Nurses at Sudbury birthing centre run to raise money for comfort kits
Bridget’s Bunnies is a Barrie-based charity that provides comfort kits to families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.
One of the official providers is the birthing centre at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. Several staff members have signed up to participate in the 7th annual Bridget’s Run on Sunday.
"It's so important to us because these are given to us free of charge," said Christine Mills, HSN labour and delivery nurse.
"If we have any of these losses -- whether it be second-trimester loss or a full-term pregnancy loss or an infant loss while at the hospital -- we are able to provide them with a little something. The books and the resources to even go on the website itself to get in contact with other grieving families."
Kayla Manninen lost her son, Asthon, on Feb. 22. She went in for a routine midwife visit when they discovered the baby had no heartbeat.
"Obviously delivering a baby that, you know, is not, going to be here to stay is hard enough in itself," Manninen said.
"Having the hospital be so supportive and so quick and on everything was definitely really helpful."
Last year's event raised more than $71,000, allowing the charity to provide almost 700 kits in 2024 alone. (Photo from video)
She received a comfort kit from HSN and since she was in her second trimester, there was no death certificate or funeral.
She said the kit gave her a way of processing what happened.
"I think that for me, I'm lucky to have a lot of support, but there's a lot of people who don't have that," Manninen said.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"The littlest things make such a big difference … That somebody who's been through this -- and I mean, someone who's been through, in my opinion, a much like more difficult situation than I was -- to be able to like, find it and then to give that to other people, like no matter what stage of pregnancy they're in, I think is a huge deal."
Last year's event raised more than $71,000, allowing the charity to provide almost 700 kits in 2024 alone.
Participants can participate in the event in person in Barrie or virtually from anywhere. Click here to register or to donate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever.
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office.
UN investigative team says Syria's new authorities 'very receptive' to probe of Assad war crimes
The U.N. organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in Syria said Monday the country’s new authorities were “very receptive” to its request for cooperation during a just-concluded visit to Damascus, and it is preparing to deploy.
Pioneering Métis human rights advocate Muriel Stanley Venne dies at 87
Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway
A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.
Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering
Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans.