Cuddle Cot:
Precious moments
for a grieving family
When Harper Posey
Bennetts was born
on June 13, 2015, she
lived 15 hours before
passing away in the
arms of her parents,
Lauren and Matt.
“I was 37 weeks pregnant when I was
admitted to the hospital,” Lauren said.
“We knew something wasn't right with
our daughter, but we had no idea that
we would leave the hospital without her.
From left to right: Terrill Johnson, Lauren Bennetts, Rhys Bennetts, Ethan Tanner and Amanda Tanner.
“When her umbilical cord was cut she
did not breathe. CPR was performed
on her for 17 minutes before she was
brought back.” Moments after dying, the human body
starts to deteriorate. In the case of
infants, it means parents have very little
time to say goodbye. Cuddle Cots have
a cooling device that preserves a baby
in a bassinet or crib, adding precious
moments for a grieving family.
Those moments without oxygen left
Harper brain dead. Lauren and Matt
made the painful decision to take her
off life support. On what would have been Harper’s
first birthday, Matt and Lauren asked
family and friends to help fund a Cuddle
Cot for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for
Women & Children. In 2017, Lauren and
her son, Rhys, came to the medical cen-
ter to present it to the staff. The Cuddle
Cot allows parents to spend up to five
days in a hospital room with their child.
“We will continue to raise money and
donate these in Harper’s honor,” Lauren
said. “We want families to be given
an option of having more time with
their baby.”
VO L U N T E E R E N D E AVO R : A L A ST I N G L E G A C Y
“My parents embraced volunteerism
and treasured their time and friends
at Pali Momi, especially those at Guest
Registration.” J O A N N E A B E
Pali Momi Medical Center celebrated
its history by remembering a couple
who dedicated 20 years to serving the
hospital. Robert and Janet Abe were
among 12 original volunteers when the
hospital opened its doors in 1989.
“When Pali Momi first opened, my
father was assigned to do the guided
tours,” daughter Joanne Abe said. “He
later worked in Guest Registration
to help patients check-in. M y mother
would open the Pali Momi Gift Shop
where she volunteered. Every Friday
was boldly marked on their calendar
as ‘volunteer day.’ Fridays were sacred
days to my parents.”
The Abe ‘ohana made a gift that honors
their parents’ spirit and belief in giving
back to the community. The Robert
and Janet Abe endowment will support
volunteer services and the cancer center
at Pali Momi. The Volunteer Services
Fund helps our community volunteers
do amazing work by providing wheel-
chairs, book carts and crafts to support
the healing process.
“A friend reminded me, ‘You celebrate a
person's life by remembering he or she
is still with you.’
“I celebrate my parents’ life every
day,” Joanne said.
Above: Joanne Abe with current and retired
volunteers of Pali Momi Medical Center, including
some who worked with her parents.
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