I was born and raised in Corner Brook. Growing up, I often baked cupcakes for Palliative Care's Friday Tea, regularly volunteered at Long Term Care throughout high school, and donated to the Palliative Care Art Cart. I originally started this project when I was in Grade 12. I am currently attending York University in Toronto, but I am continuing this project because I remain passionate that all patients on Palliative Care have access to a Cuddle Bed.

For many in Palliative Care, the hospital bed is a huge barrier to comfort. The rails of a small bed make it difficult for families to feel connected. A Cuddle Bed is a larger hospital bed that comfortably fits two people. It allows a loved one to lay with a patient during their end-of-life care. A Cuddle Bed costs approximately $18,000. With an original fundraising goal of $10,000 a commitment from Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, Newfoundland to contribute the remaining costs, we blew our initial fundraising goal out of the water. On March 29th, 2018 the fundraising total of $22,215 was officially announced. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the Western Memorial Regional Hospital Foundation agreed to top up the funds in order to make the purchase of two Cuddle Beds possible. In the summer of 2018, the two Cuddle Beds arrived and have been in use since. The new Palliative Care Unit opened in June of 2020 and moved from an 8-bed unit to a 15-bed facility. 5 additional Cuddle Beds were secured, bringing the total number of Cuddle Beds to 7 out of 15! However, I strongly believe that every bed in Palliative Care should be a Cuddle Bed, and I move forward with the aim of realizing that goal.

It is thanks to the support of this generous community that we continue to exceed our fundraising goals.

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If you wish to read more about the success of The Cuddle Bed Project, head here to read about the Cuddle Beds in the news. Thank you for your interest in this project!

Sophie Peckford