AKRON, Ohio — While there are many reasons babies could be formula-fed over breastfed, one is because of cancer. Breast cancer survivors typically cannot breastfeed and share it’s an added stress during this formula shortage.

Sarah Bokovitz enjoys all the newborn moments with her three-month-old son, Benjamin, because she considers the little guy a miracle baby.

“He’s an absolute true miracle,” Bokovitz said. “I think miracles exist and I think he is an example of one. The fact that he was born one day before my two-year cancer-free remission date kind of just speaks for itself in my eyes.”

Bokovitz was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in Sept. 2019 when her oldest, Clare, was five months old. 

“I went through chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, clinical trials, kind of the whole gamut of treatments,” Bokovitz said.

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Bokovitz)

While she went into remission in Feb. 2020 after all of those months of treatments, she was told it was unlikely she could get pregnant again. So when she did, she knew it was meant to be. But little did she know a formula shortage would hit just when he was born.

“I’m trying to soak up every minute with him and just be present, but I found myself Googling, looking at websites, trying to see where I can get this specific formula,” she said. “It was incredibly stressful.”

Bokovitz cannot breastfeed because of her double mastectomy. So formula is the only option for Ben. 

However, Bokovitz was nominated for a free year of Bobbie formula, a female-owned European formula company, along with other cancer survivors. But Ben, the first few months, he wouldn’t adjust.

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Bokovitz)

“Originally, Ben did not take to the formula, so we had to be on a specific non-milk-based formula first,” she said. “It was so stressful to try to find the formula. Going to six, seven, eight different stores. Amazon is out of stock. Calling the doctor’s office, they can only give a limited supply because they’re in the same boat as well with the moms.”

While the Ben is able to feed off the formula now, Bokovitz acknowledged the hardships all parents of infants are facing.

“I am so grateful for that at this time,” she said. “Like I said, my heart goes out to the moms who are in the trenches right now. I feel so fortunate for our situation that at least that piece, for now, is something I can rely on and I can feed my child.”

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Bokovitz)

While she’s been through a lot to get to where she is, she’s grateful for all the hardships that have taught her to enjoy the little moments.

“It has almost given me a new zest for life moving forward," she said. "And the appreciation of the little things.”