Donor Gabrielle chases toddlers and helps preemies with her donations

“I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Quenton, for five years. I am a mother to four amazing children: Arion (4), Sydni (2), Lincoln (1), and my bonus son, Elijah (19). Before stepping into full-time motherhood, I spent several years in the beauty industry and owned my own salon. These days, I’ve traded giving manicures and pedicures for chasing toddlers, and I’m soaking in every moment of this beautiful season of life.

My body has given me the greatest gift, my dream children, and I am deeply committed to taking care of them. Whether I’m at the gym or enjoying a walk outdoors, movement is how I reconnect with myself. It’s also how I stay healthy, strong and present, not just for my family, but for me.

When I’m not momming, you’ll find me lifting weights, reading fiction on my Kindle, vibing to R&B or tuned into a personal development podcast. Life is full and I’m so grateful to be able to pour from a cup that is both nurtured and nourished.

After Arion was born, I was an overproducer and became a donor out of pure survival. Our freezer was packed with breastmilk, and we started running out of room for real food. That’s when I came across Tiny Treasures Milk Bank. Once I learned that my extra milk could help nourish and support critically ill NICU babies, it was an easy ‘yes.’

What started as a practical solution turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of my motherhood journey. I just completed my third donation journey, and over the course of those journeys, I’ve had the honor of supporting NICU babies and their families by donating over 22,000 ounces of breast milk. Knowing that something my body produced could help save or strengthen a fragile life is a feeling I’ll never forget. It gave purpose to the overflow and connected me to something so much bigger than myself.

There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but I always reminded myself why I started.

Every ounce I pumped was a chance to help a baby in the NICU, and that gave every session a sense of purpose. The sacrifice was real, but the impact made it completely worth it.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been the ability to help my family financially while staying home with my children. As a stay-at-home mom, being compensated for my donations allowed me to contribute in a meaningful way: not just to the NICU babies I was helping, but also to my own household. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to know that something so natural and nurturing can create a ripple effect of impact, both inside and outside my home.”

* Any views, opinions, findings, assertions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.