Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast: Saving Lives of Premature Babies

NEWTON– Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast brought together about 100 local stakeholders in recognition of National Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month to raise awareness of the role donor milk plays in protecting the lives of premature newborns. With premature births on the rise nationwide, the need for donor milk in NICUs has never been greater.

Premature births are increasing in the United States, putting increasing strain on neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and highlighting the urgent need for donor human milk to support medically fragile infants. “For premature babies, especially those born extremely early, human milk is their only safe source of nutrition,” said Dr. Gina Trachimowicz, neonatologist and medical director at Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast. “When a mother’s own milk is unavailable, nonprofit milk banks like ours provide a vital resource, having supplied over 178,000 bottles of donor milk last year to hospitals and families in need.”

During the event, Deborah Youngblood, CEO of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, and Dr. Robert M. Insoft, MD, Chair Elect of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast and Chief Operating Officer at Franciscan Children’s Hospital, emphasized the organization’s plans to expand its capacity to meet this ever-growing need. They also encouraged support for the Insoft Challenge, a fundraising initiative that offers up to $150,000 in matching gifts to support the bank’s expansion efforts.

“Every ounce of donor milk is more than nutrition; it represents a chance for fragile babies to survive and thrive,” said Youngblood. We are incredibly grateful to the Insoft family for their generous contribution, which will help us scale our operations and serve more families in crisis.”

Dr. Insoft, who has spent his career in neonatology, added, “Donor milk is essential for the most vulnerable babies. The Insoft Challenge is designed to ensure that Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast can continue to meet the growing demand and be prepared for the future needs of newborns.”

Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast urges community members, healthcare partners, and philanthropic leaders to join the effort by supporting the Insoft Challenge. Your contribution will directly impact the lives of the most vulnerable babies in our region.

For media inquiries, interviews, and more information about how you can support the mission of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, please contact:

Kelly Hynes McDermott

(508) 272-7070

kelly@khynescommunications.com

Website: https://milkbankne.org

About Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast

Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast is a nonprofit organization committed to providing safe, pasteurized donor human milk to infants in need. In partnership with hospitals, healthcare providers, and families, the organization ensures that fragile infants receive the best possible start in life. Since 2011, Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast has been screening milk donors, pasteurizing milk, and distributing it to over 100 hospitals and families across the Northeastern United States.