Canadian Registered Charity · Est. 2018

Giving Families
the Gift
of Time

The Maxwell George Fleming Foundation provides CuddleCots™ to hospitals across Canada, so bereaved families can spend precious time with their infant after loss.

Most hospitals in Canada still do not have access to a CuddleCot™. Your support changes that.

Give the Gift of Time Our Story
Maxwell George Fleming Foundation
Charity No. 743130080 RR 0001
13 CuddleCots Placed
7+ Years of Service
∞ Families Supported

Our Story

Maxwell George
Fleming

The foundation is inspired by Maxwell. He was born on February 23rd, 2017 and lived for 6 minutes. His death was unexpected and devastating for his family, including his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all who loved him.

"We did not get the lifetime of memories we expected, but we will be forever grateful for those extra days we had with him."

Maxwell’s mother, Jessica, delivered him at a hospital that had a CuddleCot, a cooling system that allows families to have time with their baby before saying goodbye. That gift of time was immeasurable.

In honor of Maxwell, the foundation strives to provide as many hospitals as possible with CuddleCots, so that all families experiencing this devastating loss have the opportunity to spend more time with their child should they choose to do so.

Maxwell George Fleming Foundation Logo
Feb 23, 2017

About the Foundation

Mission &
Vision

Every family in Canada deserves the opportunity to say hello before they say goodbye. That belief drives everything we do.

Our Mission

The Maxwell George Fleming Foundation's mission is to provide hospitals in Canada with CuddleCot™ systems, which allow bereaved families experiencing the loss of an infant the ability to spend more physical time with their child.

Our Vision

To ensure all hospitals in Canada have access to a CuddleCot™ to offer to families experiencing infant loss so that no family is denied this profound and healing gift of time.

Understanding

What is a
CuddleCot™?

What is a CuddleCot™?

A CuddleCot is a cooling system that allows families to remain with their baby before transfer to the morgue or funeral home. The cooling pad sits within a Moses basket that can stay in the parents' room or travel with them as needed.

Why would a bereaved family want to use one?

They may not and that is entirely valid. However, having the choice is incredibly important. The pain and shock of losing a baby is devastating. No one can predict how they will feel. Having the time to decide if, when, and how long they want to be with their child is a choice every family deserves.

Don't all hospitals have one?

Unfortunately, no. Only a select few hospitals across Canada currently have a CuddleCot™ on hand. This greatly limits the time many families are able to spend with their infant. By providing more hospitals with this technology, we give more families access to precious, irreplaceable time.

Research & Compassion

The Benefit
of Time

Parents are psychologically and biologically primed to bond with and nurture their newborn after childbirth. Even after a death, spending time with the baby's body can offer meaningful therapeutic benefits over the course of several days.

01

Spending time with their baby allows parents to say hello before saying goodbye, easing the transition from anticipation to grief.

02

It gives parents the opportunity to become acquainted with their baby, rendering this child more real offering memories of love and opportunities to gather keepsakes.

03

Parents can express their love in tangible ways examining features, noticing family resemblances, bathing, dressing, and simply being present with their child.

04

Caring for their baby's needs offers parents a sense of competence and authority, counteracting the feelings of failure and helplessness that so often accompany loss.

05

The gift of time allows parents to find their own way to do what is most meaningful without feeling rushed, and to let memories form clearly rather than through a hazy fog.

06

Having their baby for an extended period enables parents to invite family and friends to meet their little one, cultivating shared memories and surrounding themselves with love and support.

07

When parents set the pace for saying goodbye, rather than having it dictated by hospital or logistical constraints, it offers a profound sense of control that can minimize the trauma of letting go.

08

Choosing when to part with their baby's physical body on their own terms and timeline gives families the space to reach a place of gentle readiness.

Davies, Deborah (2014, March 3). Providing After Death Care At Home When A Baby Dies. Psychology Today.

Our Impact

Cots Placed
by MGFF

From Ontario to Nova Scotia, every CuddleCot represents a family given the gift of more time with their child.

01

Georgian Bay General Hospital

Midland, ON

02

Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Peterborough, ON

03

Headwaters Health Centre

Orangeville, ON

04

Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital

Oakville, ON

05

Humber River Hospital

Toronto, ON

06

Brampton Civic Hospital

Brampton, ON

07

Cape Breton Regional Hospital

Cape Breton, NS

08

Etobicoke General Hospital

Etobicoke, ON

09

Roger Neilson Children's Hospice

Ottawa, ON

10

Scarborough Health Network

Scarborough, ON

11

Ottawa General Hospital

Ottawa, ON

12

Hôpital Montfort

Ottawa, ON

13

Milton District Hospital

Milton, ON

Get In Touch

Contact
Us

Whether you'd like to make a donation, request a CuddleCot for your hospital, or simply learn more about our work, we'd love to hear from you.

The Maxwell George Fleming Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, committed to supporting bereaved families across the country.

100% of donations go directly toward placing CuddleCots in hospitals across Canada.

Request a CuddleCot