Local couple donates CuddleCots to comfort grieving parents

A couple is turning their grief into something incredible with an incredible act of generosity.

After enduring the heartbreak of losing three children, Angel and Garrett Carter have made it their mission to provide the gift of time to grieving parents.

“Back in 2021, we got pregnant through IVF. It was our second transfer... everything was going really great with our pregnancy,” said the Carters.

But that joy was short-lived for Angel and Garrett Carter. At just 20 weeks, their world was shattered. Angel went into labor, far too early. Their son Nolan lived for just an hour before passing away.

It was the beginning of a heartbreaking pattern. Angel and Garrett experienced two more pregnancies, and two more precious babies lost. Each one, Nolan, Brooklyn, and Grant, taken before their time.

“We went through this a couple times, twice with the CuddleCot, once without,” the Carters said.

The CuddleCot is a small device that no parent wants to need. But for those who do need it, it’s invaluable.

It helps preserve a baby’s body, allowing families more time to say goodbye.

“We were able to spend time with him and hold him and sing to him and just spend the night with him,” said Angel.

The couple learned their CuddleCot was donated by a family who went through the same situation.

“That sparked the idea that if this family donated a Cuddlecot, can we do something?” Garrett said.

They set up a GoFundMe, hoping to raise $1,000 to help cover part of the cost of a CuddleCot and help other parents facing the same unimaginable pain. The response was overwhelming.

“Within a couple weeks of losing him, we got close to $10,000 which is amazing,” said Angel.

With those funds, they donated CuddleCots to hospitals in Berlin and Shawano. They want to give other parents the chance to make those precious memories, to have just a little more time.

“A lot of times, this is the only time a family will get with their baby,” said Rachel Utecht, a registered nurse with ThedaCare.

For Angel and Garrett, the memories may be painful, but they are grateful for every single one. And now, thanks to them, more families will have that time.

“It’s the memories you get for the rest of your life because you’re not making new ones,” said Angel.