Children’s Hospital Foundation has funded Queensland Children’s Hospital’s first-ever ‘Cuddle Bed, giving families facing the unimaginable the chance to simply be together during end-of-life care.
Designed to allow parents and loved ones to lie beside a child during palliative care, the cuddle bed creates space for comfort, closeness and connection when every moment matters.
This compassionate gift was made possible thanks to Kalbar Sunflower Festival Founder, Jenny Jenner, who donated $24,000 to the Foundation from the proceeds of sunflower sales.
A legacy of care
After losing her husband to cancer, Ms Jenner became committed to helping other families facing life’s most difficult moments, ensuring they have the opportunity to spend precious time together.
Her generosity, together with the dedicated volunteers who spent countless hours cutting and selling sunflowers at this year’s Festival, has funded one of Queensland Children’s Hospital’s most compassionate pieces of equipment.
This marks the eighth cuddle bed Ms Jenner has funded for palliative care wards throughout Southeast Queensland.
“Our community has shown that something as simple as a sunflower can help provide comfort, connection and precious moments for families when they need it most,” Ms Jenner said.
“After losing Russell, I know just how important those final moments together are. Not being able to have one last cuddle was heart wrenching and I want others to have this chance, and knowing our volunteers and visitors have helped make that possible for other families is incredibly special.”
Making precious moments possible
Every year, approximately 3,700 families with a child or young person with a life-limiting condition travel to Queensland Children’s Hospital for specialised care.
It’s during these times that the ability to be close to one another can provide immense comfort.
Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Lyndsey Rice, says the cuddle bed is more than just a piece of equipment – it’s an opportunity for children to feel the comfort, love and reassurance of their family’s embrace at a time when it’s needed most.
“At the Children’s Hospital Foundation, we’re committed to funding the hospital’s greatest areas of need, and we’re incredibly proud to partner with the Kalbar Sunflower Festival to fund Queensland Children’s Hospital’s first cuddle bed,” said Ms Rice.
“Together, we’re ensuring more families can spend precious moments together with comfort, dignity and love during the most difficult time imaginable.”
If you would like to contribute to the vital equipment and wrap-around care young patients and families in hospital need, make a donation today.
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