Being diagnosed with breast cancer when you are 20 weeks pregnant is possibly one of the worst things that can happen to an expectant mother.
But Sarah Whitney, who was 31 when she received the diagnosis, handled it with grace and strength.
She had her first round of chemotherapy after her mastectomy — all this while she was still pregnant.
Since then it has been a bittersweet journey.
Bringing her third child, Kal El, into the world at 36 weeks, she could not breastfeed her son for more than two weeks because she had to prepare for her second round of chemo.
In the powerful photo, Kal El is seen latching on to Sarah’s remaining breast.
The photo was taken by Sarah’s friend, photographer Katie Murray just after the birth.
Millions of people from all over the world, inspired by Sarah’s resilience, quickly shared the photo after it was uploaded on Facebook.
Sarah and her husband Mike, despite the trials, share the joy of now having three healthy kids including Corah, 7 and Phoenix, 6.
Though the photo captured the first and last time Sarah will ever breastfeed her son, she continues to care for him with the help of milk donations from other mothers.
If you would like to help mothers like Sarah Whitney who are unable to breastfeed due to illness, there are places which allow you to do so.
These are the major milk banks in the Philippines:
1. The Philippines Children’s Medical Center
Quezon Avenue, Agham Road, Quezon City
(02) 588-99-00
2. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital
Lope de Vega St, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila
(02) 733-8537
3. Quezon City Human Milk Bank
2nd road, Quezon City Hall
(02) 444-7272
4. Makati Human Milk Bank
1217 Bangkal Health Center E.Rodriguez St.
Barangay Bangkal, Makati, 1233 Metro Manila
(02) 843-8576
Read: Buying breast milk: Is it safe to buy milk from another mother?
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