
Gina-Marie Madow, Director of Legal Services, adds, “Our surrogates are incredibly giving and often donate their breast milk after their surrogacy journey. By inspiring more women to donate, we hope those who are facing this uncertainty can rest easy at night knowing they can provide critical nutrition for their babies.”
Listen to our podcast Is The Infant Formula Shortage Over? with HMBANA Executive Director Lindsay Groff to learn more about why replenishing milk banks across America is so important.
You may be asking yourself "How Do I Donate My Breastmilk?" Watch our How To Pump, Ship and Donate Breast Milk Surrogacy Tutorial featuring Lactation Expert Lenna Gregory from Mothers Milk Bank Denver and HMBANA Board of Directors.
Read more about How to Donate Your Breastmilk
Do you want more information how to donate your breastmilk? Find a Milk Bank Near You
Do you need help finding lactation consultant services? Find a lactation consultant near you.
We appreciate all the national and local journalists who have helped us spread the word about the opportunity to make a difference to infants and families in great need for the vital nutrition of breast milk.
Want to know more about how we support our surrogates who pump for their intended family or donate to milk banks after their surrogacy journeys?
ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency is committed to #Empowering women to find their purpose and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Lactation support is an important component of its All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package, recognizing the significance of the fourth trimester in postpartum recovery.
And, are you a woman who enjoyed a healthy and successful pregnancy? Do you have friends or family who have suffered from infertility or need assistance from someone else to build their family? Have you ever considered the role you could play in helping someone else build their family - as a surrogate? Learn more about the process of helping someone else's dream of building a family come true. We would love to talk with you.