The Vera Rose Memorial Fundraiser

Tragically, our first born daughter Vera Rose was born at 23w2d gestation February 04, 2024 and did not survive. We received a horrible diagnosis and prognosis just two weeks earlier. I (Sam) am navigating this stage of life by trying to find meaning in loss, and doing something in Vera’s memory, while supporting the local baby loss community and specifically the lives of people who find themselves in similar situations of sudden pregnancy/baby loss.

We received a beautiful memory box while on the birthing unit at LHSC Victoria Hospital (London, ON), which consisted of clothing items for our daughter, photos, prints, and moulds. These items are deeply cherished. I’ve since come to realize, there’s more that could be offered focusing specifically on the family as they navigate this horrendous chapter of their lives. Inspired by the thoughtfulness and generosity of friends, whom provided me with care packages of postpartum essentials and gifted us care items for our grief journey, including books, I aspired to provide that compassion to others. Gratefully, LHSC Victoria Hospital has agreed to accept the below donated items in memory of our daughter.

A Perinatal Loss Library

Free books for families to choose from, and take home, to help with processing their loss as well as explain their baby to their living children, when applicable. Books will be inclusive of birthing parents, non-pregnant parents (often forgotten), Indigenous individuals, and women of colour.

Care Packages with Essential Items for Bereaved Mothers After Birth

A premature birth resulting in baby death is a highly traumatic experience, whether it be termination for medical reasons, stillbirth, or other causes. The mother is likely to be focused on the monumental loss of her baby/ies with less consideration of her own needs. In some instances, these mothers are not yet prepared with the items they may need following birth, as they expected to have more time in their pregnancies and had not yet gotten to preparing and purchasing essential items for their own recovery. As such, care packages tailored to postpartum physical needs would provide these mothers with items for the immediate days following delivery of their babies, until they are able to get the items they find they would benefit from. It seems physical healing can take precedent before emotional healing is the full focus. Some examples of items are: instant ice maxi pads, disposable underwear, vaginal cooling wipes, sanitary wipes, heating pads for low back, reusable cooling breast pads, and more.

Remembrance Kits for Early Miscarriage/Ectopic Pregnancy

These kits recognize mothers who experience early miscarriage/ectopic pregnancies and provide items to support them with commemorating their pregnancy, their baby’s memory, and their motherhood. Folks in this category of loss tend to experience invisible motherhood the most and can be forgotten even more than people who experience baby loss further in gestation. Some examples of items are: a guided miscarriage loss journal, postpartum affirmation cards, a memorial candle, a packet of forget me not seeds, and more. 

In addition to multiple donations to LHSC, Sam has been providing support to bereaved parents in London, Sarnia, and beyond through smaller gift packs with resources and postpartum loss affirmation cards (for purchase, with proceeds going into the fundraiser). There are also early plans underway for a community event to be offered to mothers who have experienced the early end to their pregnancies and tragic loss of their babies.

We are deeply grateful for your generous support of our fundraising in memory of Vera. Your contribution helps provide comfort and resources to bereaved families, making a significant difference in their healing journeys.

With heartfelt thanks,

Vera Rose's parents Sam and Adam