Emma's Fund

Emma’s Fund (and Emma's Owls), named in honor of our daughter who was stillborn, has been created to help families that are navigating through their grief after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.  Our first goal for this fund is to cover the costs associated with having the professional photographs of the baby (or babies) printed and then delivered directly to the bereaved family’s home. 

Our second goal for Emma’s Fund is to underwrite educational lectures to local nursing students on compassionate caregiving after a baby dies at any point during pregnancy or after birth.  With the exception of Carol McMurrich's talk, there is often very little education offered to nursing students regarding how to provide care for families experiencing perinatal loss. It is her (and our) hope that by sharing with them real stories from real families, students will recall her words when they are faced with a family who is experiencing the death of their baby. Carol currently speaks to nursing students at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and at American International College in Springfield. Emma’s Fund will help support these lectures and allow Carol to expand her audience by eventually reaching out to more of the local nursing schools throughout the area.

Our firstborn child, Emma Elizabeth, unexpectedly and inexplicably died during labor on the morning of December 8, 2014 at 38.5 weeks gestation. She was 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 20 inches long.  Her skin was flawless and so soft.  Her ears were so delicate and perfect, her fingers were so long, and she had big feet for such a tiny girl. Her nose and lips formed the most precious profile.  She was just so beautiful to look at.  She was absolutely perfect.  All of her grandparents and many other family members got the opportunity to hold her and spend time with her.  Everyone celebrated her. Even in our time of utter despair, knowing that we weren’t allowed to keep her, she was celebrated.  She is loved so much and spoken of so often.

The hospital staff supported us by arranging a meeting with Carol through the Empty Arms Peer Companion Program. Carol provided us with tremendous support during the immediate aftermath of our daughter’s death and the Empty Arms community continues to support us as the months pass.  The mementos created by the hospital staff have become our most valuable possessions, especially the professional photographs that were taken by photographer Erin Long.  One thing we have always wanted to instill in our children is the importance of serving others and giving back to the community.  We believe that this fund is Emma’s way of doing just that.