CuddleCot Online Pregnancy & Infant Loss Conference
Bringing together those focused on creating and maintaining a higher level of standardized bereavement care in the US
Led by CuddleCot, this virtual conference unites professionals committed to setting and upholding care standards for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss in the USA. Hear from our panel of advocates driving change at facility, health system, state, and federal levels, and make a meaningful difference for those in your care.
Watch the CuddleCot Conference On-Demand
Conference Resources
Conference Attendance Resources
Connect with Our Guest Speakers
Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH
Hannah Fox
Amanda Duffy
Dr. Michael Bullock
Heather Rodriguez, RNC
Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya
Stillbirth advocacy was not part of Debbie’s master plan, but on July 8, 2011, her life irrevocably changed the moment her daughter Autumn was born still—and her life has never been the same since. Unfortunately, Debbie is no stranger to loss. Prior to Autumn’s death, Debbie had suffered through several maternal health complications and two previous miscarriages. But once she lost Autumn, enough was enough. She needed to find a way to give her family’s heartbreaking tragedy a purpose, not only for herself but for Autumn and all the babies that are lost too soon.
Agenda
Host: Danielle Franck, CuddleCot
Danielle has experience working in the healthcare field as a medical assistant and chaplain. She received her Bachelor's degree from Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has completed additional training on bereavement and grief.
Her role as co-founder of the nonprofit Loving Tanner which supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss has given her experience supporting bereaved parents as well as a passion for educating healthcare professionals on the CuddleCot and Cuddle Blanket which allow families more time to spend with their baby and other loved ones after they pass.
Online Conference Agenda
Opening Remarks:
- Jonathan Cottor
Topic: Being a Change-Maker
Jonathan will kick off our conference with an inspiring talk on driving change and making a difference in various fields.
State-Level Advocacy:
- Michael Bullock
Topic: Advocating for Standardized Care at the State Level
Michael will share his work with state senators and his involvement in a task force aimed at encouraging hospitals to adopt a standardized approach to care for families experiencing loss.
Systemic Leadership in Bereavement Care:
- Hannah Fox
Topic: Leading and Advocating for Standardized Care Across Health Systems
Hannah will discuss her role as a leader in her health system and her efforts with the bereavement committee to promote a consistent standard of care across the system.
Transforming Bereavement Programs:
- Heather Rodriguez
Topic: Enhancing Bereavement Care in Texas Hospitals
Heather will explain how she has revolutionized her hospital's bereavement program with detailed protocols and comprehensive care for families, ensuring a consistent approach among all staff members.
Advocacy for Stillbirth Prevention:
- Amanda Duffy
Topic: The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act
Amanda will discuss her advocacy for this significant legislation, which secures federal funding to prevent stillbirths and supports organizations in utilizing these funds effectively.
Improving Data Collection on Stillbirths:
- Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, stillbirth parent advocate and mother of Autumn, will share her 13+ year advocacy journey to make stillbirth a national priority. (SHINE for Autumn Act H.R. 5012/S.2647)
Each speaker will present for approximately 15-20 minutes, followed by a brief Q&A session.
US Based Charities Working Towards Quality Bereavement Care For All
Miles' Mission (US)
Beyond personal experiences, we aim to advocate for better medical benefits, increased access to mental health support, and serve as a reminder to faith-based organizations of their profound role in bringing spiritual healing to all.
Butterfly Kisses Alliance
Butterfly Kisses Alliance is a charitable foundation that was founded in 2023 by a group of nurses that are passionate about perinatal bereavement. We are dedicated to providing support and resources to families and individuals who have been affected by the death of a baby, whether before, during or shortly after birth.
Mothers of Held Angels (US)
MOHA provides comfort boxes to grieving families in the hospital including “Day of Loss Resources” explaining what to expect in those initial days and ways to make memories with their babies.
It is their mission to provide a CuddleCot and CuddleBlanker to as many hospitals as possible
The Helen James Foundation (US)
Rain-Bowie Foundation (US, Louisiana)
Rain-Bowie's mission is to fundraise so they can "fill every hospital in Louisiana with an ample amount of CuddleCots and help beautiful families with fertility finances."
Chandler & Paisley Skies (US)
Shortly after Chandler and Paisely passed away, friends began to send Dusty and Michelle pictures of brilliant pink and blue skies. Soon, these skies became known as #chandlerandpaisleyskies
They are non-profit foundation established to place CuddleCots in US hospitals, to help bereaved parents have more time with babies.
Ashlies Embrace (US)
Erin and Anthony Maroon’s first child, Ashlie, was stillborn at full term in October 2015.
Ashlie’s Embrace provides CuddleCots to medical facilities across the United States to help support families experiencing stillbirth or infant loss.
Listen to founder Erin as she talks about the mission of Ashlie's embrace: Spotify / Apple podcasts
Canadian based charities
Maxwell George Fleming Foundation
"The Maxwell George Fleming Foundation’s mission is to provide hospitals in Canada with CuddleCot’s™, which allow bereaved families experiencing the loss of an infant the ability to spend more physical time with their child and to ensure all hospitals in Canada have access to a CuddleCot™"
Instagram: @mgffoundation
Facebook: MGF Foundation
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