A SPECIAL birth suite for families experiencing pregnancy loss will be built at Cairns Hospital, thanks to the generous support of our community.
The special campaign undertaken by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has now reached its $200,000 goal with a final donation from Kenfrost Homes.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said the dedicated birth suite would be a healing sanctuary for women and families undergoing the heartbreak of pregnancy loss.
“For many expectant parents, pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation. However, for those facing the heartbreaking loss of a baby, support and understanding are crucial. The Butterfly Suite aims to provide a peaceful, private area for bereaved parents to grieve, create lasting memories, and receive the care they need,” Mrs Hogan said.
“This room will be a safe space, designed thoughtfully to feel less like a hospital and more like a comforting home, helping families through their difficult journey,” she said.
Funds have been raised thanks to the 2023 Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel, a record $38, 000 raised from Christmas Wrap at Cairns Central, Earlville Shopping Town and DFO Cairns, another record $100, 000 at Nu Nu Restaurant Melbourne Cup, and now the $40, 000 from Kenfrost Homes.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Midwifery/Nursing Director Mary McGuinness said she was incredibly excited to announce the successful completion of the campaign to raise money to equip one of our birth suites to properly support families experiencing stillbirth and pregnancy loss.
“Thanks to the hard work of our fabulous Foundation and the generosity of our donors, we will be able to provide essential resources and a truly comfortable area to women experiencing such heartbreaking moments. This project will make a huge difference to both the women experiencing loss but also the staff providing this care. The campaign will have a lasting impact, offering comfort and dignity at a time of enormous need and we thank you all for your unwavering support,” Mrs McGuinness said.
Funds raised will go towards the current room being completely refurbished and repainted in soft gentle colour palate with a lot of clinical equipment being removed and replaced with purpose-specific equipment.
The birthing bed will be replaced with a clinically suitable double bed, to allow for partners to stay and sleep in comfort with Mum.
A very special artwork has been commissioned which will enhance the entire unit but incorporate an additional and very specific art piece for this room.
“The work we are undertaking with these funds raised, will specifically create this special and very protected space for families experiencing loss but the artwork in particular will also enhance the feeling of the entire unit, and we are very excited about this,” she said.
Kenfrost Homes Marketing Coordinator Alex Loughton said the company was committed to supporting our community through a variety of initiatives.
“The Butterfly Suite offers mothers, couples and families a place to process and grieve unimaginable pain after the loss of a pregnancy,” Mr Loughton said.
"Safe clinical care will soon be delivered in a setting adorned with unique visuals from talented local artists contributing to additional warmth and healing at a difficult time,” he said.
Photo: Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Midwifery/Nursing Director Mary McGuinness explains the new birthsuite area to Foundation CEO Gina Hogan and Kenfrost Homes marketing coordinator Alex Loughton.
Below: Midwives Nerissa Ward, Nicole Peterson, Jo Taylor, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, midwife Martine Shanks, Kenfrost Homes’ Alex Loughton, midwife Mary McGuinness, Remya Nair.
