Our Advocacy

At Bridget’s Bunnies, our mission has always been bigger than a single moment of care.

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Advocacy at the Heart of Our Work

Improving the way hospitals and medical staff respond to, and help, those experiencing pregnancy or infant loss is central to our mission. One in four pregnancies end in loss, making this an experience lived through by thousands of individuals and families every year.

And yet, pregnancy and infant loss is still shrouded in stigma and shame, and people are often not encouraged to talk about their experience and loss. Without the right support, the feelings of loss and uncertainty can be exacerbated. An immensely difficult and sad situation can become even worse when medical staff don’t know what to say or how to engage with the person or family in front of them.

But with the right tools and training, medical staff can approach these situations with compassion and sensitivity. We are driving change in our community through education, training, and advocacy.

Our efforts are already making a huge difference. The more we normalize pregnancy and infant loss, the more we can lead systemic change to support families who are facing devastating loss and unimaginable grief.

After losing our daughter, it was hard to get the staff to engage with us or arrange an induction. We were handed a package on an old letterhead and pushed to the side with little consideration of our needs. This made an immensely difficult and sad situation even worse.

–Theresa and Mat, Co-founders of Bridget’s Bunnies

What We Advocate For

We are dedicated to raising awareness and driving change in how pregnancy and infant loss are understood and supported. Our advocacy focuses on ensuring families receive compassionate care, professionals have the right tools, and communities are equipped with the knowledge to respond with sensitivity.

Driving System-Level Change in Simcoe Muskoka

Since 2017, we’ve worked directly with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community partners to expand resources, improve care pathways, and strengthen supports for grieving parents. The growth of services in Simcoe Muskoka reflects years of quiet, persistent, collaborative advocacy informed by lived experience. Our focus has always been impact, and today, individuals and families across the region benefit from that steady work.

Elevating Lived Experience to Decision-Makers

We know systemic change requires courage at every level. That’s why we advocate directly with elected officials, helping keep pregnancy and infant loss visible in policy conversations. Our work includes supporting Shakhnoza Nasim in having her daughter’s story heard and contributing to the success of an Ontario Stillbirth Certificate. When a parent’s experience needs to be elevated to those in power, we help carry their voice forward.

Partnering with Healthcare Providers to Transform Care

Our ongoing advocacy includes active participation and leadership as co-chair of the Early Pregnancy Complications and Loss Taskforce within the Women and Children’s Health Network. Here we help ensure pregnancy and infant loss remain a priority within the region’s healthcare planning. We work closely with healthcare professionals, offering training, resources, and patient-experience insights. Our collaborations help shape trauma-informed, compassionate care pathways that reflect what patients truly need. These partnerships result in tangible improvements in programs, protocols, and support practices.

Our Impact

300

hours of training

10

Hospital Partners

22

Comfort Kit Providers

Comfort Kit Providers

    • Collingwood General Marine Hospital

    • Etobicoke General Hospital

      • Women and Children

    • Georgian Bay General Hospital

    • Norfolk General Hospital

    • Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital

      • Emergency Department

      • PACU

    • Stevenson Memorial Hospital

    • Almaguin Highlands Family Health Team

    • Hospice Simcoe

    • Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin

    • Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Bracebridge (SMMH)

    • Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Huntsville (HDMH)

    • North Muskoka NP-Led Clinic

    • Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre

    • West Parry Sound Health Centre

    • Collingwood Well Baby Clinic

    • Community Midwives of Ottawa

    • Midland Midwives by the Bay

    • Midwives of Muskoka

    • Christina’s Place

    • Envisage Pregnancy Services

    • Health Sciences North, Sudbury

      • Birthing Centre

    • Legacy Funeral and Cremation Services

    • Simcoe County CAPC/CPNP

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Our Community Effort That Depends on You

This is what systemic change looks like: steady, persistent, community-rooted work shaped by compassion and lived experience. And this is where our supporters make all the difference.

When you invest in Bridget’s Bunnies, you’re not only putting comfort into a parent’s hands during their moment of crisis. You’re helping transform the way our entire region understands, responds to, and supports those experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. Your generosity fuels advocacy, strengthens partnerships, and builds a future where no one endures loss alone.

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  • "As a labour and delivery nurse I have had the privilege and honour to be a part of many families most joyful moments, but have also stood beside families during their darkest times when a baby is lost far too soon. There are no words that can ease the pain of such a loss but what I have learned is that kindness, empathy and understanding are essential to grieving parents and the comfort kits supplied by Bridget's Bunnies allows families to capture precious memories and find support outside of the hospital setting."

    Melanie Ollerenshaw – Registered Nurse (Barrie)

  • "Before I knew about Bridget's Bunnies, I felt like I was missing something when caring for families going through pregnancy or infant loss. Having access to the comfort kits allows me to be confident that I am helping them in the best way possible, in the short time they have with their baby. The comfort kits allow staff to feel comfortable starting conversations, and providing care and memory keeping with the families we serve. I am so grateful we have access to the Comfort Kits in Sudbury, through our partnership program."

    Lianne – Registered Nurse and Doula (Sudbury)

  • “Working with Bridget’s Bunnies has been such a meaningful partnership. Their Comfort Kits and Little Loss Library offer families both gentle support and practical resources during an incredibly difficult time. They approach every initiative with such care and compassion, ensuring no one faces pregnancy or infant loss alone. We’re grateful to collaborate with an organization that makes such a difference for families in our community.”

    Natalie Kirby – Midwife (Collingwood)

  • "Just as important as the kits themselves is the education we receive as staff. Through training on how to compassionately and respectfully care for patients experiencing pregnancy loss, we’re empowered to approach these difficult moments with greater confidence and empathy. It helps ensure that no patient or family feels overlooked or alone in their grief. Together, the comfort kits and staff education have transformed how we care for families during one of the most heartbreaking experiences imaginable. They remind us that even in the most clinical of settings, compassion and human connection must come first. I truly believe every emergency department should have them."

    Samantha – Registered Nurse (Barrie)

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