Heartbreaking loss leads to generous donation

The Sautchuk family have managed to turn their grief of losing a child into a way to help others.

Lauren and Chris's son Luca was delivered stillborn earlier this year at Sunshine Hospital, after being diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia at 25-weeks.

Despite their heart-breaking loss, Lauren and Chris felt compelled to help others faced with a similar situation. By establishing a GoFundMe page they were able to raise $6,000 to purchase a cuddle cot for the Hospital.

A cuddle cot is a cooling system fitted into a small cot which allows babies who have passed away to stay with their family.

"There aren't any words to describe how the cuddle cot benefited us during this difficult time," says Lauren.

"It allowed us to form memories with Luca and spend some time with him. We were able to live with him for two days as our son before we had to say our final goodbye."

"To be able to help someone else do the same with their child is really overwhelming, it means a lot"

"It was amazing to see where the money was coming from, it wasn't just friends and family. It was people all over the world who had been through a similar situation."

Executive Director of Women's & Children's Service Adelle Mollo welcomes the cot donation.

"Cuddle cots gives grieving families of stillborn babies, the gift of time," says Adele.

"It is so inspiring that Lauren and Chris were able to channel their grief into something that will be of great help to other parents facing a similar situation."

(Story was first featured in the Brimbank StarWeekly on June 11, www.starweekly.com.au/news/lucas-memory-honoured/)

Photo: Joe Mastroianni, StarWeekly