Volunteers needed to support grieving families after pregnancy loss

The baskets are to hold babies who have died in utero or shortly after birth when a baby’s skin is very frail, she explains.

They offer a much-needed barrier but still allow close contact between family members and the baby and they personalize and humanize an incredibly difficult and dark moment, says Stodalka.

She adds some people use the baskets for burial purposes and others keep them as a keepsake.

“It’s more so just a nice memento to let them know that someone is thinking about them and that they’re not alone,” she said.

Stodalka herself knows all too well what that feels like, and says one in four women experience the same loss.

“As someone who has been through this type of loss, I know how tough it can be to go through this and it’s definitely helpful to know there’s a community out there that’s thinking about you and that it’s very common.”

Medicine Hat is the hub Alberta city for all the baskets. Stodalka says every basket made in Alberta will be transported here to herself, Quintin and Braun, and they will package the baskets for distribution to hospitals throughout Alberta.

The website twinklestarproject.com has more information and the Twinkle Star Project Facebook page has tutorials on how to make the baskets and patterns.

“We’re looking for as many volunteers as possible because we need as many baskets as we can get to send to all the hospitals in Alberta,” says Stodalka.

The Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation has arranged to have the Saamis Tepee lit pink and blue this week for Perinatal Loss Awareness Month, which is October.

The foundation has also organized a Walk to Remember on Sunday at Police Point Park, where people can walk at their leisure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also have an “In Memory” sign made for the park by registering in advance.

by Chris Brown

Volunteers needed to support grieving families after pregnancy loss

Our Community