Giving the Gift of Precious Time

- July 18, 2019

To help give grieving families the gift of time after their loss, Ashlie’s Embrace and the Burman family of Minerva, Ohio, visited Angela Hospice on July 12 to donate a CuddleCot™.

Erin Maroon of Ashlie's Embrace

In a moving presentation, Ashlie’s Embrace co-founder Erin Maroon shared the story of how she was determined to help other families after experiencing the loss of her full-term daughter, Ashlie. Maroon had not heard of CuddleCots, but once she learned about the device, it became her mission to bring them to medical centers throughout the United States.

CuddleCots™ consist of a cooling unit and pad that lay in a bassinet or Moses basket and keep a baby cool after stillbirth or infant loss. The cool temperatures slow the natural changes that occur after death, which gives parents and families more time to process their loss. Loved ones can change the baby’s diaper, bathe their baby, or take photos.

The device is manufactured and used extensively in the United Kingdom to help grieving families, yet there are fewer than 1,000 in U.S. hospitals.

Leslie Burman also shared her story of infant loss. She and her husband Andrew’s first baby, Willow Irene, was stillborn at 40 weeks in June 2017. The couple used a CuddleCot™ that Ashlie’s Embrace had donated to the hospital where Willow was born. After Willow’s birth, the couple created the “Be Like the Willow” movement, which encourages friends and supporters to complete random acts of kindness in the month of October. To date, the movement has nearly 2,000 members across the nation and has raised more than $20,000—enough money for eight CuddleCots™.

Leslie Burman sharing her story

“I didn’t realize that in that moment, the saddest and happiest moment of my life as I looked at our newborn, that I would become so connected to that piece of equipment,” Leslie Burman said. “We hope the placement of these CuddleCots™ make an impact on someone’s life and family’s heart in a positive way, just like Ashlie’s Embrace provided for us with our daughter, Willow.”

Maroon said she is grateful the Burmans continue to give an incredible gift to others who will walk the same road.

“Leslie and Andrew have selflessly shared their story, their hearts and their talents to make sure other families have more time,” Maroon said. “They have been huge supporters of our mission, and we are truly honored to partner with them to keep Willow’s memory alive.”

You can watch a video of the donation presentation and hear stories from Erin Maroon and the Burmans on the Ashlie's Embrace Facebook page here.