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Pembroke Regional Hospital
Foundation Launches Healing Wishes Program
PROGRAM COMFORTS FAMILIES SUFFERING LOSS OF INFANT
 Launched
from heartbreak, the Healing Wishes program at the
Pembroke Regional Hospital helps to provide comfort to
families suffering the loss of a child from conception to
early infancy, aiming to help find a path forward to healing
and hope.
The
Ferguson family lost a baby in the second trimester and in
grieving, wished they had something more to hold onto.
It was through this heartbreak that the first memory boxes
were created.
When the
Popke family lost a baby at 37 weeks in 2011, they were
given a memory box made by the Ferguson’s.
“This
little box provided some comfort when we desperately needed
it. Instead of a new baby in my arms I held this box
but it was something to hold onto,” remembers Alison
MacDougal-Popke.
Each box costs approximately $40.00 to prepare and contains
literature, a blanket, mementoes, and a pendant for the
mother to wear. It can also store photos, cards or other
special items that were meant for the newborn.
“It seems unthinkable that so many families have to
experience the tragedy of losing a child, but it does
happen. We wanted to develop a sustainable program at the
Pembroke Regional Hospital to provide support for any family
that experiences this unbearable loss,” explained Amanda
Ferguson.
The two families collaborated with Karen Schreader, Manager
of Maternal Child Care, Janet Kraemer, Director of the
Maternal Child Surgical Program, and Nancy Warren from the
Foundation office to develop the Healing Wishes
Program.
“We are united in our desire to ensure that families
suffering the loss of a child are able to begin their
journey of grieving with the ongoing support of hospital
staff and the knowledge that their grief is recognized and
felt by others” said Karen Schreader.
“Donations made to the Healing Wishes program at the
Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation allow us to prepare
more boxes for families in need” said Amanda Ferguson.
For more information or to make a donation to the Healing
Wishes Program, please contact the foundation office at
613-732-2811 ext. 7408 or email
foundation@pemreghos.org |
