For many new mothers, breastfeeding is a deeply personal and rewarding experience, however, for breast cancer survivors, the journey is often quite different. Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can impact milk production or make breastfeeding impossible. Yet, the desire to provide the benefits of breast milk to their babies remains strong.

This is where Share the Drop comes in—a web app designed to connect families in need of donor breast milk with local, willing donors in a safe and community-driven way.

The Inspiration Behind Share the Drop

Share the Drop was founded by Kelly Cox, a breast cancer survivor and birth doula who has helped families source milk locally for years. After seeing the challenges families went through to secure milk, Kelly was inspired to create a platform that would make the process easier, safer, and more accessible. Her mission is to ensure that no parent has to navigate this journey alone and that every baby has access to the nourishment they deserve.

The Need for Donor Breast Milk Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer treatments can leave survivors facing challenges such as a reduced milk supply or a complete inability to lactate. For those who have undergone mastectomies, producing breast milk is not an option. Despite these hurdles, many still wish to nourish their babies with human milk due to its unmatched nutritional and immunological benefits.

While formal milk banks exist, they prioritize medically fragile infants and can be costly. Informal milk sharing, when done safely, offers an accessible alternative. This is where Share the Drop becomes a crucial resource for breast cancer survivors looking for donor milk without the barriers of high costs or limited availability.

How Share the Drop Works

Based in the USA (for now – there are plans afoot to go global), Share the Drop is a user-friendly web app designed to make breast milk sharing safe, easy, and local. Users can create an account, input their zip code, and connect with others in their area who are either looking for or donating milk. The platform fosters a sense of trust and community by facilitating direct communication between recipients and donors.

One of the biggest concerns with informal milk sharing is safety, and Share the Drop encourages open dialogue about donor health, lifestyle, and milk handling practices. Since the app does not involve payment for milk, it helps ensure that donations remain altruistic and free from financial incentives that could compromise safety.

Subscription and Fee Waivers

To sustain the platform and ensure continuous access, Share the Drop operates on a subscription model for recipients. Those looking for milk pay a monthly subscription fee for unlimited access to the donor base and messaging system. However, to ensure accessibility, fee waivers are available for families who qualify for WIC or SNAP benefits. Donors never pay any fees to participate. 

The Feed It Forward Program

 Share the Drop is committed to fostering a spirit of generosity and support through its Feed It Forward program. This initiative allows community members and those who have received donor milk in the past to contribute funds that help cover subscription costs for families in need. Through this program, more breast cancer survivors and other parents facing milk shortages can access donor milk without financial strain, ensuring that every baby has the opportunity to thrive.

A Community of Support

Beyond simply facilitating milk exchanges, Share the Drop offers something just as valuable: connection. Breast cancer survivors navigating new motherhood often feel isolated in their experiences. By using this platform, they are not only securing vital nutrition for their babies but also finding support among others who understand the importance of shared nourishment and generosity.

For many survivors, receiving donor milk is more than just feeding their child—it’s an emotional bridge to an experience they may have felt was lost to cancer. It represents resilience, community, and the unwavering love of mothers helping mothers.

Moving Forward

As awareness of informal, safe milk sharing grows, platforms like Share the Drop will continue to be an essential resource for families in need. Whether you are a survivor seeking milk or a donor willing to share your extra supply, participating in this network is a way to give and receive an invaluable gift.

Breast cancer survivors have already faced so much in their journeys. With Share the Drop, they don’t have to face the challenge of finding breast milk alone.

More info:

Instagram: @sharethedrop

Facebook: @sharethedrop

Kelly Cox, Linked In