Annabella's Angels donates CuddleCot to Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

Jessica and Matthew Ocasio of Annabella’s Angels present a donation of a CuddleCot at the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital. Pictured from left are Griffin Spiritual Care Chaplin Eric Gramse, Melanie O’Leary, Griffin Development Fund Systems Coordinator, Naomi Gurdak, OB tech, Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, Childbirth Center Clinical Director, Jessica and Matthew Ocasio, Kristen Richards, RN, and Gen Mayhew, RN.

DERBY - The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital will be able to give parents who have a stillbirth or later term miscarriage extra time with their child thanks to a CuddleCot donation.

Annabella's Angels, a nonprofit that raises funds to donate CuddleCots throughout the state, presented the Childbirth Center staff with the $3,000 device and a specially-designed bassinette April 24.

The CuddleCot keeps the body of the departed child cool so parents can have time to be with their child, have family visit, take pictures, take hand molds and receive religious blessings.

“Infant death is a harsh reality we cannot prevent and we cannot always foresee,” said Annabella’s Angels President and Founder Jessica Ocasio. “When parents are forced to say goodbye so shortly after hello, every minute matters.”

Jessica Ocasio and her husband Matthew formed the nonprofit in memory of their daughter, Annabella Grace, who was delivered stillborn at 18 weeks. 

Annabella's Angels has placed CuddleCots in St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and Bridgeport Hospital.

“We are very thankful to Jessica, Matthew, and everyone at Annabella’s Angels for this donation,” said Childbirth Center Clinical Director Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, NEA-BC, C-EFM.
“The CuddleCot gives parents the precious gift of time with their child and can be a wonderful help in healing spiritually.”

For more information, visit annabellasangels.com.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.