Miami Valley Hospital Foundation Opens Butterfly Room to Support Grieving Families
DAYTON, Ohio (July 17, 2024) – Miami Valley Hospital opened the Butterfly Room near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Berry Women’s Center. The new space is designed to offer support to parents and families facing the death of their infant.
The Butterfly Room was developed following the experience of Sarah and Rob Chaney in November 2021. As they awaited the arrival of their daughter, Georgia Rae, their joy turned to sorrow when they learned that Georgia had passed away in the womb just days before her due date.
Georgia entered the world sleeping on December 2, 2021, at Miami Valley Hospital, leaving her family grappling with profound grief. In those initial days of mourning, the Chaneys, along with their two young boys, tried to cherish every moment with their baby amidst the bittersweet backdrop of a bustling maternity ward.
In the days following, Sarah discovered a bereavement room at a Texas hospital designed to support parents facing similar heartbreak. Inspired by this vision, the Chaneys began a campaign to bring a bereavement space for grieving parents to Southwest Ohio.
"The Butterfly Room is a testament to the love and legacy of our daughter, Georgia,” said Sarah Chaney. “It's a place where families can find comfort and create cherished memories - away from the sounds of women laboring healthy babies and families celebrating.”
In partnership with the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation, the Butterfly Room is located steps away from the NICU. It offers families facing the terminal diagnosis of their infant a space of comfort and connection during their darkest hours.
Inside the Butterfly Room, families will find more than just physical comforts; they'll discover a space where precious moments can be cherished, and memories can be forged. The room features a crib, an armoire filled with baby clothes and blankets, a baby bath, and comfortable seating, providing a home-like environment where families can embrace the fleeting time they have with their child. Additionally, the Butterfly Room offers invaluable support resources, from educational materials to compassionate guidance.
“The Butterfly Room offers invaluable resources, empowering families to navigate their grief journey with strength and resilience,” said Melissa Merritt, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, system vice president of women’s services at Premier Health. “We're grateful to the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation for making this vision a reality that will support grieving parents and families in our community.”
The opening of the Butterfly Room marks a significant milestone in the journey toward specialized care for bereaved parents in Southwest Ohio, ensuring that no family has to face their loss alone.
"The opening of the Butterfly Room represents a profound step forward in how we support families experiencing the devastating loss of a child," said Beth Hutter, vice president of the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation. "We are deeply grateful to our community and generous donors whose support has made this space possible.”
For more information about the Butterfly Room or to support this initiative, please contact the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation at (937) 208-2700.
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