After sadly losing her baby boy Koa in 2023, Jessica Joyce is growing an online community which is dedicated to supporting parents whose babies are receiving care and treatment, or who have lost a child.
Jessica’s Facebook group, Koa’s Comforts, encourages supporters to create and donate gifts which will bring comfort to parents, and now has over 500 members.
Jessica, who lives in Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, with her partner Caine, said: “After a difficult pregnancy, Koa was born prematurely on 4th May 2023 at just 29 weeks and sadly passed away shortly after his birth.
“Koa, meaning ‘warrior’, was exactly what he was: he fought for us the whole way and we intend to keep his memory alive in everything we do to honour him.
“We had no small-enough items for Koa to wear so I decided to start the group so that we can help bring comfort to parents during their hospital stays and beyond as we know how important these items are, and the memories they hold.”
Jessica set up the Koa’s Comforts Facebook group in December 2023 with the aim of providing multiple hospitals and funeral homes with the comfort items for parents, including the Special Care Baby Unit in Glangwili Hospital.
After contacting hospitals to see if there is anything specific they may need or like, Jessica then posts requests in the group.
“Ladies from all over have sent in items they have created for donation, with parcels arriving weekly,” Jessica said. “I sort and store all the wonderful creations in my son’s forever bedroom which brings me much comfort as I enjoy spending time in there with his things. They are then packaged up and delivered to where they are needed.
“Starting the group and knowing we are doing something positive in our Son’s name is so rewarding. I also have so many supporters tell me how they feel a purpose in helping and can't wait to make more creations for us.
“Spreading the love we have for Koa by supporting others has given us much-needed purpose.”
Sandra Pegram, Unit Manager at the Special Care Baby Unit in Glangwili Hospital, said: “We are so grateful for the donated items from Jessica’s group and we can’t thank Jessica and her supporters enough. These donated items mean so much to parents whose babies are receiving care in the Unit, and also to staff. Little acts of kindness can make such a difference.”
Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University health Board, said: “On behalf of all our services and parents who benefit from the donations from Koa’s Comforts, we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you. Charitable donations such as these can have such a positive impact on the experiences of patients, their families and staff. Diolch yn fawr.”
To join the Koa’s Comforts Facebook group, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1427425604850466
For more details about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk