Cuddlecott for West Parry Sound Health Center

Hello, We the McKeIIar Firefighters Association would like to ask the community to help fund raise for a great cause! We have partnered up with Wendy Page to raise money for a cuddlecott to donate to the Parry Sound Health Center.

I will now introduce Wendy to let her tell her back story a cuddlecott.

Thank you!

Hello, my name is Wendy.

I am starting a gofund me with the help of The

Mckellar Firefighters Association and the West Parry Sound Health Center to purchase a cuddlecott for our local Labour and delivery ward.

I am a mother to 3 beautiful children, 2 have passed before birth in 2018 and 2019. I have been recently blessed with a baby girl in

February 2022. Unfortunately, my first 2 children were both stillborn at 36 weeks gestation.

In 201 8, I lost my daughter Emilia due to placenta insufficiency. She had stopped growing at 30 weeks gestation and passed at 36 weeks gestation.

In 201 9, I lost my son Leo. With extra care from specialists sadly, it wasn't enough to get him here on Earth's side. he past at 36 weeks of gestation also. There are unanswered questions as to exactly why this happened, as some things were sadly missed.

In 2018 and in 2019, I delivered both babies at Orillia soldiers' memorial hospital. With my daughter, there was no cuddlecott and had minimal time in the hospital. Labour, delivered, and home within 24 hours. But, with my son in 201 9, a family had donated a cuddlecott to the hospital in memory of their child, who was also stillborn.

Because of this generous donation, I was able to spend more than a few hours with him. I was able to hold him longer and take the time to remember the details of his face and pictures to keep for the rest of my life.

It is such a hard thing to write or to deal with. It might sound weird to many to want to spend time or take pictures with your child who had died.

From a parents' perspective, this was my baby, my child. Hopes and dreams of the future. First words, walking, school plays, first kiss, and our future together. All taken away at that moment when they couldn't find the heartbeat.

Because of this family who donated the cuddlecott, I could hold my son a little longer. Remember every detail of his appearance and the love I hold for him. My family was able to meet him and say there goodbyes with me as we all mourned the loss.

This brings me to today. As much as people don't want to talk about it. The reality is that this happens even when we don't want it to. It was a taboo thing to talk about when a child dies. It doesn't need to be. Every parent who is going through this needs the support more than ever.

To talk about their loved one. To remember them in every way possible. Even when they were only here for a moments time.

The Cuddlecott helped preserve his body a little longer by keeping him cool by circulation of cold air and cooling pad in a bassinet type of bed. It had a machine with hoses that circulated just like an ac cooling system. That ran the whole time. It kept him at a temperature that he was cool to the touch in a well preserved way.

Hospitals without the cuddlecott either can not preserve the body and have minimal time with their baby. or tries to preserve the child with ice bags to keep the body cold. Knowing these ways, I truly believe the cuddlecott is the best way to help in these situations.

Being on both sides of it all, knowing what it's like to not have the extra time and knowing what it's like to have the little more time.

I would like to give that opportunity to the next

family who may be going through this tough time. To have this option of time.

To hold their child longer for the first and last time. In the harsh reality. I want to make the little difference for the grieving mother, father, sister, brother, or grandparent.

Today, I am here to raise awareness as well as money to help buy a cuddlecott for our local West Parry Sound Health Center, labour, and delivery ward.

It is $5500 USD to be bought with shipping and handling.

The money raised will be donated to the West Parry Sound Health Center to buy the cuddlecott through them for warranty reasons for future maintenance of the machine.

With help from the community, The Mckellar Firefighters Association has offered to help fundraise for this cause.

Now, I am asking my family, friends, and community to help us to give back to the families that will need it the most in time of grief.

We would like to donate this cuddlecott in memory of Emilia and Leo. Please help make the difference. Thank you for all the love and support

Sincerely

Wendy