Read the whole Facebook post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jngGYRihYiY5XjgV/
"Meet Gemma. Born in Charlotte in 2021, she lived just 48-hours inside the Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital's NICU. Her mom wrote #MollysKids, wanting you to know more about what is happening now in this little girl's memory.
“We’ve struggled with infertility and depression, and our families experienced cancer and divorce, all in the last three years,” says Ally Shaw, Gemma’s mom. “Gemma was our hope and dream for some happiness, and it ended in losing her life, crushing everything. We've never been the same.”
Take a moment after reading that paragraph. I did.
Now go on, because Ally has positive to share.
Ally and her support network have turned her daughter’s life into an organization to keep Gemma’s legacy alive.
“We started Gemma's Hope in 2022 to provide practical resources and hope to parents grieving the loss of a pregnancy or baby,” she said. “We support local hospitals with rolling carts filled with memoirs, books, and relevant information about life after loss and where to find support. Things like KinderMourn, and WakeMed's Mother's Milk Bank to donate your pumped breastmilk.”
That latter group. Ever heard of it? I hadn't. It's something most wouldn’t think about until faced with giving birth, having your milk ready, but having no baby after two days.
“I did that for several months after Gemma,” Ally said. “Another mother and baby were able to benefit. There’s more on our website about that as well, www.gemmas-hope.com.”
This summer, Ally and her organization will be placing book carts in various North Carolina hospitals (through both Atrium Health and Novant Health), including many in the Charlotte-area. Every book cart is named in memory and honor of a child. In nearly 15-years of #MollysKids, I’ve never had a request like this… but Ally would like names of children whose families might want to name a book cart after their child, and create that lasting legacy.
“We try to connect with local bereaved families to be involved with the fundraising and dedication of the book carts,” she said. “We are going to be placing several book carts this summer in nine hospitals. If any #MollysKids families would want to learn more about having their sweet babies remembered this way, we'd love to hear from them.
So, if you’re interested, email mollyskids@mollygrantham.com. Put “Gemma’s Hope” in the subject line. I’ll forward your email to Ally. She can take it from there.
The nine hospitals receiving carts this summer are:
Novant Health:
- Huntersville
- New Hanover
- Ballantyne
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Forsyth
Atrium Health:
- Pineville
- Union West
- Union
Again, more about the charity at www.gemmas-hope.com
Few more pictures below."
-Molly