West Kelowna mom raises funds to give more parents of stillborn babies a few extra days together

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A West Kelowna woman who lost her baby shortly before giving birth to him has successfully raised enough money to bring a device to Kelowna General Hospital that will give other parents going through the same thing a little bit of comfort.

Now she’s planning to do the same for Vernon, Penticton and Kamloops as well.

Kristin Esmail has raised more than $7,300 for a specialized bassinette called a Cuddle Cot that keeps the body cool, allowing parents and other family a few extra days to grieve.

Each Cuddle Cot costs roughly $3,500 for the unit and the bassinette, making her initial goal of one cot for Kelowna General Hospital a reality. On Friday morning, July 10, she dropped off a cheque at the hospital for $3,563.

“I was shaking and excited and when I left I started to cry,” she says. “It was emotional but a very great morning. I didn’t expect the feelings that would come along with it or how emotional I would feel. It’s been a really great journey and it’s not over yet.”

Esmail says thanks to a donation of $3,500 from Kelowna resident Brittaney Yeast of Glitz n' Glam Party Supply the rest of the money she has already raised will go towards a similar cot in Vernon. She intends to do the same for Penticton and Kamloops in the near future.

“I’m amazed by the community and how generous they have been,” she says. “Many people have been touched by stillbirth and infant loss. They are moms and dads and they know how it would feel. People don’t care if it’s going to Kelowna or Vernon or Kamloops they’re just happy to give and know that it’s going to bring some comfort.”

Chandelle Christie of the KGH Foundation could not be reached for confirmation of when the Cuddle Cot would be purchased and delivered.

To help Kristen Esmail bring Cuddle Cots to Penticton and Kamloops, visit her GoFundMe page.

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To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.