After unfortunately experiencing a stillbirth earlier this year, Colyton mum Elvira Nikolaou is aiming to raise awareness and funds to ensure other women in her position have access to cuddle cots.
Nikolaou said that the stillbirth of her son Leon Alexander due to a rare type of fetomaternal hemorrhage came out of nowhere.
“At 32 weeks, I felt reduced movement, presented to the hospital, and there was no heartbeat,” she said.
Initially, she was given a cuddle cot from Bears of Hope, allowing her to have a memorial service in the hospital, as well as taking it home to spend time with her baby.
But, after her experience was plagued by negativity due to a lack of cuddle cots for those in need, Nikolaou is now aiming to raise money to donate a new one in her son’s memory.
“I feel like it would be nice to have something in my son’s legacy, just for other parents going through what I’ve gone through, so they can have a little bit more time with their kid,” she said.
Nikolaou is also aiming to raise awareness of breast milk donation, having just returned from a road trip which saw her donate milk to those in need from Victoria, to South Australia and Western Australia.
“Through the Red Cross, you can donate breast milk for babies. I’m still expressing milk now,” she said.
To donate to the fundraiser, go online and visit https://bit.ly/47KFUBk.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.