MIL OSI – Source: Waikato District Health Board – Press Release/Statement
Headline: A moment longer to make a lifetime of memories
Susan Coram-Stanley with son Devan and the cuddle cot and Moses basket they donated
When a baby dies, time stands still for those parents. Their grief is immense. They need time to capture precious moments but until recently their time had been limited. Now thanks to the vision of one family and the generosity of hundreds, bereaved parents will get that time.
Last week Susan Coram-Stanley, her husband and family kindly donated a Cuddle Cot and Moses basket to the Waikato Hospital Women’s Health Assessment unit. For the Stanley family losing their own child meant they understand how important a few extra hours with their baby can be. As part of their own healing, they have dedicated the cuddle cot in memory of their son Koby James.
A cuddle cot is a cooling system that fits inside a bassinet or cot to preserve stillborn babies and infants that have died shortly after birth so they can be with their family for that little bit longer.
“Susan’s generous gift will have such a positive impact on the care that we provide for bereaved families,” said the unit’s charge nurse manager Rachel Kingsbury.
Rachel also acknowledged the other things that Susan does for bereaved families by donating pendants and teddies that give parents something real and tangible to hold during this sad time.
Pastor Sonny Poutapu from the hospital blessed the cuddle cot, and thanked the family for donating this “treasure”.
Susan raised the funds for the cot along with her friend Ashley from Rotorua through crowd-sourcing site Givealittle and community Facebook page One More Cuddle.
The two women raised $7000 to purchase two cuddle cots from the UK which they then donated to Waikato DHB and to Lakes DHB. Until last week, there were only two cuddle cots in all of New Zealand.
“This cuddle cot will allow families to have more time with their baby to get around what has happened and do everything they can to create memories,” said Susan who wished they had something like this when they lost Koby.
“I know that it will be well used, sadly, but the difference it will make will be immense.”
Susan has a business making hand stamped and personalised jewelry, which she set up after they lost Koby. http://www.kjdesigns.net.nz
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