We've Got The County Covered
Havre, Montana – Northern Montana Hospital's Labor & Delivery Unit received a CuddleCot™ system donation from Ashlie's Embrace, an Ohio-based not-for-profit corporation, on Tuesday, July 12. The donation was presented to Northern Montana Hospital (NMH) during a dedication ceremony. The CuddleCot was donated in memory of Miller Michael Tidwell, whose parents made the trip from their home in Ohio to be present at the ceremony.
The CuddleCot™ system is an internationally recognized product which allows parents more time in the bereavement process after suffering the loss of their baby. The system uses a cooling pad that is placed in a Moses basket, crib, pram or bed and is connected to an insulated hose which quietly cools the unit to avoid deterioration. This allows the family to stay with the baby as long as needed at the hospital and eases the trauma of being separated from the baby so quickly after death.
"Being able to offer this service to our families will make a world of difference in how these unfortunate situations are handled," said Kristin Donoven, RN, Director of Labor & Delivery at NMH. "It's important that families can take the time they need to process their grief. The CuddleCot will allow us to assist them through this in a respectful way."
"Losing a baby is likely one of the most difficult things a family will ever experience," said Erin Maroon, co-founder of Ashlie's Embrace. "Every hospital should have a CuddleCot as an option for parents to capture some of the only memories they'll ever have with that baby. We are honored to have partnered with the Tidwell family to make this special donation. Their sweet Miller is making a difference around the country."
Ashlie's Embrace, a registered 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 2016 by Erin and Anthony Maroon after the loss of their full-term daughter, Ashlie. Ashlie's Embrace provides cooling units to medical facilities across the United States to help support families experiencing stillbirth or infant loss. To date, the organization has a presence in all 50 states and has donated nearly 200 CuddleCots.