MARIETTA, Ga — When Michele Mahony learned that garments like wedding gowns could be repurposed into burial clothing for infants, she said she knew it was something she had to do.
After experiencing two perinatal losses of her own and having a son born at 29 weeks who had to spend weeks in NICU, she said she closely identified with women and families who undergo such a loss, according to Wellstar Hospital.
So Mahony decided to collaborate with nurse Blanche Albin, also a seamstress, to make infant gowns.
"I knew I wanted to use my dress for this purpose, but I didn't have the ability to make the infant gowns," said Mahony, assistant nurse manager for the WellStar Douglas Hospital emergency department.
Albin took Mahony's dress and made about 20 infant outfits, including small wraps for premature infants, dresses in various sizes for different baby weights and little vests for boys.
Recognizing their commitment to families who suffer perinatal loss, WellStar awarded Albin and Mahony a Shining Team Award for Compassion.
"It meant a lot to me for WellStar to be able to offer these parents something special like this to help them through their loss," Mahony said. "They have such a small amount of time to spend with their babies; I couldn't think of any better way to use my wedding dress."
Since then, two other team members have donated their wedding dresses to be used for the infant gowns, but both women hope there will be many more donations.
"Thank you to those who sent in their wedding dresses and those who sent emails asking how to donate," Mahony said.
<span><span><span class="UFICommentBody"><span> "We are no longer accepting wedding dresses. Please consider donating your dress to </span><a class="profileLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.facebook.com/Rachels-Gift-149851578368383/?hc_location=ufi" target="_blank">Rachel's Gift."</a><br/><br/><span>Rachels Gift, Inc.</span><br/><span>922 Hwy 81 East PMB 153</span><br/><span>McDonough, GA 30252</span><br/><span>Help Line: 404-277-5334</span><br/><span>Email: info@rachelsgift.org</span></span></span></span>