ABOUT US

Turning Pain Into Hope
Here at Brooks’ Bereavement Bears, we want to be able to give women and families comfort as they’re going through the worst moment of their lives. Something so simple as a cuddly teddy bear with a heartfelt message of hope could be so helpful in their grief journey.
My hope is that our organization is used throughout Ohio hospitals and OBGYN offices and any women going through a loss gets a cuddly bear to hold.
Please contact me if you or someone you know needs a bear.
My Story
This journey began in the shadows of a personal tragedy. In April 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, I faced a devastating miscarriage at 9 weeks. The loneliness of that experience, heightened by the pandemic’s restrictions, left an indelible mark on my heart. I remember the overwhelming feeling of isolation as I sat alone in an Akron ER, receiving the heart-wrenching news over a phone call while my husband could only wait helplessly in the parking lot.
The following week, after undergoing a D&C, I was given a teddy bear by a family member. This small gesture became a source of immense comfort during the long, tear-filled nights that followed. Holding that bear, I felt a flicker of solace in my sea of grief.
Miraculously, a few months later, life blessed us again. We conceived our son Brooks, who would come to be known as our “Rainbow Baby” – a beautiful term used for a child born following a miscarriage. The night we discovered I was pregnant with Brooks, a full rainbow graced the sky as we left a restaurant. It felt like a divine message of hope and reassurance from the baby we lost, and from God.
Inspired by my own experience, I decided to replicate the gesture of giving bereavement bears. I began by donating teddy bears, each adorned with a pink and blue ribbon and a message of hope, to the hospital where I had my D&C. This small act of kindness was my way of reaching out to other women in their moments of profound loss, offering a symbol of empathy and shared understanding.
On April 5th, 2021, almost a year to the day after our loss, Brooks came into the world. His birth not only brought joy but also renewed my resolve to turn my bear-giving initiative into a full-fledged non-profit. In 2022, this dream became a reality when Brooks Bereavement Bears was officially recognized as a non-profit in Ohio.
Healing Partnerships:
Brooks’ Bereavement Bears Collaborates with Ohio Hospitals
We’ve partnered with prominent healthcare institutions like Cleveland Clinic Mercy, Aultman Hospital in Canton, and MVHC in Cambridge, Ohio, to reach more women in need of comfort and understanding.
Interested hospitals are warmly invited to join our mission at Brooks’ Bereavement Bears, as we strive together to bring solace to grieving mothers.