Canadian Cooling Cot Campaign
The death of a child is a devastating tragedy that more than 2,800 families in Canada experience every year. The goals of this campaign are to:
Please note: the campaign organizers do not claim credit for any individual fundraisers. The fundraising work is organized by individuals, families or support organizations who deserve acknowledgement for their work.
- Create awareness about the availability and benefits of cooling cots.
- Help individuals and families in Canada organize fundraisers for their local hospitals to purchase such cots.
- Provide communication and outreach support for anyone organizing fundraisers for this purpose.
There was so little time to create memories with our child after he had died as a newborn baby. Every minute counted to soak in his looks, explore his tiny hands and feet, feel his skin, cuddle, be together, take pictures and create memories. We had to squeeze a lifetime of experience into a few hours. If a cooling cot can help a family spend more time together, we have made a difference.
What are Cooling Cots?
A Cooling Cot, such as the CuddleCot™, Mira Cradle, or the CaringCradle, cools the baby in situ allowing the baby to remain with the family in the hospital room thereby providing the family time they want. The cooling pad is placed in any moses basket, crib, pram or bed; it is connected by a specially insulated hose and is quietly cooled using the cooling unit.
Why are the cots needed?
With the cot a baby can stay with the parents in the hospital room for the entire time and it slows down the baby’s body from changing too quickly. Baby won't have to go to the morgue initially and no cooling with ice bags (alternative way) is required. Parents will gain important time with their baby without having to juggle ice bags or deal with dampness.
How will we succeed?
Many bereaved families are looking for ways to give back to a hospital, help other families and do something positive in the memory of their child. We believe that we will be able to work with families who have experienced the death of a child to make this campaign successful.
Fundraisers
Help us give the gift of time by either supporting the campaign (donations will be allocated to greatest need) or by picking a specific active fundraiser.
Active Fundraisers
British Columbia
Organizer: Dave & Shea – in honor of Aubrey
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance - Chatham, ON
Organizer: Jennifer Foster – in honor of Claire
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Lakeridge Health - Oshawa, ON
Organizer: Maureen – in honor of Milo
Please donate via the Hospital Foundation page.
Please donate via the Hospital Foundation page.
Ottawa Hospital - Ottawa, ON
Organizer: Bonnie Blimkie Wetmore – in honor of Skye
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Please donate via the Go Fund Me page.
Completed Fundraisers
Victoria General Hospital - Victoria, BC
Organized by: Charlene Chambers, in memory of Faith Tien, Empty Arms, Healing Hearts
Canuck Place Children's Hospice - Vancouver, BC
Organized by: Karen Gilkyson, in memory of Stella
St. Paul's Hospital - Vancouver, BC
Organized by: Jens & Kerstin Locher – in memory of Marlon and Tobias
Abbotsford Regional Hospital - Abbotsford, BC
Organized by: Annet Janssen, in memory of Reyanna Francina
Royal Columbian Hospital - New Westminster, BC
Organized by: Annet Janssen, in memory of Reyanna Francina
Mills Memorial Hospital - Terrace, BC
Organized by: Cherie Mercer
BC Women's Hospital - Vancouver, BC
Organized by: Nicole Hing – in memory of Sunshine Smyth
Langley Memorial Hospital - Langley, BC
Organized by: Annet Janssen, in memory of Reyanna Francina
Chiliwack General Hospital - Chiliwack, BC
Organized by: Annet Janssen, in memory of Reyanna Francina
Surrey Memorial Hospital - Surrey, BC
Organized by: Annet Janssen, in memory of Reyanna Francina
Kelowna General Hospital - Kelowna, BC
Organized by: Kristin Esmail – in memory of Richard James
Royal Inland Hospital - Kamloops, BC
Organized by: Kristin Esmail – in memory of Richard James
Vernon Jubilee Hospital - Vernon, BC
Organized by: Kristin Esmail – in memory of Richard James
Penticton Regional Hospital - Penticton, BC
Organized by: Kristin Esmail – in memory of Richard James
Dawson Creek Hospital - Dawson Creek, BC
Organized by: Celina & Kaley – in memory of Callie, Liam and Brody
Prince George, BC
Organized by: Erin Bohn – in memory of Ryann
Peace Arch Hospital - White Rock, BC
Organized by: Alison Murray – in memory of Stella
Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Grande Prairie, AB
Organized by: Tiny Hands of Hope Society
Fort McMurray Hospital - Fort McMurray, AB
Organized by: Sheri Raike
Peace River Community Health Centre - Peace River, AB
Organized by: Tiny Hands of Hope Society
Peter Lougheed Hospital - Calgary, AB
Organized by: Calgary Walk to Remember
Rockyview Hospital - Calgary, AB
Organized by: Calgary Walk to Remember
Stollery Network - Edmonton, AB
Organized by: Stephen & Jenelle Kiers, in memory of Lera Grace
Lloydminster Hospital - AB/SK
Organized by: Calee Adams, Melissa
Belleville General Hospital - Belleville, ON
Organized by: Direct Sales Ladies of Quinte
Cambridge Memorial Hospital - Cambridge, ON
Organized by: Christine Keachie – in honor of Evelyn
Cornwall Community Hospital - Cornwall, ON
Organized by: Penny Brown, Remington Pecore and Shannon Dugas
Northumberland Hills Hospital - Cobourg, ON
Organized by: Melissa Chapman – in memory of Avery
Southlake Hospital - Newmarket, ON
Organized by: The Khouri Family in honour of Baby Anna
Sault Area Hospital - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Organized by: Angela Caputo, in memory of Ryan
Pembroke Regional Hospital - Petawawa, ON
Organized by: Susie Edwards – in memory of Caden
Sunnybrook Hospital - Toronto, ON
Organized by: The Khouri Family in honour of Baby Anna
Royal Victoria Hospital - Montreal, QC
Organized by: Annick Robinson, Rosa Caporicci, Stéfany Corey, Désirée McGraw – in honor of Jacob, Luke, Zoë, Catherine
Carbonear Hospital - Carbonear, NL
Central Regional Hospital - Grand Falls, NL
Organized by: Kelsey Vincent
Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Charlottetown, PE
Organized by: Tammy MacDonald – in memory of Marcel
Victoria Hospital - Prince Albert, SK
Organized by:
Brittany Nicolas
Stacey Franc
Darlene Slater
Kristina Slater
Nicole Nutter
Taryn Pilon – in memory of Adrianne Amber Pilon
Brittany Nicolas
Stacey Franc
Darlene Slater
Kristina Slater
Nicole Nutter
Taryn Pilon – in memory of Adrianne Amber Pilon
Cypress Regional Hospital - Swift Current, SK
Organized by: Cora and Connie Farrow, in memory of Cora’s twin boys
Royal University Hospital - Saskatoon, SK
Organized by: Kristin Esmail, in memory of Noah
Regina General Hospital - Regina, SK
Organized by: Silent Hearts Awareness Walk
Battlefords Union Hospital - North Battleford, SK
Organized by: Ashley & Duncan Martin, in memory of Emmett
St. Joseph's Hospital - Estevan, SK
Organized by: Rikki Duncombe & Ethan Hayward – in memory of Easton Charles Hayward
Other hospitals that use cooling cots
- Royal Alexandra Hospital - Edmonton, AB (3 cots)
- Lois Hole Hospital for Women - Edmonton, AB
- Grey Nuns Community Hospital - Edmonton, AB
- Misericordia Community Hospital - Edmonton, AB
- Sturgeon Community Hospital - St. Albert, AB
- Foothills Medical Centre - Calgary, AB
- South Health Campus - Calgary, AB
- High River General Hospital - High River, AB
- Canmore General Hospital - Canmore, AB
- Didsbury District Health Services - Didsbury, AB
- Red Deer Regional Hospital - Red Deer, AB
- Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre - St. John's, NL (2 cots)
Mission
Every hospital with maternity ward in Canada will be provided with a cooling cot - a crucial piece of equipment used to support parents who experience the loss of their baby. The cooling cot can help them spend precious time with their child.
News Coverage
Information for Hospitals
Here we provide answers to frequently asked questions by hospitals with regard to the equipment. Currently, the only known equipment to us is the Cuddle Cot from Flexmort - a manufacturer from the UK.
What is the Health Canada Medical License number?
Flexmort answer: “The CuddleCot is not a medical device and is only to be used on the deceased.”
Can we please have a copy of the Operator and Service manual and parts list?
Flexmort answer: “User Guide, there is no service manual as a part from a little checking from the user the CuddleCot does not require any. The parts list is a s follows: cool pads £95 each, hose £50 and Biocide £25″.
Do you have a Canadian vendor?
Flexmort answer: “No, but you can deal direct with us here in the UK”
If the unit fails during the warranty period, where do we send for repair?
Flexmort answer: “In the unlikely event of the CuddleCot failing simply inform us and we will advise you to send the unit to one of our repair bases in the UK or the one in the States.”
Does it have a Canadian Standard approval?
Flexmort answer: “Yes”
The device comes with 2 reusable cooling pads. How often to the cooling pads need to be replaced (i.e. approximate recommended usage numbers or expiry of the product)?
Flexmort answer: “We have to put a recommended replacement time on the manual which is 12 months. But of course some are used more than others, I can tell you that we have only ever sold 2 or 3 as replacements as they are very robust. So the answer to your question is not very often at all.”
How often does the hose need to be replaced?
Flexmort answer: “Again this is also very robust, and I am sure we have never had to supply a replacement hose.”
Are other cleaning agents safe for use?
Flexmort answer: “I am unsure what cleaning products you will be using, but any standard plastic friendly sanitiser will be fine.”
Information for Bereaved Parents: Organize a Fundraiser
It is normally not possible to purchase and donate the equipment directly. In most cases, the hospital will have to purchase the unit. Hence, donors can provide the funds to the hospital that will have to go through a number of steps to be able to purchase such a unit. However, because the cot is not considered a medical device the process is not too complicated. The following departments might get consulted:
- Pathology department: to ensure pathology testing is not compromised by the unit.
- Biomedical department: to ensure support for the device and that it meets Canadian electrical standards.
- Facilities Maintenance & Operations
- Unit operations leader (e.g. maternity or NICU): to approve new equipment.
- Hospital foundation: if fundraising is planned through the hospital foundation, they need to be brought on board early on.