Virginia Mom Pays it Forward as She Becomes Formula Matchmaker During Nationwide Shortage

specialized formula Baby Formula Shortage Alexa Beichler classic phenylketonuria PKU

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Jul 04, 07:46 pm

Photo: (Photo : Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

When Virginia mom Alexa Beichler decided to share the heartbreaking story of her sons with the world through People magazine, she did not foresee getting so much support from people. Indeed, that is the case now, with Beichler having the ability to change lives as a result.

Beichler's two sons Taylor, 21 months, and Jax, seven months, were both born with classic phenylketonuria (PKU), a metabolic condition that requires her two boys to be on medical-grade formula for life.

Beichler, also a mom to 4-year-old son Carson, shared her heartbreaking story in an interview last month, saying that her two sons could face irreversible brain damage if they did not receive their specialized formula amid the nationwide shortage.

The family received a shipment of specialized formula on June 16

The mom of three said that she could not believe all the love they got from everyone trying to help since opening up about her sons' diagnosis and the urgent need for their formula. Beichler said that as of Tuesday, her family received a full shipment of the specialized formula on June 16 which is what her two sons are currently relying on. The last complete shipment she received before the recent delivery was on April 5, according to Fox News.

She said that the most important part of this is what has happened from the story, revealing that so many different people reached out to them because of it. Beichler added that 11 minutes after the first article went live, people from as far as Belgium and other countries reached out to them.

Beichler added that she has a small at-home business, and people started ordering from her to help them make ends meet if they had to hop on a plane and fly somewhere for the formula they needed. She said that without their story being shared, she would have never been able to get in contact with some of the people she had never heard from before.

Beichler becomes formula matchmaker after story goes viral

The Virginia native said she was also able to speak to people at formula manufacturers like Abbott and Nutricia and assist other families in need, in addition to the support her own family received.

Beichler said she had become the formula matchmaker for multiple families as she was able to put them in contact with people who needed this stuff. According to the inspirational mom, she matched over 20 people in need with a supply, and it was a God send.

She recalled helping out one adult in dire need of his formula, describing him as someone already at death's door. Beichler said they were able to find him what he needed for his feeding tube, and they literally changed his life. She added that they not only spread PKU awareness but also shed light on other people and other disabilities that need specialized formulas.