Wednesday, Oct. 12, was a very meaningful day for Ada Herrera-Gong, her husband William, and their children Victoria and Lukas. On that date one year prior, Ada and William's baby Oliver was born still at Shore Medical Center at 35 weeks. Although it was an extremely difficult time, Ada was grateful for the support she and her family received from Shore, in particular from her nurse Natalie Betancourth and bereavement coordinator Lauren Matalucci. “They made the whole experience softer for me and my family,” Ada shared.
Through her grieving process, Ada connected with other moms who have experienced the loss of a baby, and she learned about the CuddleCot. A CuddleCot is a cooling bassinet that enables a family to keep the baby with them in a room temperature environment longer, allowing them time to make memories with their baby – such as holding the baby, changing their outfit and diaper, and taking pictures.
After learning how CuddleCots have helped other families in their grieving process, Ada decided she would gift a CuddleCot to Shore Medical Center as a way to leave a lasting legacy at Shore in Oliver’s name, one that would help other families who face such a tragic loss have more time with their baby.
“More time is what I wished I had with Oliver, and it is what I wish for other mothers with the gift of the CuddleCot – the gift of time, knowing this is the only time they would have with their baby,” Ada said.
To help raise the $3,600 needed to purchase a CuddleCot, Ada created a GoFundMe. When she was about halfway to her goal, Dara Sawyer, New Jersey Center Director for The TEARS Foundation, learned of Ada’s efforts and offered to provide the remainder of the funds needed for the CuddleCot. The TEARS Foundation provides financial and emotional support to families grieving the loss of a baby. Dara was touched by Ada’s efforts to turn her family’s tragedy into something that could help others.
Ada and her family along with Dara and Melissa Cain, NJ TEARS Foundation’s Co Chapter Leader, arranged to present the CuddleCot to Shore Medical Center on October 12, 2022. At the presentation, Ada brought a photo of Oliver and her from the day she delivered him, along with an enormous cake with the words “Happy 1st Birthday Oliver” and a photo of Oliver snuggled against his mother’s chest. They gave the cake to Shore’s maternity team to enjoy. Ada also provided the staff with “pay it forward” cards of support from her family that they can give to future families who use the CuddleCot. The cards include a special request to share an act of kindness in the future in Oliver’s name.
During the presentation, Ada placed a plaque on the CuddleCot dedicating it to Oliver. She explained, “I wanted a plaque that said ‘A gift from Oliver’ because that’s how I feel - I feel like it’s a gift from him. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have learned about the CuddleCot. Any act of kindness that I do now, it’s him doing it through me.”
In addition to this gift to Shore Medical Center, Ada created a project she calls “Oliver Lives On”. Through this project, Ada raises awareness about stillbirth and baby loss. Her blog, OliverLivesOn.com, is where she shares about her healing journey, her love story with Oliver, and other projects she has in the works in Oliver’s name.
“I hope that other moms find my story uplifting and hopeful. I have found that talking about Oliver to others has been extremely healing. I welcome other moms to share their experiences and talk about their baby in this safe space.”
If you, or someone you know, have experienced the loss of a child and are in need of financial or emotional support please reach out to the NJ Chapter of the TEARS Foundation on their website at https://thetearsfoundation.org/newjersey/ or via email at southjersey@thetearsfoundation.org.
