Miami Valley Hospital South to Receive “Caring Cradle” Donation for Grieving Parents

DAYTON, Ohio (March 26, 2018) - On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, the Maternity Center at Miami Valley Hospital South will receive a “Caring Cradle,” donated in memory of Hadley Janae Felker-Sanders, a beloved baby girl who was stillborn on July 27, 2016.  A Caring Cradle gives a family the gift of time after the loss of a baby, allowing a family, days with their baby rather than mere hours—uninterrupted time to care for the baby, dress him or her, take photos, and make memories, which is crucial to the grieving process for mothers, fathers, and their families. 

With the help of the Indiana Cuddle Cot Campaign, mother, Taylor Felker, of Centerville, Indiana decided to start a conversation surrounding stillbirth—while supporting mothers like herself—with the donation of this medical equipment.  “I wanted to donate a Caring Cradle to honor my daughter and to give the gift of time to any family who loses a baby,” said Felker.  “I was so blessed to have access to a Cuddle Cot (very similar to the Caring Cradle) with Hadley and I will forever cherish the time I had to say goodbye. Donating this is a way to make a positive impact from the devastating loss of my daughter.”

Kami Jackson, Nurse Manager of Miami Valley South’s Maternity Center states “Caring Cradles are cooling devices that lower the temperature of stillborn babies, extending the amount of precious time a grieving family can spend with their baby, making everlasting memories.”

“I am so grateful that I get to share Hadley’s story and give the gift of the Caring Cradle,” says Felker, who will be moving to Centerville, Ohio next year. “My hope is to start an Ohio Cuddle Cot Campaign after I move, to ensure more people have access to this equipment.”

In the United States, approximately 24,000 babies are stillborn each year.  

Taylor Felker will donate the Caring Cradle to MVHS during a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in the hospital Chapel.  Miami Valley Hospital South is located at 2400 Miami Valley Drive in Centerville.

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