Mum's heartache at loss of premature son born at 29 weeks

After losing baby boy Koa in 2023, Jessica Joyce has since been nurturing an online community named Koa’s Comforts, devoted to helping parents whose babies are undergoing care and treatment, or who have suffered the loss of a child.

Koa’s Comforts, facilitated via Facebook, is a platform where people are invited to create and donate gifts meant to bring solace to parents in their times of need.

The community has grown since December 2023, with more than 500 members to date.

Some of the outfits donated (Image: Hywel Dda Health Charities)

Ms Joyce, who lives with partner Caine, said: "After a difficult pregnancy, Koa was born prematurely on May 4, 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."

During her devastating hospital stint, Ms Joyce discovered that there were no small-enough items for Koa to wear.

This inspired the inception of her group.

She said: "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."

Since establishing Koa’s Comforts, she has connected with hospitals and funeral homes, contributing comfort items particularly earmarked for parents.

After discerning their needs, she coordinates requests through the Facebook group.

The items are made to provide comfort (Image: Hywel Dda Health Charities)

She said: "Ladies from all over have sent in items they have created for donation, with parcels arriving weekly. 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."

Unit manager at the Special Care Baby Unit in Glangwili Hospital, Sandra Pegram, said: "We are so grateful for the donated items from Jessica’s group and we can’t thank Jessica and her supporters enough.

"Little acts of kindness can make such a difference."